Omega "Holzer" Bracelet --I'm a Believer!

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Uncle Seiko

·Sep 26, 2019

Many of you were helping me in my quest to reproduce a couple of vintage bracelets for the Speedmaster so that we can have some options. I decided upon two to start with, the 1039 Flat Link and the Mexican "Holzer." Well, I mentioned in another thread (Need Input for Speedmaster Bracelet Design) at how underwhelmed I was by the weight of the 1039, and couldn't believe I just paid so much for a bracelet. Since I didn't have the proper end-links I wasn't able to wear that one but am using it for measurement purposes.

Yesterday I received this Holzer and again, underwhelmed by how light and flimsy it felt. That is, until I put it on! Wow, one of the most comfortable bracelets I have ever worn. I make a bracelet called the Razorwire and that is my go to for maximum comfort, but this one could be in competition with it!

A few pictures to show it off. I would like to improve the end-links and I assume the middle beads are to be polished and the rest (besides the sides) brushed. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

 

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JwRosenthal

·Sep 26, 2019

Welcome to the wonderful world of vintage bracelets. Everyone is so used to the massive and heavy bracelets that come with todays watches (heavy must mean quality), that when they feel a vintage bracelet they think it feel cheap (aka folded link Rolex bracelet). But they truly are comfortable and easy to wear. I have a Marathon that is in insanely well made watch, the factory bracelet is a solid hunk of steel, its thick, heavy, engineering at its best- my arm is an inch longer after a day of wearing it. Put on a Zodiac with a 1961 stretch-link rivet bracelet the next day and it feels like a piece of tin in comparison, but you forget its even on your wrist. Granted- a light and thin bracelet on a current prod 7750 based watch measuring in at 15mm+ thick would flop around, but on a slimmer vintage piece (Speedy is slim and light in comparison to any modern Chrono I know of) they are heaven.

 

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BlackTalon

·Sep 26, 2019·This Space for Rent

I definitely do not equate weight with quality, as a well-calculated design should result in a bracelet that is as light as possible for the anticipated loads that will be applied to it (plus a factor of safety). My '67 Speedmaster came with a Holzer, and I find it very comfortable and appreciate the lightness. The Omega bracelet on my Planet Ocean is the opposite -- it weight a ton (relatively). But that weight is helpful in balancing the top-heavy load of the watch itself.

There is nothing wrong with a light bracelet as long as it is designed for the job. Finish is probably the most important aspect after strength, as that affects the comfort a lot in my opinion.

 

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wagudc

·Sep 26, 2019

If this bracelet has the original finish, you are correct. See:
https://lunaroyster.com/product/1983-omega-speedmaster-moonwatch-145-022-on-holzer-omega-bracelet-2/

 

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JwRosenthal

·Sep 26, 2019

I'l take one of those. Can we ask for that in an 18 or 19 as well??😗

 

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wagudc

·Sep 26, 2019

This is even better:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/holzer-speedmaster-bracelet-366-822-bracelet.38352/

 

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whyboddau

·Sep 26, 2019

Yes! This would be a great one to see remade!

 

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vienna

·Sep 27, 2019

The ones for the Speedmaster are becoming rare these days. Got one one my Speedmaster Mk 2. They are great to wear and also look better than than the 1162 but not as pretty as a 1159 in my opinion.

Kind regards Max

 

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Uncle Seiko

·Jun 17, 2020

I have the Holzer with Brushed/Polished now available.

 

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machamp6650

·Jun 18, 2020

Love these holzer bracelets! So just to confirm, was there consensus whether the original Omega version had the alternating polished beads? I've been through a number of online resources and the finish seems to vary across Omega examples - although of course that could just be the polish degrading over decades of use...

Keen to buy one of the uncle seiko versions but really torn about the finish options!

 

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JwRosenthal

·Jun 18, 2020

machamp6650

Love these holzer bracelets! So just to confirm, was there consensus whether the original Omega version had the alternating polished beads? I've been through a number of online resources and the finish seems to vary across Omega examples - although of course that could just be the polish degrading over decades of use...

Keen to buy one of the uncle seiko versions but really torn about the finish options!

Cross posting here - I got the polished one a few says ago with both 19 &20mm endlinks to try one a few watches- now I need to order a second one- the mix of finishes compliments any watch with brushed& polished.

 

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Longbow

·Oct 16, 2020

This thread has gone little quite, so I would also like express how much I like the Uncle Seiko Mexico Holzer bracelet; it has displaced the Omega 1450 on my regular Speedy. The fully brushed version still has polished flanks to the outer links which give it that extra little touch....nice (and comfortable too).

 

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Uncle Seiko

·Oct 16, 2020

The Holzer is my personal favorite. The slowest seller of the 4 I offer, but I think the coolest! 😀

 

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JwRosenthal

·Oct 16, 2020

Uncle Seiko

The Holzer is my personal favorite. The slowest seller of the 4 I offer, but I think the coolest! 😀

Agreed- I think it has tremendous untapped potential and now that it's being offered in 18mm as well, we may see it realized.
I constantly get compliments from vintage watch nuts on the factory bracelet that came with my early 60's Zodiac

Look familiar?

 

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seikoskar

·Nov 23, 2020

You guys probably already knew this, but the Holzer end-links fits the seamaster 2531.80 perfect. Great bracelet and adds som grace to the Seamaster, compared to the non-tapered Bond Bracelet.

 

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JwRosenthal

·Nov 23, 2020

seikoskar

You guys probably already knew this, but the Holzer end-links fits the seamaster 2531.80 perfect. Great bracelet and adds som grace to the Seamaster, compared to the non-tapered Bond Bracelet.

That bracelet took that watch to a new level- I never cared for the factory bracelet on that one.

 

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KingCrouchy

·Nov 23, 2020

seikoskar

You guys probably already knew this, but the Holzer end-links fits the seamaster 2531.80 perfect. Great bracelet and adds som grace to the Seamaster, compared to the non-tapered Bond Bracelet.

You answered the question I had for a while...now I’m going to have to buy it.

 

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JwRosenthal

·Nov 23, 2020

KingCrouchy

You answered the question I had for a while...now I’m going to have to buy it.

Don’t forget you can also get 19mm endlinks so you can play on other watches- and he just released an 18mm model as well

 

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Uncle Seiko

·Nov 23, 2020

Also, having a sale later this week. 100% of the proceeds go to charity.

 

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JwRosenthal

·Nov 23, 2020

Uncle Seiko

Also, having a sale later this week. 100% of the proceeds go to charity.

😒...great, now I’m gonna have to spend money on a good cause....