Hi, now that these bracelets have been out for a couple of years does anyone have any long term opinions as to whether the straight end lug version or the horned end lug version is a better fit on a 1861 case shape Speedmaster?

I remember a couple years back people kept saying the horned shape one scratches and damages the lugs - I'm looking to buy either one in the next few days and can't really decide which shape is better.

 

If you get the straight end you can use it on a wider range of watches.

 

In my opinion, I believe the horned end pieces are aesthetically more pleasing on the Speedmaster case. The rounded ends follow the curve of the bezel more nicely than the straight end pieces but you can't go wrong with either style on the Speedmaster. I'd go with the look that is most pleasing to you and enjoy the bracelet.

If any damage is going to be done to the case, and I think it has been magnified here at times, both styles would likely cause it. My observation is that any damage I've seen is more likely to occur when the bracelet is used on a 19mm lug opening because the end pieces expand right up against the lug interior. The rubbing on the 20mm Speedmaster lug width is less pronounced. I wear my JB Champion daily on one of my Speedmasters and have observed no damage.

 

I had the strait and gave it to a friend. I prefer the horned.

 

This has been magnified many times, obviously but it did scratch the case. I tried the dots they included but they fell off. I have not worn the bracelet much since, however I do like the look and feel. It also has this little nub on the middle of the bracelet that rubbed the case too.

 

My July 1997 Speedmaster 1861 chronograph on an original 1964 Jacoby Bender Champion steel mesh bracelet during a visit to the atelier of Belgian artist Paul Van Hoeydonck who was the creator of the "Fallen Astronaut" artwork/memorial figurine place on the Moon on August 2, 1971 by Apollo 15 commander David Scott near the final parking space of the first Lunar Rover Vehicle used on the Moon...
Holding one of a few remaining versions of that amazing artwork !
(Photo: MoonwatchUniverse)
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Interesting. Did you use the re-issue, or the original one? Horned or straight end? Were you doing repetitive work with your wrists over a long period of time? It seems like it would take a pronounced rotation of those end-pieces To cause that much damage.

 

Similar thing happened to me during normal wear. I have the reissue with horned ends.

 

Hmmm…can anyone weigh in if the edge finish on the re-issue is possibly more abrasive than the original? And I assume you were using 20mm with 20mm, or 19mm with 19mm, not 20mm on 19mm?

 

Yes, 20mm on 20mm. Could be that the finishing is rougher or maybe it’s that I have smaller wrists (16cm) and so the end links rotate more freely throughout the day even though I wear it snug. Would be interesting to hear from others.

I can’t take better pictures atm but I have these two on my phone that show the bracelet.

 

I dont know what version it was but it was bought a few years ago. I only wore it for maybe 3-4 weeks and it got like that, nothing out of the ordinary - I have a desk job. Horned edge

 

I bought a horned link one - short length and thebold fashioned 16mm version.

Sort of agreed with what other people said, it looks like the straight edge version looks more like general style to fit many watches and the horned one looks almost like it was made for the Speedmaster.

Looking back at old NASA photos it was practically a 60/40 split between which style astronauts wore - with maybe every so slightly more wearing the horned version.

 

Enjoy the new bracelet. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Your observation is correct and I would even put the use of the horned end pieces slightly higher than 60%. The horned end piece appears to be the predominant style used during Gemini and Apollo and even into early shuttle flights.

 

I have some of the old JB Champion bracelets, I think both look good, the straight and curved. It is the look of the mesh bracelet and the comfort of wearing them, that I like the most. Especially on hot summer days.

 

Anybody like the komfit more then the 3861 bracelet?