(Sort of) 5 Speedmaster Bracelets Reviewed

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Did you spot the proper Omega spring bars? They are way nicer than most of the generic ones and easily identifiable
Sure did. Squared edges on the main bar. I have a stack of these in ever so slightly differing sizes, I bought around 10 years ago, though struggling to measure exactly to apply the appropriate part number. This info helps.
 
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@crumbsnatcher74, some combinations work, some don’t. let’s compare the Omega 1450, 1040 and Forstner.

First up it’s a devil of a job to remove the full clasp from the Omega 1040 and the Forstner, so it’s not a 100% swap that we are talking about, only the outer clasp covers. The Omega 1450 however can be fully separated, with ease, from the bracelet sections.

You can mount an Omega 1040 outer clasp cover onto a Forstner Flatlink inner clasp hinge because both clasps latch the same way and are essentially the same dimensions.


You can mount the Omega 1040 outer clasp onto an Uncle Seiko (Flatlink or Mexico Holzer) because the US clasps actually latch via their own inner clasp hinge component, so the outer cover doesn’t really play any role in latching.



It might look like you could mount an Omega 1450 outer cover on the Forstner Flatlink inner hinge but it will not latch, i.e. this is not a successful combination.


This is how a Omega 1450 latches; it’s similar to the Uncle Seiko hinge latch.
 
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@Longbow A big Thank You for the detailed post and pictures. That really helps. Now, it's time to see if I can find a 1040 clasp to purchase.
 
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It’s not so much a 1040 that you need, that is the bracelet code, there is another number on the clasp and this identifies the clasp type, in the example used a type 12.

I think this clasp (or something very similar) is used on several bracelets. I can’t remember the service replacement bracelet code at the moment, but when it comes back to me I’ll let you know.

If you are feeling bored you could look at the Omega bracelet data sheets here.
 
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What a great comparison you have here. The word "comprehensive" comes to mind. Thank you for taking the time!

Incidentally, I have not heard any complaints about the end-links not mounting. Since the hollow ends are malleable, just press a bit and move the bracelet around and it should pop right in. Sometimes I will just take a small screwdriver and press the end of the spring bar until it pops into place. I do that with all kinds of bracelets, not just mine.

Again, well done! 👍
 
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@crumbsnatcher74, some combinations work, some don’t. let’s compare the Omega 1450, 1040 and Forstner.

First up it’s a devil of a job to remove the full clasp from the Omega 1040 and the Forstner, so it’s not a 100% swap that we are talking about, only the outer clasp covers. The Omega 1450 however can be fully separated, with ease, from the bracelet sections.

You can mount an Omega 1040 outer clasp cover onto a Forstner Flatlink inner clasp hinge because both clasps latch the same way and are essentially the same dimensions.


You can mount the Omega 1040 outer clasp onto an Uncle Seiko (Flatlink or Mexico Holzer) because the US clasps actually latch via their own inner clasp hinge component, so the outer cover doesn’t really play any role in latching.



It might look like you could mount an Omega 1450 outer cover on the Forstner Flatlink inner hinge but it will not latch, i.e. this is not a successful combination.


This is how a Omega 1450 latches; it’s similar to the Uncle Seiko hinge latch.

Fabulous post, thanks.
 
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Good gracious. These are some fabulous posts; so fabulous I’ll admit to be unable (unwillingly lazy?) to finish and digest them so fully.

My initial takeaway is that things are far too complicated to just go and buy a bracelet (or two) from each offering.

Perhaps I’ll return later in more energetic times, to try and draft a summary for my less energetic times 😬

Thanks for all the hard work and wonderful attention to detail 👍
 
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Thanks for the review, great reading! I think Omega 1450 is the most comfortable and good looking bracelet they ever made. The newest Speedy should have that, but they decided to use the other one. Well, to my surprise a couple days ago Forstner teased pictures of an upcoming 1450 look alike bracelet via their IG and it really catch my eye!

 
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Forstner seems to always be one step behind me. I think my office is bugged! 😉

Mine comes out this month. Solid end-links.
 
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Forstner seems to always be one step behind me. I think my office is bugged! 😉

Mine comes out this month. Solid end-links.
Wow, looks great! Do you guys agree in advance on new models? Pretty interested in comparing these two pieces!
 
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With two 1450s coming soon from both Uncle Seiko and Forstner, and if the latter managed to shorten their clip, the only difference I can see is the split pin vs the one sided screw system between the two bands. To me, both systems work fine and I've no preference.
I think between the two choices, the real challenge is, which of the two examples can actually be worn on smaller wrists.
I hope that both companies kept this in mind from the start.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
 
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@Uncle Seiko, will your 1450 be a generic 19mm bracelet with 19 or 20mm end links or is it a 20mm bracelet with no obvious step between the last link and end link?
 
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@Uncle Seiko, will your 1450 be a generic 19mm bracelet with 19 or 20mm end links or is it a 20mm bracelet with no obvious step between the last link and end link?

20mm. I plan to make a 19mm version at some point but wanted to do this one just like the original.
 
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With two 1450s coming soon from both Uncle Seiko and Forstner, and if the latter managed to shorten their clip, the only difference I can see is the split pin vs the one sided screw system between the two bands. To me, both systems work fine and I've no preference.
I think between the two choices, the real challenge is, which of the two examples can actually be worn on smaller wrists.
I hope that both companies kept this in mind from the start.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
+1 from the smaller wrists brotherhood. Really interesting to see how would they both look on my
15cm wrist!
 
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+1 from the smaller wrists brotherhood. Really interesting to see how would they both look on my
15cm wrist!

I'd be curious to see how small a wrist the Forstner can handle. Because of the taper I think the smallest this one will go is about 15.8cm (6.25 inches).
 
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I think this clasp (or something very similar) is used on several bracelets. I can’t remember the service replacement bracelet code at the moment, but when it comes back to me I’ll let you know.

Curious if this code ever came to mind for you Longbow? I’d like to see if I can source one of these covers. Thanks for the awesome write up.
 
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Sorry to hijack the thread, but @Uncle Seiko I saw a Velcro Speedy strap on your Insta, but it’s not on your website. Will this be available generally?
 
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Sorry to hijack the thread, but @Uncle Seiko I saw a Velcro Speedy strap on your Insta, but it’s not on your website. Will this be available generally?

It’s on there, look under straight ends.