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SS Bracelet for 3861 Speedy - is it really worth the $$$?

DdKk
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What_Goat? What_Goat?
Thank you everyone for replying and providing your unfiltered thoughts!
I think the best choice would be to go the OE route: it was designed for Speedy Pro 3861, it’s OE (despite sounds vain, I love that!!) and has the micro adjustments that I need/asked for - and I personally love the design.

Since Forstner doesn’t have the bullet version in stock…called my OB…and yeah, they have the bracelet in stock - will be passing by on Saturday to get it on::psy::

Today, with the OE rubber, my beloved Speedy fits great, perhaps a smudge loose to my liking. I think part of it is that the rubber does not ‘drape/contour’ to the wrist like a bracelet would. I contemplated on using one of those ‘hole punchers’ as recommended earlier in the thread, but I did not want to desecrate the OE rubber. On a 3rd party strap, most likely, yeah!

Gratuitous pics attached!

My favorite is Pelikan vs. Seahorse (curious to see how many would get the reference)

Looks great! But there appears to be plenty of space between the holes for an additional one to optimise the fit. Don't fear the hole puncher! Personally I prefer this type of puncher for a watch strap, and have perfected (not desecrated! 😀) several straps with it, as I almost invariably find that my ideal fit falls between two holes. The new hole won't look the same as the existing ones on your OE strap, but it doesn't matter: with the pin in it, it won't be visible anyway.

41P9gIt-BnL.jpg
 
What_Goat?
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DdKk DdKk
Looks great! But there appears to be plenty of space between the holes for an additional one to optimise the fit. Don't fear the hole puncher! Personally I prefer this type of puncher for a watch strap, and have perfected (not desecrated! 😀) several straps with it, as I almost invariably find that my ideal fit falls between two holes. The new hole won't look the same as the existing ones on your OE strap, but it doesn't matter: with the pin in it, it won't be visible anyway.

41P9gIt-BnL.jpg

Hmm, very convincing post and useful info. I just might have ti pick one up to optimize my rubber strap fitment. Do you per chance a link to the kit you use/ or recommend, for the new hole creation? A perfunctory Amazon search didn’t give me this option, only the cowboy spurs type (forgive my ignorance, don’t know the official terminology here).
 
DdKk
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What_Goat? What_Goat?
Hmm, very convincing post and useful info. I just might have ti pick one up to optimize my rubber strap fitment. Do you per chance a link to the kit you use/ or recommend, for the new hole creation? A perfunctory Amazon search didn’t give me this option, only the cowboy spurs type (forgive my ignorance, don’t know the official terminology here).
The photo is the set I've got--£7 from Amazon UK! I'm sure there are items of a higher quality out there, but it's does the job...
kuou 10 Pcs Hole Punch Cutter, 0.5mm-5.0mm Round Steel Hollow Punch Set for Leather Watch Band Canvas Eyelet Paper Plastics : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools
 
DdKk
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PS The key: don't try to manually push/drill the puncher into the strap. Rather, locate it precisely where it needs to go, and tap/whack it with a hammer. For precise location, I usually start with a smaller-diameter piece, tap it in lightly to create a depression, then locate the correct size piece in the depression, thus ensuring it doesn't move when tapped.

Your OE strap is exceptionally nice, and I do know what these cost... so best to practice on a couple of times on less precious straps, or, for that matter, on a random piece of rubber of comparable thickness and hardness. The satisfaction of a perfectly-fitting strap will be worth the faff!
 
What_Goat?
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Got to say - I love this community!

I asked a rather rudimentary question, and I got numerous helpful replies- nothing scornful or backhanded!

Long live the analog world!
 
Gubbo
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What_Goat? What_Goat?
Got to say - I love this community!

I asked a rather rudimentary question, and I got numerous helpful replies- nothing scornful or backhanded!

Long live the analog world!

Oh if you want? You're crazy and wrong and a dumb dumb head.

The metal bracelet is for winter and the rubber is for the warm summer months.
 
WatchTimes
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Bought mine on the bracelet and never looked back.
The bracelet is well made and very comfortable for me.
 
dsio
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The current bracelet is so much nicer than the old 1998 which I never really liked, very comfortable and elegant design
 
S
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dsio dsio
The current bracelet is so much nicer than the old 1998 which I never really liked, very comfortable and elegant design

consider the fact its very flimsy, noisy and sharp
it doesn't feel solid and secure
making the watch a bit more elegant and lighter
the clasp is sharp not like the butter smooth clasp from Rolex or Seamaster 300 1998
overall its ok bracelet, but not perfect and not for everyone considering the fact Speedmaster is a tool watch

I don't think its worth the new price tag from ad
probably used one for $500 could be a deal
 
dsio
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S Speedy13
consider the fact its very flimsy, noisy and sharp
it doesn't feel solid and secure
making the watch a bit more elegant and lighter
the clasp is sharp not like the butter smooth clasp from Rolex or Seamaster 300 1998
overall its ok bracelet, but not perfect and not for everyone considering the fact Speedmaster is a tool watch

I don't think its worth the new price tag from ad
probably used one for $500 could be a deal
I wouldn’t call it flimsy at all, 1039 and other flat-link bracelets I would but not the current one by any means. I don’t even consider the 1171 to be flimsy despite being light.
 
PandaSPUR
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I got my snoopy 50th with the 3861 bracelet and love it.

I can see why people call it "flimsy" but its feels "flimsy" like the jubilee bracelet on my DJ. In other words, not flimsy at all but rather just lighter and built with more movement allowed. That combo makes it very comfortable and not stiff like the bracelets on my divers.

Its kind of like how some people think titanium bracelets feel cheap because they're lighter. After years of wearing titanium watches/bracelets and a few ceramic watches, I've gotten over the weight = quality association in my mind.

I've used the quick adjust a few times even though I haven't owned the watch during the summer yet. Its been handy for when I'm exerting myself and getting warm or for those odd winter days that hit 60F and the building heat cant be adjusted (yay NYC's steam heating lol).
 
chiefenergy
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IMHO the 3861 bracelet elevates the piece. I size my bracelets after a workout and never think about them again. Do it. No regrets.
 
What_Goat?
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Many thanks @DdKk - you saved me a few hundred coins by not having to purchase a bracelet, OE or otherwise.

So I used this tool (https://a.co/d/hXGfZzG) to make a few extra holes. With a hole in between, it’s just perfect now!! But I did manage to mangle one of them (slightly off center) - but no biggie, it can’t be seen when worn.
 
What_Goat?
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Photo - this only bothers me since I’m OCD and only I know it’s there, kind of like a lug scratch after strap changes…no one else sees it but yourself. But you still kick yourself for not being mega extra diligent.
 
IMG_0379.jpeg
What_Goat?
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WatchTimes WatchTimes
Bought mine on the bracelet and never looked back.
The bracelet is well made and very comfortable for me.

An OE SS bracelet is always nice, and likely the best ‘strap’ upgrade one can do. Knowing myself- I will likely pick it up at some point. But by making extra holes on the rubber strap, my original concern re: wearability in the hot summer months was solved.
 
DdKk
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What_Goat? What_Goat?
Many thanks @DdKk - you saved me a few hundred coins by not having to purchase a bracelet, OE or otherwise.

So I used this tool (https://a.co/d/hXGfZzG) to make a few extra holes. With a hole in between, it’s just perfect now!! But I did manage to mangle one of them (slightly off center) - but no biggie, it can’t be seen when worn.
I'm so pleased to hear this! 😀
 
DdKk
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What_Goat? What_Goat?
Photo - this only bothers me since I’m OCD and only I know it’s there, kind of like a lug scratch after strap changes…no one else sees it but yourself. But you still kick yourself for not being mega extra diligent.
I'm a bit OCD, too--and I have the feeling that the great majority of people on this forum are. This, however, looks like a great job to me! If it had been off centre side-to-side, yes, I'd be miffed; but off-centre length-wise (and by the tiniest of margins, by the look of it) is not a problem at all in my book. If it is a perfect fit like this, it would have been sub-optimal with the new hole bang in the middle! Remind your OCD self of this fact and you won't lose any sleep over it.
Edited:
 
What_Goat?
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DdKk DdKk
I'm a bit OCD, too--and I have the feeling that the great majority of people on this forum are. This, however, looks like a great job to me! If it had been off centre side-to-side, yes, I'd be miffed; but off-centre length-wise (and by the tiniest of margins, by the look of it) is not a problem at all in my book. If it is a perfect fit like this, it would have been sub-optimal with the new hole bang in the middle! Remind your OCD self of this fact and you won't lose any sleep over it.

Amen brother! I quickly forget about it given how perfectly my Speedy wears now, and as we all know, it is by far the most versatile, easy to wear watch - perfect dimensions and colour combo!
 
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