The Bonklip is back.

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zoohannover

·Apr 22, 2020

Not sure if that has been posted before.
I just found this site regarding the relaunch of the Bonklip bracelet / strap.
https://www.josephbonnie.com/en/product/bonklip-steel-watch-bracelet/
Estimated delivery: May 2020

Tropic, Forstner, Holzer, Bonklip, ..., whats next? 😉

And a nice article about the original:
https://www.fratellowatches.com/vintage-bracelets-part-1-bonklip-style/

Edited: Apr 22, 2020

 

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MoclovFlop

·Apr 22, 2020

Looks good!

I think next, GF should just reproduce all the end links from their catalog since those seem to get thrown away every time someone gets ready to sell a bracelet...🤨

JB Champion too.

Edited: May 14, 2020

 

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simonsays

·Apr 22, 2020

Not sure about the value in this one, I think there are bargain buckets of originals at every watch fair no?

 

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S.H.

·Apr 22, 2020

MoclovFlop

Looks good!

I think next, GF should just reproduce all the end links from their catalog since those seem to thrown away every time someone gets ready to sell a bracelet...🤨

I don't think GF will produce anything anymore, they have been eaten up and digested by Rolex.

 

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MMMD

·Apr 22, 2020·unaffiliated curmudgeonly absurdist & polyologist

Looks good. Unfortunate that it’s only available in a 20mm lug width.

 

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MoclovFlop

·Apr 22, 2020

S.H.

I don't think GF will produce anything anymore, they have been eaten up and digested by Rolex.

🙁

A man can dream.

 

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cristos71

·Apr 23, 2020

simonsays

Not sure about the value in this one, I think there are bargain buckets of originals at every watch fair no?

Bonklips of 17mm and under lug fitting are cheap and easy to find, 18mm are more plentiful and around €125-150.

20mm however are pretty difficult to locate and generally more expensive still so I think this initiative will actually fill a gap in the market for not such a big cost.

 

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dennisthemenace

·Apr 23, 2020

If anyone is looking for a 18mm bonclip type bracelet I have one that is surplus to requirements and for a small donation to charity I will post to the first member that drops me a PM.

 

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Radiumpassion

·Apr 23, 2020

MMMD

Looks good. Unfortunate that it’s only available in a 20mm lug width.

The original Bonklip and vintage ladder bracelets often came in 20 and 22mm
lug size. So the watchmakers could grind them down to a perfect fit.

 

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JwRosenthal

·Apr 23, 2020

I actually find this another neat option. With all the watch “reissues” or homages we have seen over the last few years, the attempts at recreating period bracelets has been a huge fail- they may appear similar but all lack the feel and finish of the vintage bracelets.
The Bonklips are among the earliest of bracelets and suit 40’s/early 50’s watches unlike many “vintage” styles that are out now.
And yes, they are abundant in 16/17mm, but you get 18 and above and the price soars.

 

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MMMD

·Apr 23, 2020·unaffiliated curmudgeonly absurdist & polyologist

Radiumpassion

The original Bonklip and vintage ladder bracelets often came in 20 and 22mm
lug size. So the watchmakers could grind them down to a perfect fit.

This is true and I’ve been lucky to score a couple of them, but I think in this case the range would be only down to about 19mm due to the width of the links. A 22mm lug width would be better.

 

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TexOmega

·Sep 12, 2020

Even looks great with a modern watch

 

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eugeneandresson

·Sep 12, 2020

TexOmega

Even looks great with a modern watch

That’s a ForstnerBands klip. This thread is about the Joseph Bonny one (looks great BTW) ...

 

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michael22

·Sep 12, 2020

For the ignoramuses, like me, what are the good points of these? Is it just the vintage appeal, or are the loveable for practical reasons.

 

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eugeneandresson

·Sep 12, 2020

michael22

For the ignoramuses, like me, what are the good points of these? Is it just the vintage appeal, or are the loveable for practical reasons.

For me :

1) it’s more or less the bracelet that was worn on a particular watch I have in my collection (albeit a narrower version) in the 50s
2) The ForstnerBands one can be attached to fixed bars

(ForstnerBands bonklip)

That said, I find it very comfortable and easy to wear/use, as well as very light. I can’t wait to try it on other more modern watches (I think given it’s brand new and not a shagged vintage one it will actually look quite good)...

Edited: Sep 12, 2020

 

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Rman

·Sep 12, 2020

Light and breathable, and the more common thinner-linked version give a nice vintage look.
Seen here on a 36mm US Army issued 2179 they often make the watch seem a little larger than it really is IMO.

The slinkier ones wear better for me, I have had a larger and stiffer NOS version that I don’t seem to ever wear.

 

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SkunkPrince

·Sep 12, 2020

eugeneandresson

fixed springbars

Young brother, I do not mock, but if they're fixed, they are sure as hell not spring bars. 😁

 

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eugeneandresson

·Sep 12, 2020

SkunkPrince

Young brother, I do not mock, but if they're fixed, they are sure as hell not spring bars. 😁

Absolutely 🤦 I have a Valid excuse... it is after midnight, and there was cognac in the mix..,

 

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SkunkPrince

·Sep 12, 2020

eugeneandresson

Absolutely 🤦 I have a Valid excuse... it is after midnight, and there was cognac in the mix..,

Goodnight. 😁

 

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michael22

·Sep 12, 2020

Sound like a good alternative to mesh: light, strong, comfy.