Twistoflex - why? Still relevant?

STANDY · Dec 31, 2021

Most jewellery stores stocked them, and believe it or not most general jewellery stores still stock those racks of same branded leather straps in several sizes.
Was looking for a strap local several years ago and have about 7-8 different jewellery stores (zero watch boutiques or ADs) and all had similar lower quality racks of straps. Not one had a 20mm strap.
And yes a few had modern Spiedel twisto-flex still in stock.

JwRosenthal · Dec 31, 2021

STANDY
Most jewellery stores stocked them, and believe it or not most general jewellery stores still stock those racks of same branded leather straps in several sizes.
Was looking for a strap local several years ago and have about 7-8 different jewellery stores (zero watch boutiques or ADs) and all had similar lower quality racks of straps. Not one had a 20mm strap.
And yes a few had modern Spiedel twisto-flex still in stock.

The drugstore I used to frequent as a kid (this is the 80’s, not the 60’s- I’m not that old) had the rotating Speidel display. I had a Casio I bought there (i always lusted over the timex and Seiko’s in that case (but the Casio’s were within my budget) and the factory rubber strap irritated my skin, so the clerk mounted a fix-o-flex for me and I was good to go!

amcclell · Dec 31, 2021

As a product of the 1960's, I can attest to earlier comments that watches were mainly used to tell the time for most people. Most watches were sold with leather straps that only lasted a year and the Spiedel and JB expansion bracelets provided a comfortable alternative that lasted much longer. Both of my grandfathers, along with my father swore by them.

My father wore a timex but his father had a stainless Rolex OP, and my mother's father had a solid 14k autowind Bulova. Even though my grandfathers valued their watches, they saw the strap/bracelet as simply a means to attach the watch to their wrist. I have a soft spot for these bracelets as they remind me of my grandfathers who first piqued my interest in watches, some 50 years ago. For that reason, I have them on a few of my watches. They only see occasional use, so I don't really worry about wear to the lugs.

JwRosenthal · Dec 31, 2021

We can wax all day on the comfort and ease of these bracelets, but just a cautionary for anyone new to them, about to go on mad eBay spree to switch out every strap in their collection- stay away from the one with spring loaded endlinks- only get fixed size endlinks- pictures speak for themselves