Why did Omega keep the Bond bracelet?

frabr · Aug 15, 2019

Hi guys!

I've read a couple of places online that Omega was at one point planning to equip the sports-line (Seamaster, Speedmaster and Railmaster, I guess) with the speedy style bracelet. This was when the Seamaster 2254.50 was in production. The plan was to give a unified look to their sports collection. I've never read anywhere why this didn't happen.

So: Is this true, or only a rumor? I'm just curious. 😀

I love the bond bracelet, and see it as a unique version of a beads of rice style bracelet.

Speedy2254 · Aug 15, 2019

My 2254 has a Speedy style bracelet (not in my avatar it doesn't). I much prefer it to the Bond style but both look good.

Bimmerman77 · Aug 15, 2019

I have the speedy 1610/930 on my 2254 and the bond bracelet on my 2531 and new wave dial SMP. I prefer the speedy bracelet by far. I wished they offered it as an option on the newer models.

steelfish · Aug 15, 2019

IIRC before we had micro adjust the Bond bracelet provided slightly better adjustment possibilities with its multiple half links. I certainly appreciated it.

On the modern bracelets this obviously isn't an issue anymore. I do think the bond bracelet has its place though in adding a dress watch vibe versus tool watch.

Donn Chambers · Aug 15, 2019

To each their own. I personally like the Bond bracelet very much and find it very distinctive compared to the standard 3-link oysterish bracelets on almost every other watch you see in the wild. I've never liked the modern Speedmaster bracelet.

Bimmerman77 · Aug 16, 2019

Donn Chambers
To each their own. I personally like the Bond bracelet very much and find it very distinctive compared to the standard 3-link oysterish bracelets on almost every other watch you see in the wild. I've never liked the modern Speedmaster bracelet.

I’ll agree that it’s a great bracelet, but after wearing my 2254 or submariner, I wish it tapered a bit. Also not a fan of the new speedy bracelet, one of the reasons I sold my moonwatch

guwipa · Aug 16, 2019

To the core of your initial consideration I don’t know but having thatsaid, i could imagine that - at the time when Omega installed the 2254 on the Speedy bracelet, namely early 2000s, the overwhelming success of the some few years before started Bondwatch hype could have let to a reconsideration of such plans, if there such had been at all.

What you’re saying?
All in one single sentence 😀

Cheers,

Winny

perks713 · Aug 17, 2019

I don’t know the answer to the question but I want to put a little bit of money away over the next year or so for a nice 2451, maybe even the 36mm. I want the bond bracelet with it, but I’ll probably never wear it with it. The bracelet is to, 90’s, for me. There’s too much going on.

Still, I want one.

gbesq · Aug 18, 2019

Um, because it’s a classic? I love mine.

fskywalker · Aug 20, 2019

The newer pin / screw system found on the newer bracelets (like the Bond band, 1515/816 used on the Seamasters, starting wth the ceramic model) is better than the older pin / tube system found on the older 1503/825 band. I prefer the look of the "speedy style" 1610/930 bracelet, which fits the ceramic SMP's with the date at 6 (laquer dial model), but Omega had not issued a new version of it.

mz_cle · Aug 21, 2019

After wearing my 2531 on a leather strap and "sailcoth" strap all winter and spring, I have been wearing it on the bracelet, slightly looser than I had in the past, since June.

The "Bond" bracelet deserves its due.

It wears slightly dressier than a more standard three link or oyster style bracelet. In the last few months, I have worn it on vacation at the beach and on multiple, week long work events where it was paired with everything from a suit to jeans and t-shirt as needed.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but it also preceded Rolex's adoption of solid links and end links by a number of years.

Obligatory pic of mine taken before I adjusted the bracelet length:

Bimmerman77 · Aug 21, 2019

mz_cle
After wearing my 2531 on a leather strap and "sailcoth" strap all winter and spring, I have been wearing it on the bracelet, slightly looser than I had in the past, since June.

The "Bond" bracelet deserves its due.

It wears slightly dressier than a more standard three link or oyster style bracelet. I comfortably in the last few months I have worn it on vacation at the beach and on multiple week long work events where it was paired with everything from a suit to jeans and t-shirt as needed.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but it also preceded Rolex's adoption of solid links and end links by a number of years.

Obligatory pic of mine taken before I adjusted the bracelet length:

You’re correct about the solid links. I have a 2008 submariner 16610 with solid end links and hollow links. My 2013 sub 116610 ceramic is solid all around. Omega definitely beat them on bracelet quality. I love my oyster bracelets, but nothing is more comfortable than my new wave dial ceramic diver.

Why did Omega keep the Bond bracelet?

frabr

Speedy2254

Bimmerman77

steelfish

Donn Chambers

Bimmerman77

guwipa

perks713

gbesq

fskywalker

mz_cle

Bimmerman77

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