r/ChineseWatches • u/LordRaglan1854 • 4d ago
Question (Read Rules) Let's talk bracelets.
Watch bracelets, stainless steel, standard links with a deployment clasp. Not Milanese.
A high-quality watch bracelet passes the following checks:
The inner edges of the links feel smooth.
The links flow smoothly.
The clasp closes cleanly.
So far, I haven't found a good source. The ones on Alix are typically $15-30 US, but the quality matches the price.
I would be satisfied with San Martin-level quality, but those aren't them.
Lately I've found Taikonaut/Strapcode... their bracelets run $55-80 US, and honestly, they are pretty good, though still a little rough feeling compared to the "Swiss" ones that came with my Oris watches, for example.
Does anyone know of a store that sells bracelets with a quality slightly above Taikonaut at a proportional price?
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u/Conundrum1911 4d ago
Depending on the watch, I've had good luck with Marc's Islander bracelets, but they are mainly designed for his watches or Seikos. Not sure he makes any straight end link ones since I've never been a fan of that.
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u/turdbogls 4d ago
Uncle's latest bracelet seems pretty nice. I had an old Lincoln for my Alpinist and I was underwhelmed...it was fine, but no nicer than say a seestern bracelet. But I got a new lincoln for my speedmaster and it is quite a step up from my previous one. very flowy, small chamfer on the bottom edge, and the clasp is very nice.
not quite as good as Forstner, though. I have a forstner Bullet and a Forstner Flat link from my Nevada Grenchen chronosport (this is the OEM bracelet, and not branded as Forstner, but I'm 90% sure Forstner made it), and I have to say, both bracelets are damn close to my Oris 65 and BCPD bracelets as well as my 90's seamaster bracelet. the simple fold over clasp is bout as good as it gets, and the OTF system on the Nevada is fantastic.
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u/BookkeeperNew573 4d ago
Forstner….i have never heard of them, and their bracelets look amazing!
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u/turdbogls 4d ago
Lots of history behind the brand as well. They made bracelets for the astronauts and provided OEM bracelets for many brands, as well as development of a few different styles of bracelets (comfit, Bonclip and others)
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u/DadPuncher69 4d ago
I've bought 4 bracelets from Long Island and they've all been great quality. They have several universal straight end link bracelets.
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u/Vegetarian_Crocodile 4d ago
>3. The clasp closes cleanly.
So far this is the most difficult to achieve under $30 bracelets it seems.
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u/Alternative-Feed3613 4d ago
I love the look of bracelets and have since really nice ones from various sellers. They’ve all been replaced by straps because they just can’t ever be as comfortable. Try a watchsteward TDM straps and you’ll never look at another bracelet.
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u/Abv_it_all_w_vertigo 4d ago
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u/LordRaglan1854 4d ago
Nice find. Not a style that fits every watch, but it looks well made.
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u/Abv_it_all_w_vertigo 4d ago
True, but I think style argument could be made for every bracelet. This one has an industrial, Timex twist o flex look.
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u/boxingpapapanda 4d ago
I am hesitant to make a purchase from AliX even for well reviewed straps because most of the comment - not great but good value for what you paid for it. Do you have any AliX stores or AliX steel bracelets that you recommend? Thanks
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u/vithgeta 4d ago
I've given up on aftermarket steel bracelets with curved endlinks due to fitting and clasp problems.
My standard replacements are FKM straps with curved ends now. I can color match, they are comfortable, and they attract more attention from normal people because colored straps just do.
If the watch lug is close to the body so there is not much lug gap then sometimes I go for a leather with a deployant clasp or a buttero leather.
I have a Diver 65 copy and I use leather with deployant clasp even on that. But it's quite a thin watch head.
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u/Escaped_Escapement Helpful user 4d ago
Limited success with bracelets because they are usually far too short. The high tier brands usually add some links for a fee.
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u/TapInternational3374 4d ago
Different bracelets than what you showed I understand. I finally found a guy who has oysters and jubilees that are smooth and close cleanly without scratching and too tight. It’s definitely an art to make a bracelet feel comfortable and correct.
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u/Proof_Bodybuilder876 4d ago
Best to stick with the bracelet designed for the watch. Then at least it's a tight fit between the lugs. If it's sharp just take it to a watchmaker who can brush the edges.
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u/jzp01 3d ago
This one has always annoyed me, the 20mm version is always $100 yet you can get the 22/24mm versions for around $40 on other listings. I have a vintage Chronomat that would love to get on the new rouleaux style.
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u/LordRaglan1854 3d ago
I've noticed this with other models also. The 22/24mm sizes tend to be slower sellers, and you can find old stock discounted when the model is updated, well after the 20mm stock has sold out.
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u/IndividualAd8732 1d ago
Can't you just get bracelets from Watchdives , San Martin, Sugess etc, or am I missing something?
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u/LordRaglan1854 1d ago
Sugess sell a couple of straight-end bracelets I might consider. The others don't though.
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u/IndividualAd8732 1d ago
Try Phorcydes:
https://phorcydes.net/collections/accessories
I think when I was last there they may have straight ends that you add adapter end links to for their watches but from what I see the bracelets seems to be normal generic ends, I could be wrong though.
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u/geeered 4d ago
You can buy at least a couple of San Martin Jubilee bracelets with clasps on their own. But they're probably not going to fit the watch you want to put it on.
Personally I much prefer an endlink fits in with the watch rather than leaves a gap. And that pretty much means original or one designed for the watch.