I recently bought this 1957 Broker on a good leather strap, but would like to have an authentic expansion bracelet to add a different look. Does anyone know of a source for these?
Many thanks.
You're right Bob - expansion (self adjusting lug spacing) on the lug connections are death on these old watches as the slowly grind away the lugs over the years. Expansion in terms of 'scissors' like links in the bracelet are perfectly safe, AND very appropriate for these old beauties. Just be sure to measure and purchase the correct lug spacing. When seeking out old school, I search by manufacturer. "Jacoby Bender", later know as JB Champion, was one of those manufacturers. Be careful though, they were also one of the 'offenders' in those self adjusting lug ends. "Kreisler" & "Hirsch" are a couple others that come to mind.
I agree with Bob and Geoff, the manufactures didn't build these to last "forever" so any "common sense" solutions so as to circumvent possible damage only extends the life of anything built with a limited lifespan!
Look at this way, can you think of ANY manufacturer today that makes anything that doesn't have a "useful lifespan"???
Really sensible answers - thank you all.
A friend sent me a couple of bracelets to try (he doesn't want them), but while I knew they compressed to 16mm, I hadn't bothered to measure my watch and found the lug width was only 14mm!
The bands look pretty poor quality, confirmed when I put one on a cheap watch with 18mm lugs - didn't like it and had to destroy the band to remove it! Owww!
MY BULOVA STAYS ON LEATHER!! :-)