Review of WatchGecko Classic Retro Bracelet
I have a few 70s/80s Russian watches that were received with their original bracelets, and I've purchased a couple of replacements over the years. The problem with these is resizing them, due to the folded links.
There are no pins here, you need to open the links with pliers and then pinch them back down after resizing. Unfortunately this leads to a weakened link, so if you need to size again you cannot reopen the same link as the chances are it will fail.
Here's my 70s Sekonda, on a new strap from WatchGecko. It looks perfectly in keeping with the watch, not a million miles off the Poljot on the left of the earlier picture. This however has a couple of distinct advantages, it uses the clasp we're used to seeing on a mesh with a simple slider to adjust, and allows for quick release pins. It comes in 18, 20 and 22, in this brushed SS, black or gold tone.
To be honest I was pretty excited to receive this, the answer to an irritant I've put up with for many years.
This is an 18mm which tapers to 12, still good to this point.
However there are a couple of drawbacks. The first is that for whatever reason the quick release pins aren't supplied, and neither are standard. It's no biggie, I have spares but I don't understand the thinking behind that. The second is that it's stripping the hairs on my arm - I can't remember the last time that happened.
Overall, I'm still happy with it, the look is spot on and it wasn't expensive. I think I'll wear it for a while longer before purchasing a second though, see if my hairs get used to it.
Art. Jazz. Dachshunds. Bolton Wanderers. Reading FC.
I can also vouch for the quality of this WatchGecko bracelet. Gives my Timex Waterbury GMT an instant vintage vibe, and more importantly, the clasp stays locked (I'm looking at you, Timex!) Thankfully I don't have an abundance of arm hair, so I haven't experienced any pulling 😅