Would you buy a vintage watch on a bracelet possibly too short for you?

That's some good outside the box thinking!

Personally, I wouldn't be too fussed about the bracelet for a GS - I think all GS look infinitely better on strap than bracelet anyway. I don't wear any of my GS on bracelet. I've swapped them all out for straps... heck, not just GS, make that all watches!

Thanks for the advice, looks like I might be pulling the trigger on this item

I have large wrist and I have a hard time finding anything that fits. I figured this out though. Buy the watch. You’ll find a way to strap it to your wrist.

If the watch is worth it, I'll buy it, and if the bracelet won't fit I think I would replace it with a leather strap.

I bought a lovely vintage Seiko in perfect shape on Ebay, it really is nice, however it is too short, and in contacting Seiko, they no longer make the links to extend the band.

Sounds like you have to take the 3rd option anyway.

Thanks for the advice!

Sounds like the same situation I think it's going to be leather strap fun or buying a separate bracelet and swapping buckles as @DaveCarter suggested

Thanks for the advice, seems to be the popular choice

I’d never have the strap/bracelet keep me away from a watch I want. 50%+ of mine get switched anyway!

Here's something interesting: the last three vintage watches I've bought with a bracelet, one apparently had all its original links, while the other two didn't, but fit my wrist perfectly, with just a smidgen of room to spare for wrist-swelling. What are the odds?

Honestly, i would not care, but it really depends on the bracelet and how it is integrated.

Not necessarily. I like bracelets. I’ve bought extra links for bracelets before. Look on EBay. I’ve hunted down extra long straps. I have a bracelet for a Norquin I bought on eBay. I can’t get the opened bracelet over my wrist. So I’m hunting down a used bracelet and or I’m going to have to buy a couple links and to piece one together. In the mean time it’s on a strap. There are a lot of options it just takes a little work.

I have large wrists so can never guarantee a vintage bracelet will fit but I always keep an eye out for new old stock bracelets or vintage style replicas to use

Got caught out with this on an integrated bracelet. Was gutted and passed the watch on to my nephew.

If you bought those without checking or seeing size information that's great odds, or you have the perfect median wrist size!

I have checked and its not an integrated one thankfully just sold end links.

Thanks for sharing did not realise those existed!

But will the end links fit? Bracelets are generally model specific.

Trigger pulled!

I now have a GS SBGF027 on its way from Japan, thank you all for all your comments and voting!

Congrats, that’s a beautiful watch!

Will still buy it, I mean, it's a GS. They will look good regardless

If it’s the right watch and you’re okay with potentially not being able to wear the bracelet, then I’d still consider getting it. Trying to get a replacement bracelet/extra links from an AD in the future is a good idea though!

If I am not certain the bracelet will fit, I am not going to buy the watch. Most aftermarket bracelets have straight end links that won’t fit the case in the same way as the OEM bracelet. I don’t like that gap.

It’s an older Grand Seiko quartz. There are tons of those for sale. If you keep looking, you will find one with a bracelet that works for you.

Absolutely, got lucky with this and it arrived exactly the right size 😁

That's a beautiful vintage piece in perfect condition! I don't think mine will be that perfect but let's find out 😆

Thanks, It has a couple things that aren't perfect but for 44 years it's not bad at all! Finger crossed for you!

Is there a brand that you prefer, John? I'm considering obtaining a Seiko Spork with a bracelet (6.5") that's too small for my 7.125" wrist.

The local AD here stocks them but you can also find them on eBay if you search "Clasp Expander." You will need to measure the inside width of your clasp and order accordingly. I'm attaching photos of two types I use.

This first type has a spring loaded slider in it and you can adjust it to the length you want and bend it slightly to hold that position.

This second type is very simple, it literally extends the clasp....

Also keep in mind you may need to move links from one side of the clasp to the other for balance and fit once you install the extender. A friend of mine re-brushes the clasp and extender so it looks more put together, I don't bother with that step.

It fits! Was advertised as approx. 18cm but feels more like 20cm as I have room to remove a link! But will still get some 19mm straps for it as this dial looks like it will look great with all sorts of straps!