Expansion Bands and Why They Are Pariahs
I received two vintage watches this weekend that belonged to my grandfather or one of his brothers. Both were on metal expansion bands, you know the stretchy metal deals.
I don't think I've ever worn one before, and there are several reasons for this.
New watches almost never come on expansion bands.
They are super thick, as they have upper and lower links along with internal springs.
They are lowbrow. The convenience factor, the not-high price, and (as I read in a book I could name) that they imply one is about to push the watch up on their forearm to keep it clear of a drill press or something.
Also, the elderly seem to love these, as do other handicapped people. Again convenience, especially for those with limited dexterity. So there's a bit of a gimpy codger association.
I looked into how to adjust them, should one be too loose, and it is a huge, irreversible, hassle.
They squeeze you and the moving parts can pinch.
That said, they are classic Americana. Bruce Willis's character in Pulp Fiction wears his dad's watch (presented sans band) on an expansion band. The Speidel Twist-O-Flex was made in the USA. For a mid-century middle-American look, they are as period accurate as can be.
Regarding the comfort issue, I did wear one of them for an afternoon. It was fine and I really did enjoy that it is perfectly secure with absolutely no motion on the wrist. Upon removing, it does leave an impression or indentation on the wrist. I am not hirsute enough to comment on whether hair-pulling is a potential issue or not.
So in all my time of consuming watch enthusiast media, I have not once heard a single mention of them. I'm curious as to why this is. Is it one or more of the reasons I've stated, are they just out of fashion, or is it something else altogether?
Started as a quartzbro goofing on the mechanical snobs, wrote for thetruthaboutwatches.com, and lately started finding forgotten familial vintage watches in need of love.
Every one of my father's or grandfather's watches had them and I took them off of every one. The large ones are too loose for me and flop around. The regular sized ones pull hair and become uncomfortable after a few hours.
I think that Speidel owned the space in the United States. They were modern, convenient, and would not wear out like leather straps.
I can't think of a reason why I would prefer one over anything else.
I noticed that these didn't seem to exist anymore when I got into watches last year. I figured they were just out dated and not desirable in today's market. I used to love playing with those when I was a kid. They were very common back then.
I grew up with expansion bands. I still have a Speidel Twist-o-flex on a mechanical Timex Marlin.
The Twist-o-Flex is much easier on the wrist than the old scissor style.
If you have a vintage 50's-60's watch they are a must for the authentic vibe.
You young-uns need to toughen up. A little wrist hair pull ain't gonna kill you!
Now GTF off my lawn!!
I had a lengthy post written out but lost it. But enjoy some expansion bracelets from my collection.
Post photos of those gems your Grandfather had. 👍
"Also, the elderly seem to love these, as do other handicapped people. Again convenience, especially for those with limited dexterity. So there's a bit of a gimpy codger association".
You should be ashamed of writing that. It is demeaning and insulting to both elderly people and 'other handicapped people'. By no means are all elderly people handicapped but neither are all handicapped people elderly. Try a bit of sensitivity before you put fingers to keyboard.
Oh...and if you care about this sort of thing...I am 74.
As an artisan watchmaker I do find that the aftermarket stretch bracelets have sprung ends to fit the different lug widths on different watches, they tend to end up wearing the inside of the lugs through metal to metal contact
Post photos of those gems your Grandfather had. 👍
I have a couple and don't mind them, they give some of those vintage pieces an authentic feel. That said, they get absolutely filthy and are a pain to keep clean.
"Also, the elderly seem to love these, as do other handicapped people. Again convenience, especially for those with limited dexterity. So there's a bit of a gimpy codger association".
You should be ashamed of writing that. It is demeaning and insulting to both elderly people and 'other handicapped people'. By no means are all elderly people handicapped but neither are all handicapped people elderly. Try a bit of sensitivity before you put fingers to keyboard.
Oh...and if you care about this sort of thing...I am 74.
You are correct, the wording was not the best. I was hastily trying to avoid saying something like "and spazzes of all ages." My understanding is that expansion bands are a godsend to
As a middle-aged person myself, I'm getting my first experiences with age-related degeneration, so it's not like I'm scoffing here. But in reality, the young and stylish generally don't want to be associated with things favored by old or handicapped. And most of these afflictions are more common in the aged. I did not mean to imply that every senior citizen is a doddering invalid.
As an artisan watchmaker I do find that the aftermarket stretch bracelets have sprung ends to fit the different lug widths on different watches, they tend to end up wearing the inside of the lugs through metal to metal contact
Ugh, I see those "one size fits most" ones and I refuse to consider them because they look awful and are likely a nuisance to install. Does the band even stay centered or does it slide back and forth between the lugs? I hadn't thought that they'll be rubbing the case and scuffing like crazy. Thanks for pointing that out.
Actually, one is on some Apex system that looks like this on the back.
And I find that to be less pinching than the contraction of parallel elements in the traditional Speidel. Admittedly, I think mine predates the actual Twist-o-flex name, so I'm not really experienced here.
@gbelleh is totally correct that expansion bands are like Slinkies for children to play with. And maybe adults too.
You are correct, the wording was not the best. I was hastily trying to avoid saying something like "and spazzes of all ages." My understanding is that expansion bands are a godsend to
As a middle-aged person myself, I'm getting my first experiences with age-related degeneration, so it's not like I'm scoffing here. But in reality, the young and stylish generally don't want to be associated with things favored by old or handicapped. And most of these afflictions are more common in the aged. I did not mean to imply that every senior citizen is a doddering invalid.
Troll much??
Ugh, I see those "one size fits most" ones and I refuse to consider them because they look awful and are likely a nuisance to install. Does the band even stay centered or does it slide back and forth between the lugs? I hadn't thought that they'll be rubbing the case and scuffing like crazy. Thanks for pointing that out.
They do centered on the internal springs which is part of the problem with lug wear, especially if they're tight
My latest Westclox came with one, but I took it off for two reasons: one, it was filthy. Two, I found that this watch was originally sold with a black leather band, and I just happened to have an appropriate one.
The stretch will go onto the other Westclox, which has a messed up dial, a "lowly" 7 jewel movement, and a beat up case. It'll be a weekend working around the house watch, and I think the stretch band will work good in that context.
I had a Twist-O-Flex band on a Timex in the early 70s. They are convenient but I never knew about the negative connotations. I guess that means I am the negative connotations. 😂