Speidel Twist-O-Flex on my grandfather’s ’55 Longines
I recently bought a vintage NOS Speidel Romunda Twist-O-Flex for my grandfather’s ’55 Longines, but was concerned because felt too tight on my 7” wrist. I did some reading about these bracelets and it appears that they’re intended to have a pretty snug fit.
I typically like to wear my watches a little on the loose side, but I think I’m going to try to get used to how this fits because it looks so darn good on this watch. (It’s the ultimate “grandfather watch band.”)
What do you think, does this look like a “proper” fit?
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beatcomber
I’ve only been part of the watch community since 2020, so I am still learning. My tastes tend to run toward vintage and vintage-inspired watches.
Lexington, MA, USA
Member since
Last active: 1 day ago
7.00” / 17.78 cm
I finally bought a new expansion bracelet and adjusted it to fit (see youtube videos if not familiar with how to shorten). I got it to the point where it really isn't expanded at all when on wrist and it is great.
Vintage items were made for people at the time, and they were thinner. Thus many people whose only exposure is from vintage feel they are uncomfortable, constrictive, hair pullers.
The gaps between links don't seem too bad on yours but it does seem that the band is being stretched a bit, so it will be snug. It should fit better when it's colder.
I finally bought a new expansion bracelet and adjusted it to fit (see youtube videos if not familiar with how to shorten). I got it to the point where it really isn't expanded at all when on wrist and it is great.
Vintage items were made for people at the time, and they were thinner. Thus many people whose only exposure is from vintage feel they are uncomfortable, constrictive, hair pullers.
The gaps between links don't seem too bad on yours but it does seem that the band is being stretched a bit, so it will be snug. It should fit better when it's colder.
Very good points! I am not overweight, but yeah, many folks nowadays are on the heavier side vs. the olden days.
I expected that I would have had to shorten it, so I was surprised by the tight fit when I received it.
The new Twist-O-Flexes are 165mm long, and the lug-to-lug distance on the Longines is 35mm, so that will total 200mm or 7.87”, which should offer me a bit of relief on my 7” wrist. I’m now considering springing the $80 for a new Romunda.
Very good points! I am not overweight, but yeah, many folks nowadays are on the heavier side vs. the olden days.
I expected that I would have had to shorten it, so I was surprised by the tight fit when I received it.
The new Twist-O-Flexes are 165mm long, and the lug-to-lug distance on the Longines is 35mm, so that will total 200mm or 7.87”, which should offer me a bit of relief on my 7” wrist. I’m now considering springing the $80 for a new Romunda.
I was unaware they still made the model. The curved end links seem to be scarcer in current models so beware if it matters to you. Theoretically you can graft parts from one to another but bending those little end tabs is tricky.
It's UNfun to adjust those but can be done.
I think it's looks perfect on your wrist, since I don't see any real expansion but rather the typical gap between the links as they curve around your wrist.
That looks perfectly period correct. I was there then, so.... Wear it with pride, looks fab/gear ;)
It's UNfun to adjust those but can be done.
I think it's looks perfect on your wrist, since I don't see any real expansion but rather the typical gap between the links as they curve around your wrist.
After wearing it for an hour, it was making indents on my wrist. It’s a LITTLE tight.
Got an original one from decades ago, only worn it a couple of times. Mine's just plain old Stainless steel tho.
I've had several of these things on vintage watches., I'll take leather over the "old man band" any day of the week. They must be hell on hairy wrists........
Yea Im obessed with easy-on twist-o-flex bands, it screams GADA to me in a ease of use way. No clasps, just slip on and go. I've got a few of these and here's just a couple. Very nice one u have there too!
I've had several of these things on vintage watches., I'll take leather over the "old man band" any day of the week. They must be hell on hairy wrists........
Oddly enough, this one is not a hair-puller, and I have fairly hairy arms.
I’ve been lucky enough to receive 4 watches from either my pops or grandpa - all had a speidel twist o flex 😂
Looks good to me! Is Speidel the only one making these types of bands these days? I was gifted a 1957 Dial-O-Rama, and it has an Admiral USA band, and I think they’ve gone out of business long ago.
I personally don’t know why these bands aren’t more popular! You just slip it on and go, very convenient and they look good
Looks good to me! Is Speidel the only one making these types of bands these days? I was gifted a 1957 Dial-O-Rama, and it has an Admiral USA band, and I think they’ve gone out of business long ago.
I personally don’t know why these bands aren’t more popular! You just slip it on and go, very convenient and they look good
Hirsch and Bandini come to mind, and of course AliExpress stuff of meaningless or missing brand name. There seems to have been several American manufacturers at one point. The one I have is an Apex.
Hirsch and Bandini come to mind, and of course AliExpress stuff of meaningless or missing brand name. There seems to have been several American manufacturers at one point. The one I have is an Apex.
Yeah, I’ve tried to steer away from the Ali brands as much as possible. No bad experiences, just prefer to support real brands. And yes, I’ve seen a few pictures of different manufacturers!
I’ve put Twist-O-Flex bands on 3 of my 50s-60s watches. They just look right and I find them pretty comfortable. It looks like the right length in your picture, but you might try putting it on a watch pillow for a couple days that’s just a bit bigger than your wrist. The little spring/staples in the bands are pretty tight when new but will loosen up a bit as it’s broken in.
I’ve put Twist-O-Flex bands on 3 of my 50s-60s watches. They just look right and I find them pretty comfortable. It looks like the right length in your picture, but you might try putting it on a watch pillow for a couple days that’s just a bit bigger than your wrist. The little spring/staples in the bands are pretty tight when new but will loosen up a bit as it’s broken in.
Excellent, I was wondering if it would loosen up with time. I’ve worn in off and on all day and it seems to have gotten a little less constricting.
Yea Im obessed with easy-on twist-o-flex bands, it screams GADA to me in a ease of use way. No clasps, just slip on and go. I've got a few of these and here's just a couple. Very nice one u have there too!
I love the big chunky case on the first one. What is it?
Yeah, I’ve tried to steer away from the Ali brands as much as possible. No bad experiences, just prefer to support real brands. And yes, I’ve seen a few pictures of different manufacturers!
Remember those watches are for people like me. People who have no other choice. And don’t even tell me I could buy a Citizen, I can eat at McDonald’s too but I don’t want to. Every time I mention I wear homage watches somebody pops up and goes you could buy a Citizen and be “honest” I would rather have an interesting homage than a boring “ real brand”
Remember those watches are for people like me. People who have no other choice. And don’t even tell me I could buy a Citizen, I can eat at McDonald’s too but I don’t want to. Every time I mention I wear homage watches somebody pops up and goes you could buy a Citizen and be “honest” I would rather have an interesting homage than a boring “ real brand”
No shade at all, I’ve owned numerous Baltany’s and San Martin’s. Now-a-days I’ve moved away from them, which is what I was saying.
I love the big chunky case on the first one. What is it?
Thx for asking the two tone band is on a vintage Straumann automatic. These flex bands are the perfect match to complete that vintage old school charm.