Forster Wide Version Komfit "JB" Mesh Watch Bracelet with Straight Ends
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Forstner's stainless steel expandable mesh watch band (called the "Komfit") was one of the only watch bracelets sanctioned by NASA for use on manned space missions. It was worn by astronauts throughout the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs, and even made it to the surface of the moon. Now, after a long hiatus during which time only vintage models could be sourced at high prices, we have reissued and improved this classic watch strap.
The present wide version Komfit band has all the features that popularized the bracelet with NASA astronauts, but the width has been increased to more contemporary proportions. In particular, this wide version Komfit band has an 18mm wide central mesh portion, and spring-loaded end pieces that expand to fit watches with lugs up to 22mm (it can compress inward to fit watches with lugs as narrow as 19mm). The bracelet is otherwise identical to the classic Komfit -- with its square-patterned mesh, beautifully decorated spring-loaded end pieces, forward-facing clasp, and ability to be easily sized in micro-increments for the perfect fit.
- LUG WIDTH: Straight "universal" fit end piece with spring loaded construction (can compress when pressed). Fits watches with 19mm, 20mm, 21mm, or 22mm lugs. End piece fits spring bars up to 1.8mm thick.
- BRACELET WIDTH: 18 mm at the central mesh portion.
- LENGTH: The Komfit band is offered in two lengths: "Original" and "Regular.
-The “Original" reflects the length once worn by astronauts over their space suits, and as a result is equivalent to a “long" size. The “Original" works best on wrists at least 7 inches (18 cm) in circumference and will fit wrists up to approximately 10 inches (25.5 cm) in circumference.
-The "Regular" was made to fit small to medium wrists, and works best on wrists between 5.75 inches (14.5 cm) and about 7 inches (18 cm) in circumference. For a wrist at 7 inches in circumference, either size will work, but we think the "Original" provides the best look. - We have made several notable improvements over the vintage Komfit. First, whereas the vintage model had end pieces up to only 19mm wide, ours extends to over 20mm. As a result, the band now fits watches with more contemporary proportions, including the Omega Speedmaster Professional (the watch with which astronauts commonly paired this bracelet). Second, the mesh is now slightly wider at 16mm vs. 15mm in the vintage model, to accommodate the wider end piece. Third, the band fits more securely -- whereas the clasp of the vintage versions tended to "slip," the clasp of the reissue has been improved to avoid this problem.
- NOTES: Spring Bars are not included as this bracelet fits universal width