Lets See Your Railroad Approved

[brustlhr]

MINE!!!

[peter-g]

Am I the only one who likes Twist O Flex bracelets or just the only one who will admit it. The quality has gone down since they started making them in China but I still like them and find them to be very comfortable.

I like them .... This is the vintage Twist O Flex I received with the watch.

[oliverb]

I like them .... This is the vintage Twist O Flex I received with the watch.

My knowledge on this subject is sketchy but let's try this on for size:
Early Twist-O-Flex bands were either sized exactly to fit between the lugs (not certain of this) or had sections that could be removed to fit properly. My close friend used to size the early bands for his Dad, who sold them in his store. Later, Speidel used spring loaded ends so one size would fit many cases. Bands with spring loaded ends are the enemy of case lugs. The tension and constant movement wears grooves on the insides of lugs - even SS cases if the bands have been on for a long time. The non-spring loaded ends aren't as bad but will still cause some lug damage over time. The three GP 214/218 Accutrons I have seen with early non-spring loaded bands that were on the watch from the start all have slight erosion on the inside of just one lug - interesting. The 1972 SS cased 23J Whale dial I got recently has non-spring loaded ends on it's original Kreisler band and shows noticeable wear on the inside of every lug. This watch showed signs indicating it was worn daily for many years, thus the wear often not seen on watches with SS cases and metal bands.

[peter-g]

Bands with spring loaded ends are the enemy of case lugs. The tension and constant movement wears grooves on the insides of lugs - even SS cases if the bands have been on for a long time. The non-spring loaded ends aren't as bad but will still cause some lug damage over time. The three GP 214/218 Accutrons I have seen with early non-spring loaded bands that were on the watch from the start all have slight erosion on the inside of just one lug - interesting. The 1972 SS cased 23J Whale dial I got recently has non-spring loaded ends on it's original Kreisler band and shows noticeable wear on the inside of every lug. This watch showed signs indicating it was worn daily for many years, thus the wear often not seen on watches with SS cases and metal bands.

That's very interesting Oliver. It looks like the band has been on the watch for a short period. I have no noticeable wear or damage on the inside of lugs. "I don't mind that" RR is on a leather strap now.

[oliverb]

That's very interesting Oliver. It looks like the band has been on the watch for a short period. I have no noticeable wear or damage on the inside of lugs. "I don't mind that" RR is on a leather strap now.

Yep, mine came with what may be the original black leather strap. I think they look great so dressed.