Formex has the best
7mm of on the fly micro adjust gets a perfect fit

 

I like the Bear Uhrband clasps.

 

I have a couple from watchobsession.

They seem to be of decent enough quality.

 

For single-fold I tend to go with WatchObsession's Hirsch clasps
As for butterfly clasps, a little while ago I bought 2 Vario clasps and plan on ordering some more in various sizes the next time I order straps from them.

I have no real preference. On some straps I just get a better fit with one type, on other straps the other works better for me.
I guess it mostly depends on the length of the strap that normally holds the buckle, as that length determines how the clasp ends up sitting on my wrist.

 

I’ve tried a few aftermarket deployments (sp) and found most to be acceptable. None have been as good quality as the oem. I think the JLC butterfly and the Omega fold over clasps are some of the best. This may b a you get what you paid for situation.

 

I've seen a lot of recommendations for aftermarket bracelets and buckles on WUS and reddit over the years. Many with people absolutely swearing by them.

All have been crap.

Would approach carefully. There's probably a gap in the market, but you'd face a giant hurdle of convincing people who actually care / can discern the quality difference to believe that "itll be different this time". And those that can't tell... well, they will be happy with their uncle seiko or whatever at the cheaper pricepoint.

 

I bought a $40 verson off Ali-X and love it (omega style). in pictures I can't tell the difference between a $10 and a $40 version, but the former has horrible mfg, the latter has very nice tight tolerances and is about as good as anything aftermarket.

I also have a $100 Formex. Nice, but realistically it is partially made of fragile plastic (I broke mine), the "adjustment" always resets back to loose. Has to have the proper hole spacing on the strap. Great concept, but not great execution. Well made though.

 

I've heard good things about Formex, but I've largely given up on aftermarket clasps after buying several. I just suck it up and buy OEM. The best butterfly I've found that I still use is from Bob Davis on Mywatchmaker.net, but I don't think he's in business anymore. Not OEM finishing quality, but better made than your typical Ali Express special which is what most brands sell.

 

I got one from Artem, along with a very nice sailcloth strap, and think it is about as nice as any of the aftermarket ones I've seen. That being said, it is not of the same quality as my Omega. I do agree with you though, it does seem like there is a hole in the market place that could be filled if somebody wanted to.

 

Agree with the Formex suggestion. They are very well made and super comfortable.

 

Artem's deployant clasp seems to be closely resembling the designs of Blancpain's clasp for their Leman series in the 2010s. I never tried the Artem version but have been using the Blancpain version with no issues (spring loaded without a locking mechanism). The spring on mine is actually pretty tight and at no time I would feel insecure with my watch. I would say worth to try it out. I only tried out one cheap deployant clasp about 10 years ago and was pretty disappointed in it. It added a lot of thickness which I did not like. While it had a locking mechanism, it would easily unlock with the slightest pressure around the clasp. Since then, I stopped buying aftermarket clasp, and would rather work with a pin buckle if I have to.

 

I just want to thank you for correctly using the word "deployant" and not deployment

 

I like WatchGecko's deployants, although they're only available in 16 and 18mm sizes.

Artem's clasps are nice, but I think they're branded versions of the same clasps you can get on AliExpress, albeit with better quality control. Given the price difference, though, you can buy 3 of the same clasp on AliExpress, pick the best of the three, and still pay half the price of Artem.

 

Thanks, all. It seems like there really is a huge gap in quality between OEM and the aftermarket options. I guess it is either the Artem or OEM for me. Given that I can get seven of the Artems for the price of the G.O. OEM, it seems like the best value going. Although the Formex are interesting, their use of "injected micro fiber carbon composite" sounds a lot like plastic with carbon fiber added to me. Not the feel I am seeking. Still hoping someone knows of a sweet micro brand that has been under the radar.

 

Formex also has metal deployants

 

Do you have a link? This shows only the carbon/plastic ones, I think.

 

I've found this is a 'you get what you pay for' type of deal. I've got an aftermarket version of the Omega deployant and the real thing in Ti. The real thing blows the aftermarket out of the water.

 

I have the Artem RM style clasp and it works well and feels solid. My only gripe with it is that the holes in the strap are just a little too big for the peg on the clasp and sometimes it can come loose. The strap itself has help up well!

 

Thanks, @Tohono Rat, for this topic. I’ve often wondered the same thing. I’ll be paying attention to the responses and checking some of them out.

I have a couple of the Artem RM-style clasps. I really like them and have no problem with them not locking. I think the design works well…at least for now. I’ll be interested to see if the leaf springs the provide tension weaken over time with repeated use. I don’t think they will, but I’m curious to see how it turns out.