[SeasickWalnut]

I recently purchased a NoS first generation Fossil Abacus. Unfortunately, the synthetic rubber frame of the wristband has severely deteriorated. A standard replacement band won’t work because of the Abacus’ abnormal lug shape and the IR transceiver protrusion. It would leave unsightly gaps and be unstable. Fossil unsurprisingly has nothing in the way of replacement bands 19 years later. I’ve contacted them online and tried a brick-and-mortar location to no avail.

I’m thinking custom fabrication might be the best/only option going forward. I could pay someone to CAD a band and print it in synthetic rubber. Alternatively, I could see if a leatherworker can construct a bespoke strap, though this would probably be more expensive option. Which approach would you recommend, or am I missing something entirely? How would I make this the most economical?

 

[Chascomm]

I recently purchased a NoS first generation Fossil Abacus. Unfortunately, the synthetic rubber frame of the wristband has severely deteriorated. A standard replacement band won’t work because of the Abacus’ abnormal lug shape and the IR transceiver protrusion. It would leave unsightly gaps and be unstable. Fossil unsurprisingly has nothing in the way of replacement bands 19 years later. I’ve contacted them online and tried a brick-and-mortar location to no avail.

I’m thinking custom fabrication might be the best/only option going forward. I could pay someone to CAD a band and print it in synthetic rubber. Alternatively, I could see if a leatherworker can construct a bespoke strap, though this would probably be more expensive option. Which approach would you recommend, or am I missing something entirely? How would I make this the most economical? View attachment 16952505 View attachment 16952506 View attachment 16952507

Can you post a photo without the strap attached?

 

[SeasickWalnut]

Of course, I hope these help:

 

[Chascomm]

I don’t really understand how a conventional strap would not fit.

 

[SeasickWalnut]

I don’t really understand how a conventional strap would not fit.

A conventional strap could physically fit on the watch but would leave gaps that detract from long-term stability and look pretty bad. Maybe these photos will help—the leather strap is clearly too wide, but they might clarify the “fit” situation with the watch contours.

 

[lvoky]

I recently purchased a NoS first generation Fossil Abacus. Unfortunately, the synthetic rubber frame of the wristband has severely deteriorated. A standard replacement band won’t work because of the Abacus’ abnormal lug shape and the IR transceiver protrusion. It would leave unsightly gaps and be unstable. Fossil unsurprisingly has nothing in the way of replacement bands 19 years later. I’ve contacted them online and tried a brick-and-mortar location to no avail.

I’m thinking custom fabrication might be the best/only option going forward. I could pay someone to CAD a band and print it in synthetic rubber. Alternatively, I could see if a leatherworker can construct a bespoke strap, though this would probably be more expensive option. Which approach would you recommend, or am I missing something entirely? How would I make this the most economical?

Oh, have You found some solution to this? I also have a pretty nice Abacus, the same series, but my band is falling into pieces as well and I'd like to replace it with a fitting one...

 

[SeasickWalnut]

Oh, have You found some solution to this? I also have a pretty nice Abacus, the same series, but my band is falling into pieces as well and I'd like to replace it with a fitting one...

Unfortunately not. Here's more detail on my efforts if it help you though. So far, I've tried leather places and looked into custom 3D modeling/printing. Quotes for CAD files are 1k-5k, which would also require shipping the watch out to Pakistan or Nigeria. At that price point, you're better off just buying a new watch imo. Leather straps can't accommodate the specially molded plastic piece which rests against the watch body. Any leather strap would either overlap the body or have an unsightly chunk missing below the lugs (see: photos). Nature of the material. I've also asked a few places if they can keep the molded plastic piece and stitch a leather strap onto it. They've said their machines can't handle plastic.

Here's hoping you have better luck than me. If you find a solution, please let me know!

 

[pteranodon]

I know this won't help in your search for an exact replacement but may be good enough in the meantime.

When I needed a strap for a similarly wide watch with a flared strap I used a generic silicone one for the Bell & Ross BR01 and trimmed to fit.

e.g.

24mm Black Rubber Strap Band fit Bell and Ross watches BR-01 BR-03 + Pins/Tool | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 24mm Black Rubber Strap Band fit Bell and Ross watches BR-01 BR-03 + Pins/Tool at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Stchambe]

I recently purchased a NoS first generation Fossil Abacus. Unfortunately, the synthetic rubber frame of the wristband has severely deteriorated. A standard replacement band won’t work because of the Abacus’ abnormal lug shape and the IR transceiver protrusion. It would leave unsightly gaps and be unstable. Fossil unsurprisingly has nothing in the way of replacement bands 19 years later. I’ve contacted them online and tried a brick-and-mortar location to no avail.

I’m thinking custom fabrication might be the best/only option going forward. I could pay someone to CAD a band and print it in synthetic rubber. Alternatively, I could see if a leatherworker can construct a bespoke strap, though this would probably be more expensive option. Which approach would you recommend, or am I missing something entirely? How would I make this the most economical? View attachment 16952505 View attachment 16952506 View attachment 16952507

I think your cheapest option may be to get someone to 3d-print something close to the shape of the rubber frame to be able to maintain the integrated look. Then spec the 3d-printed frame to be made to support some kind of standard strap width. You will probably have to give up the idea of having a fully integrated rubber/leather strap.

Getting someone to custom make a new rubber frame seems like an either impossible or extremely costly task.

The only other options is to keep searching ebay or some similar website and hope another Abacus comes for sale that you can scavenge for parts.

 

[SeasickWalnut]

I found a solution. 3D scanning is less labor intensive and therefore cheaper than straight CAD. Hired a guy off Fiver to model it and print it in NinjaFlex. Here's the CAD model for those of you with 3D printing capabilities: 2.79 MB folder on MEGA

Hope this helps!

 

[Rocket1991]

I found a solution. 3D scanning is less labor intensive and therefore cheaper than straight CAD. Hired a guy off Fiver to model it and print it in NinjaFlex. Here's the CAD model for those of you with 3D printing capabilities: 2.79 MB folder on MEGA

Hope this helps!

You could of ordered 21mm strap or just used silicon one and a bit of sharp instrument. Or sandpaper. You overcomplicating things.

 

[SeasickWalnut]

You could of ordered 21mm strap or just used silicon one and a bit of sharp instrument. Or sandpaper. You overcomplicating things.

You’re right, though that would definitely have minor stability implications. This is a more elegant picture solution though. Maybe it’s sour grapes on my part, but at least now the files are there for others to take advantage of.

 

[pteranodon]

I'd say 3D printing is by far the most interesting and entertaining solution so I'm all for it.

Has it been delivered yet? Go on, show us!