Mods, if this isn't the right place, my apologies. Feel free to move it.
I recently purchased the Uncle Seiko President 1171 bracelet, and I thought I'd give a review comparing it to my Omega 1171 that I got in January. A little background, I got my Speedmaster about a year ago. Its a 2017 model, so all of this will be based on current case sizes as far as endlinks are concerned. I struggled with the watch for the first part of the year because I just couldn't fall in love with the bracelet. I needed something slimmer and with a better taper. I have a 6.75" wrist, give or take.
I ordered my 1171 from an OB in my area, and they first tried to install it with the 676 endlinks, and the fit just wasn't quite right. OB did not want to install it with the 633s since they needed to be filed down, but I got them to size it and install it on a set of aftermarket endlinks that had an ok fit. I filed down the 633's, but it still wasn't quite right. It is also worth noting that my 633's were pretty squished when I got them (they mailed them to me).
(Omega 633 Endlink Fit Issues, notice the gap above the lug)
![Watch Analog watch Watch accessory Fashion accessory Silver]()
That being said, I adore the 1171. It took the Speedy from "a" watch to "my" watch. But $450+ is pretty expensive for a jangly bracelet with folded center links. I was excited to try the Uncle Seiko.
The finishing and overall look of the US is great. I prefer the solid center links, even though you can't see them when the bracelet is on. It is worth mentioning that the link sizes aren't exactly the same (vintage 1171's may be a little different as well). For the same number of links, the US is noticeably longer.
(Note the longer length per the same # of links, Omega is on the right)
![Turquoise Fashion accessory Jewellery Turquoise Hand]()
![Fashion accessory Metal Watch accessory Titanium Jewellery]()
In order to size it to fit me, I had to take out all of the removable links on the 6:00 side, so I'd take his advice and wait for his MkII if your wrist is smaller than mine. This caused a fit issue for me since the clasp wouldn't center on my wrist, but removing another link would have put it too far the other way. I moved the 6:00 side of the clasp down one hole on the micro adjust, but I feel like this is less secure.
![Watch Analog watch Watch accessory Strap Fashion accessory]()
My other big complaint about the bracelet was that I had a problem with one of the friction pins, which destroyed my cheap bracelet sizing tool, and caused me to mark up the pin hole on the bracelet pretty bad. All of the other pins were fine, but YMMV.
The clasps are pretty similar, but this finish is different. The clasp cover is maybe slightly nicer on the Omega, but not by much. Both close with a solid click and feel secure.
The best part of the bracelet for me is the end links. For the life of me, I don't know why Omega can't sort this out. The US ones fit like a dream, and were easy to install. The bracelet feels solid, and captures the overall look and feel of my 1171.
(Final Product, Omega 1171 with Uncle Seiko endlinks)
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So, the big question: which would I buy? Well, that is tough. $450 is stupid for this bracelet, but it was worth it to make an almost-perfect watch perfect to me. If you can make it fit, and you have the same issues with the modern speedy bracelet, I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to order the Uncle Seiko. If I could get the fit right, I would probably swap the clasp cover for the Omega logo because I'm shallow like that. I prefer the solid center links, and it feels slightly more solid than the Omega. As it is, I put the Omega 1171 back on, but with the Uncle Seiko end links.
TLDR, if you think $450+ is too much to pay for the Omega 1171, and you can get it to fit, buy the Uncle Seiko.
I recently purchased the Uncle Seiko President 1171 bracelet, and I thought I'd give a review comparing it to my Omega 1171 that I got in January. A little background, I got my Speedmaster about a year ago. Its a 2017 model, so all of this will be based on current case sizes as far as endlinks are concerned. I struggled with the watch for the first part of the year because I just couldn't fall in love with the bracelet. I needed something slimmer and with a better taper. I have a 6.75" wrist, give or take.
I ordered my 1171 from an OB in my area, and they first tried to install it with the 676 endlinks, and the fit just wasn't quite right. OB did not want to install it with the 633s since they needed to be filed down, but I got them to size it and install it on a set of aftermarket endlinks that had an ok fit. I filed down the 633's, but it still wasn't quite right. It is also worth noting that my 633's were pretty squished when I got them (they mailed them to me).
(Omega 633 Endlink Fit Issues, notice the gap above the lug)
That being said, I adore the 1171. It took the Speedy from "a" watch to "my" watch. But $450+ is pretty expensive for a jangly bracelet with folded center links. I was excited to try the Uncle Seiko.
The finishing and overall look of the US is great. I prefer the solid center links, even though you can't see them when the bracelet is on. It is worth mentioning that the link sizes aren't exactly the same (vintage 1171's may be a little different as well). For the same number of links, the US is noticeably longer.
(Note the longer length per the same # of links, Omega is on the right)
In order to size it to fit me, I had to take out all of the removable links on the 6:00 side, so I'd take his advice and wait for his MkII if your wrist is smaller than mine. This caused a fit issue for me since the clasp wouldn't center on my wrist, but removing another link would have put it too far the other way. I moved the 6:00 side of the clasp down one hole on the micro adjust, but I feel like this is less secure.
My other big complaint about the bracelet was that I had a problem with one of the friction pins, which destroyed my cheap bracelet sizing tool, and caused me to mark up the pin hole on the bracelet pretty bad. All of the other pins were fine, but YMMV.
The clasps are pretty similar, but this finish is different. The clasp cover is maybe slightly nicer on the Omega, but not by much. Both close with a solid click and feel secure.
The best part of the bracelet for me is the end links. For the life of me, I don't know why Omega can't sort this out. The US ones fit like a dream, and were easy to install. The bracelet feels solid, and captures the overall look and feel of my 1171.
(Final Product, Omega 1171 with Uncle Seiko endlinks)
So, the big question: which would I buy? Well, that is tough. $450 is stupid for this bracelet, but it was worth it to make an almost-perfect watch perfect to me. If you can make it fit, and you have the same issues with the modern speedy bracelet, I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to order the Uncle Seiko. If I could get the fit right, I would probably swap the clasp cover for the Omega logo because I'm shallow like that. I prefer the solid center links, and it feels slightly more solid than the Omega. As it is, I put the Omega 1171 back on, but with the Uncle Seiko end links.
TLDR, if you think $450+ is too much to pay for the Omega 1171, and you can get it to fit, buy the Uncle Seiko.
