Can you make a Doxa better?

[demer03]

Those of you who know me, know the biggest issue I have with modern Doxa is the bracelets. Nothing, for me, beats true beads of rice. The new ones are rigid, heavy, and not as plyable. The newest rendition is better, but still misses the mark.

Doxa always says, the old style was weak and fallible. I disagree. I have been rebuilding and restoring them for years. Did they wear more than the watch, sure, but the trade off is the most comfortable bracelet design I've ever worn (Rolex Jubilee is dead on too).

So.... I an loving the Tgraph, but not on bracelet. Got a wild hair and snagged an old BOR from ebay...voila;









Not perfect...beads splay a little at the end link...this is a "Bulova" brand...but with a little sourcing and work I can franken-build a better mousetrap.

I wish Doxa would embrace this concept....I'd pay more to get it.

Maybe before I die

[r.palace]

I'd agree with you Mike that the only Doxa bracelet I like is the BOR.

That being said, this one gives the Tgraph a nice vintage look. A bit of a narrow taper but I can still dig it

[demer03]

Agree on the taper. It will take some searching, but I will find the right parts. Point being....it can be done...muhahahaha

I'll get to this...eventually.

[kfalk]

Whew...for a second I thought this was going to turn into a sales thread.

Looks good - MacGyver of the BOR.

edit: I would be down with the newer generation if they were tapered. The 1000t and 1200t's aren't huge and don't need a non-tapering bracelet.

[hoppyjr]

Good job Mike, you "made it your own"

[rockmastermike]

glad you found what makes you happy

[dukerules]

Love it. Good job.

[Ryeguy]

Have you looked at Harold's (Yobokies) BOR bracelet? It is also a true BOR design (solid, individual beads). I have one and can measure the beads for you to help determine if it would potentially be a better fit to those endlinks.

Another option is buying it with SRP777 endlinks. Yobokies BOR endlinks are hollow, so you can fit them to other, similar style cases with a little bit of modification.

As an example, this is a Yobokies BOR fitted to my CREPAS TACTICO TC-2 (next to my old CREPAS Cayman):

[jimyritz]

Well done Mike--Whatever works best for you

[unixshrk]

Looks great

[demer03]

Have you looked at Harold's (Yobokies) BOR bracelet? It is also a true BOR design (solid, individual beads). I have one and can measure the beads for you to help determine if it would potentially be a better fit to those endlinks.

That is what the new doxa bracelet is...and it's not "true". It is individual "blocks", so some float happens, but very little.

A true BOR bracelet should fall in a pile, or lump.

[mellonb1]

Looks great, Mike.

[Ryeguy]

Have you looked at Harold's (Yobokies) BOR bracelet? It is also a true BOR design (solid, individual beads). I have one and can measure the beads for you to help determine if it would potentially be a better fit to those endlinks.

That is what the new doxa bracelet is...and it's not "true". It is individual "blocks", so some float happens, but very little.

A true BOR bracelet should fall in a pile, or lump.

I think I am on the same page as you... Harold's BOR is individual "beads" and does fall into a "pile" when placed on a table. It does not "fold" like an oyster style bracelet.

Some of the modern Doxa bracelets seem more "BOR-like" than actual BOR. They are more similar to an oyster bracelet with individual bars machined to look like beads, but is in fact a solid bar.

Not trying to promote Harold's products, but I found his BOR to be good quality, very comfortable to wear, and with the folded endlinks, fairly adaptable to non-Seiko cases.

Here are a couple more photos of the TC-2 on the BOR. I hope they illustrate it a bit better. I can snap some more tomorrow. Heck - I might be confused as I thought this was a "true" BOR so if I am mistaken, I'm happy to be educated.

[toxicavenger]

yobokies

[demer03]

His are blocks...not beads, unless I am wrong. The difference is huge in weight and flex.

Bead:

[toxicavenger]

His are blocks...not beads, unless I am wrong. The difference is huge in weight and flex.

Bead:

oh those are hollow beads, these are solid individual beads

[demer03]

Can his be disassembled? Are all those pins removable?

If so....you could install the ring beads.

[Ryeguy]

I'm fairly certain all the pins are removeable in Harold's BOR bracelet, but I'm not certain I would want to go through the process of swapping out his solid beads for hollow ones. While Harold's beads are solid, they are uniformly rounded on both the sides and ends ( "blocks" would not be an accurate discription) so the bracelet is extremely flexible. I think it strikes a nice balance between being very flexible yet also feeling strong and rugged.

Again, my suggestion isn't meant to be a sales pitch for Harold. It's just another option potentially worth exploring (or not).

[andrema]

Good job, Mike! Looks nice!

[demer03]

I'm fairly certain all the pins are removeable in Harold's BOR bracelet, but I'm not certain I would want to go through the process of swapping out his solid beads for hollow ones. While Harold's beads are solid, they are uniformly rounded on both the sides and ends ( "blocks" would not be an accurate discription) so the bracelet is extremely flexible. I think it strikes a nice balance between being very flexible yet also feeling strong and rugged.

Again, my suggestion isn't meant to be a sales pitch for Harold. It's just another option potentially worth exploring (or not).

Honestly not being argumentative, but I'm very particular about what works/doesn't work. Been down many paths. I know traditional beads...ring style...is what works for me. Solid blocks/beads just don't offer the flex and weight I'm looking to recreate.

I might contact seikoboy and see if they can be disassembled. Especially if the links are wider than 18mm.

Appreciate the input. Seriously.

[CGSshorty]

I'll be the turd in the punch bowl. It doesn't look nearly robust enough for that big case. I much prefer the look of the standard bracelet or the Isofrane. That BOR belongs on one of your vintage Doxa.

[demer03]

It's because of the lack of taper. I'll get there eventually.