The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I know there are some Omega fans here, wondering if any of you have suggestions for non-Omega mesh braceletes for a large PO. While I know it is not for everyone I really like the look of a mesh bracelet in general and specifically on the Planet Ocean. Doing some digging on the otto frei site and I just can't comprehend why the new style, genuine Omega bracelet is in the neighborhood of just north of $1,000 USD. The older style with the airplane seat belt buckel can be had for quite a bit less, but I want more deployment style clasp, I just don't like that older style buckel.

I really liked the feel of the Breitlign Transocean mesh bracelet I tried on. It comes in 22mm is that sacrilegious, figure long term I could buy a TO head and already have the strap. Can't wear the TO and PO at the same time, right?

So anyone have a recomendation for 3rd party mesh bracelets with nice, comfortable deploymnet style clasps?

I've heard good things about the following aftermarket mesh producers -

- Staib mesh gets good reviews.
- Mesh sold by an ebay seller called Wjean get good review. A lot of WUS guys swear by them - not in the same league as Omega OEM, but pretty damn good for the price. He doesn't have anything for sale at the mo though apparently.
- Helson also make a decent mesh by all accounts.
- Or for genuine but original '70s Omega mesh, try Watchco from Australia. They have a website, but also sell on the Bay as well for a lot less than $1000.

I've not got any personal experience of any of these (other than genuine modern Omega mesh), so I'm not personally endorsing the above. Just saying what I've heard.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Thanks Driver8, Staib is one I have been looking at...probably worth a look at the 130-200 dollar price I am seeing them. I'd really like to keep it all Omega, I just cannot see why they cost $1,000+. I have bitten the bullet and bought Breitling leather/rubber and both deploymnets which are nothing to sneeze at cost wise, but ~700 for the mesh and ~400 for the deployment is out there.

I am still pretty new to the higher end watch thing. Curious if it make any of your skin crawl to think about the Breitling mesh on the PO? I really love my Breitling rubber and deployment and since my SF has 22mm lugs and so does the PO, I'd guess at some point I'd try my Breitling bands/straps on the Omega. $600-ish for the Breitling mesh seems to be in the realm of possible. Guess 99% of the time I am the only one that would know/care what bracelet is on it.

I love mesh straps! I think the airplane clasp only suits vintage models though

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Pain is only weakness leaving the body.

tozzleozzle, great looking watch love it! I agree the airplane buckel seems to fit the vintage watches perfectly.

not a fan but i dont mind mesh

Greetings!
Just got done going through the same dilemma; have a smaller PO (42 mm), that just wasn't comfortable on it's metal bracelet. Looked long at the new current Omega mesh and after handling it, decided it was too expensive and too darn heavy! Looked at the vintage Omega mesh and didn't care for the buckle style. Love the Breitling mesh (on a SOH 38) and gave that some thought, but decided it just wouldn't be right on an Omega. Bought some aftermarket mesh from somewhere (?Wjean) and didn't care for the quality. Got a Helson with mesh (too big for my PO, but it is good mesh). Finally looked at Staib and was thinking I'd go that route; looked to be among the best quality aftermarket (with a price to match, but still affordable). Wasn't certain I could size it down to my small wrist, though, and was a bit worried about the butterfly style deployment buckle. In the end (since I don't wear my PO in water), decided to go with black leather with orange stitching (to match my orange bezel) and traditional stainless buckle from Hirsh. Very happy now!
I'd suggest trying the Staib if mesh is what you really want (and you don't have small wrists).

love mesh on my chrono matic

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I shop at (Andrew Michaels Jewelle's )

grace2939,

Staib makes them in two sizes...going from memory but belive they are 130-150mm and 150-170mm sized by the links obviously. I am right on the cusp of small with lots of links or large with most removed. I'd actually like less of them by the clasp if possible. For the price it seems hard to beat, but I really care more about the quality. Since my large PO will have 22mm lugs I am realling thinking the Breitling mesh from the Transocean I tried on would fit the bill and move me one step closer to a Transocean down the road. All I'd have to buy is the head. Still I feel sort of silly buying a $600+ band from Breitling and putting it on an Omega, not sure why I feel that way but I do.

I'd like to see a Staib in person, and I'd like to see my PO on the Breitling mesh.

only a fan if they're really old (and Breitling supplied)

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"I spent most of my money on Booze, Breitling and Boats. The rest I wasted" - mostly Elmore Leonard

Well, I got around to satisfying my mesh itch. With 3 watchs in the house all at 22mm lugs I think I might give it a try on all of them. Don't think it will look good on the SF but who knows. I think it might do well on the blue faced Colt 44. But for now I am really liking it on the PO. It does grab the hair on my arms from time to time to let me know it is there.

Not knowing if I would like it or not I could not justify the current Omega version. The Breitling one is also quite expensive and did not seem to make sense unless I was really serious about getting a current Transocean. So I went with the thicker (4.5mm) of the two Staib offerings. It sizes with screws not pins, so that made my decision between thinner or thicker pretty easy. Very happy with the quality of the band and overall look. You like???

Not a bad cell phone shot this morning.


Nice shot but not much of the band


More mesh less PO

I can,t fault this mesh and its not Breitling but excellent quality and very,very cheap