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- Forstner Klip Stainless Steel Ladder Watch Bracelet
Forstner Klip Stainless Steel Ladder Watch Bracelet
- Price
- $129
Holben’s Fine Watch Bands is a U.S.-based online retailer specializing in high-quality watch straps and metal bracelets for modern and vintage watches. Our collection brings together established manufacturers and proven designs, with close attention to materials, fit, and compatibility. We operate exclusively online and ship worldwide.
- Independent, family-owned business
- Specializing in watch straps and bracelets since 2007
- Authorized retailer for established global brands
- All products stocked and shipped directly by us
Why Holben’s
Holben’s exists for people who care about how a watch fits, wears, and holds up over time. We focus on straps and bracelets because they are the most important interface between a watch and its owner, and often the most overlooked.
Rather than offering thousands of interchangeable options, we curate products from manufacturers we trust, based on materials, construction, and long-term wear. We do not sell generic private-label straps, trend-driven designs, or factory goods with no provenance. Every product we carry is chosen with compatibility, durability, and real-world use in mind.
Our Story
Holben’s began with a lifelong interest in watches. For Mike, the owner, that interest started in 1976 with a Tony the Tiger wristwatch. At the time, it was his first real introduction to watches, and it sparked an interest that never faded. Over the years, his collection expanded to include digital calculator watches, early Swatches, and eventually vintage mechanical pieces, including a 1920s Elgin Tank-style watch. 
While working in architectural preservation, Mike developed hands-on experience restoring watches and deepened his understanding of horological history, construction, and materials. That work led naturally into watch collecting and restoration, and in 1998 Holben’s was founded as an independent watch business. Since then, more than 20,000 wristwatches have been sold to customers worldwide.
In 2007, the focus expanded to include watch-related accessories for both men and women. Over time, the business shifted toward straps and bracelets as collectors increasingly sought better ways to properly fit, wear, and preserve their watches. After hundreds of thousands of watch straps and buckles sold, Holben’s is now known within the watch community as a reliable source for outfitting everything from vintage pieces to modern designs.
Holben’s is based on an island in the Pacific Northwest. As a family-owned business, we personally handle every order, from answering pre-purchase questions to packing with care and managing returns or exchanges when needed.
Experience and Trust
Holben’s has been operating as an independent watch business since 1998 and has specialized in watch straps and accessories since 2007. Over that time, we have shipped hundreds of thousands of watch straps and bracelets to customers worldwide. All orders ship from our U.S. location.
We are an authorized retailer for every brand we sell, and all inventory is stocked and shipped directly by us. Customer questions are answered by people who handle the products daily, not outsourced support teams.
We work with reputable European, Australian, and American manufacturers whose products meet our standards for materials, construction, and consistency. This includes brands such as Artem, Bonetto Cinturini, Cape Cod Polish, ColaReb, Di-Modell, Erika’s Originals, EULIT, Fluco, Forstner/JB Champion, Hadley-Roma, Haveston, Hirsch, ISOfrane, Molequin, RIOS1931, Staib, and TROPIC®.
Although Mike’s personal collection has evolved over time, the Tony the Tiger watch that started it all remains a reminder of why watches and the details around them matter.
Returns and Support
Choosing the right watch strap can sometimes take a second look. If something isn’t right, we work with customers to resolve issues quickly and fairly.
Questions are answered by people who handle the products every day, and returns or exchanges are handled directly by our team, without automated systems or third-party support.
Who We’re For
Holben’s is built for collectors, enthusiasts, and everyday watch owners who want their watches to fit correctly and wear comfortably. Whether you are preserving a vintage piece or improving the wearability of a modern watch, our goal is to help you choose the right strap the first time.
Explore the collection:
Shop watch straps · Shop bracelets · Find your strap size
With the Bonklip-style Klip watch bracelet, Forstner brings back one of the most popular bands in its historic catalog. In the 1940s, the company created a series of ladder-design stainless steel bracelets with many of the same features that popularized the Komfit among NASA astronauts. The bands were adjustable in increments of approximately 3mm, fit a wide variety of wrist sizes and, of course, were extremely comfortable. They were often included with military-supplied watches having fixed lugs (for example, the English-made Bonklip was supplied with the IWC Mark XI). Forstner later created an improved version, with a spring-loaded clasp that made the wearing experience more intuitive yet still secure. This feature is included on the current reissue.
Material:
- Made entirely of stainless steel.
- Ladder section features alternating brushed and polished finishes.
- Polished spring-loaded clasp.
- End pieces are fixed design.
- Light, breathable and comfortable.
Sizing:
- Available in 18mm, 19mm, 20mm, 21mm and 22mm.
- 1.8mm thick.
- Central ladder portion is 18mm wide.
- Adjustable (in approximately 3mm increments) from 115mm - 230mm.
- Fits wrists approximately 6-1/2" - 8-3/4".
- End pieces fit fixed lug bars up to 1.5mm thick (a 1.5mm slit behind the pieces clips over the bars).
- New to Forstner? Here are instructions for wearing your Klip bracelet.
I have slowly been adding some vintage watches to the collection, and wanted to try this Forstner Kiip bracelet on a Mido Multi Centerchrono. The look is fantastic, a great match for the watch. But that's not the best part. The design of this bracelet makes it among the most comfortable bracelets I own. It is adjustable in small increments without moving tiny springs from one hole to another. Instead, you pull it as snug as you prefer, then hook the clasp directly into the bracelet. It's the first of its kind for me, so there was a bit of a learning curve for this style. I quickly discovered a sure way to connect it quickly and comfortably by pinching the buttons on the clasp, hooking one side of the clasp then following with the other side and releasing the buttons. I prefer to wear it slightly snug, and the "slack" (part of the bracelet that stacks upon itself) remains evenly lined with the bracelet beneath it for a clean look. Some reviews I have seen suggest the bracelet may come loose, but I have made a conscious effort to shake it loose and it stays put as I would expect. Highly recommended for comfort and style, and as always, Holben's customer service is unparalleled. Excellent price, quick and secure shipping, and no issues.
The Forstner Klip bracelet works very well. The bracelet is secure and is adjustable so that you can get an exact fit. It also looks great. Love the vintage look on my Smith’s PR-48!
I have been a fan and subscriber of Holdens for quite a whole now. I have a large array of straps for Holben. Holbens started supplying mme with short length straps before anyone else. I have also been a fan of both the old JB Champion bracelets and the new Forstner bracelets. Even owning a few. So, I ordered this klip style bracelet that’s been on my radar for some time now. When it arrive I couldn’t believe how light and thin it was. I was expecting a substantial metal bracelet.