heighthorology
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AHA Tantalum Universal Bracelet
A work from the Alternative Horological Alliance (J.N. Shapiro, Ming, Fleming, Fears, and Massena) has created a striking Tantalum bracelet. A true work of machining prowess and innovation. Not brand new but rather new to me. Available in 21, 20, and 19mm lug widths.






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AHA Tantalum Universal Bracelet
By: heighthorology : April 30th, 2025-13:51
A work from the Alternative Horological Alliance (J.N. Shapiro, Ming, Fleming, Fears, and Massena) has created a striking Tantalum bracelet. A true work of machining prowess and innovation. Not brand new but rather new to me. Available in 21, 20, and 19mm...
They are.
By: patrick_y : April 30th, 2025-14:19
I think people here are calling it "great" without any direct experience. My comments below share my concern on the bracelet. Also, the original poster hasn't indicated if he has any direct experience. He says they're a new thing to him - even though they...
Speaking of the steel Ming bracelet...
By: India Whiskey Charlie : April 30th, 2025-15:48
Many have fitted it on their Journe watches with a some success and a slightly lesser gap. Here's a borrowed photo from Instagram: Ming on the right: ...
Oh wow. That looks good! Really good!
By: patrick_y : April 30th, 2025-15:58
I'm not sure about steel spring bars with soft platinum cases. Might be some slight microscopic wear. But that sure does look good!
Spot on! I missed it in the above pictureā¦
By: ArmisT : April 30th, 2025-14:58
just as I did with Ming bracelet I bought. Of course part of that was due to creative marketing and use of shadows by Ming, but I am okay with it after sizing the bracelet properly (per pic below). But it is a lesson learned. ...
What is the rough cost & time for delivery?
By: cazalea : April 30th, 2025-14:27
If it costs many thousand $$ and takes years to deliver, whatās the point of promoting or protesting? The AHA website says nothing on either point, just talks about how difficult it is to make this item which to me says we wonāt see many made and theyāll ...
The price is high.
By: patrick_y : April 30th, 2025-15:09
The price was in the 5 figures in USD. About the cost of an entry-level (new) gold Vacheron Constantin time-only watch. I don't remember the exact price. But it was high for a non precious metal bracelet.
patrick_y makes some very good points.
By: Marc Obermann : April 30th, 2025-14:41
At first glance I thought wow those look rather nice but after reading patrick_y's comments and giving the bracelets and the fitting on the watches a better look I wasn't as impressed as I was at first. I don't have a tantalum watch so I wouldn't be in th...
Thank you for the kind words.
By: patrick_y : April 30th, 2025-15:12
And yes, we've all been foolish - myself many times - when it comes to this hobby. It's natural to be excited when something new is introduced. But, don't be a "fool rushing in" and make a decision right away. It's hard to not be a fool, as the brands hav...
The topic of gaps is an interesting oneā¦
By: ArmisT : April 30th, 2025-15:19
because I see a number of pieces eg Omega with a beads of rice bracelet where thereās a clear gap, but itās accepted as part of the look, vintage perhaps. Against this backdrop, are we being too harsh in our response to bracelet gaps?? Iām not sure based ...
Good point ArmisT! The Omega one shows the gap prominently.
By: patrick_y : April 30th, 2025-15:38
Straight bar gaps are easier to see in the photos and accepted with the vintage sensibility as you pointed out. Curved spring bar gaps are harder to see in photos. And since curved spring bars weren't generally used in the vintage world, we don't have tha...
I think for something billed as āuniversalā
By: takman : April 30th, 2025-17:14
Some amount of space will have to be accepted. Were it a custom made to order bracelet, I could understand the negativity. Rolex released a new bracelet for the 1908 line with very obvious gaps and I only read praise of the āvintageā look. So, I agree the...
Got a little heated in here lol.
By: heighthorology : April 30th, 2025-17:28
I have no direct experience. I just thought it interesting that these watchmakers have teamed up in this way. I think it is excellent looking. The gap between case and bracelet can never be fully closed because of the one size fits all nature of the brace...