When I reviewed the Prometheus Piranha,
I loved everything about it - except the strap. Not that it was a bad
strap. I liked its Isofrane style, but didn't really enjoy the
polyurethane from which it was constructed. I spent the next year or so
swapping it onto various leather and rubber straps but was never
satisfied. The broad-shouldered, angular case needed something else. It
needed a stainless steel bracelet with the same chiseled features as
itself. Lucky for me, Strapcode had just the thing: the MiLTAT Super Engineer Type II. It costs $72.99 and looks like a million bucks.
I finally broke down and bought one
last week, ordering through Strapcode's Amazon Prime store to take
advantage of the 2-day delivery option. It arrived promptly and in
typical Amazon fashion, in an air-pillow filled box that dwarfed its
contents. The bracelet was packed flat in a sealed plastic sleeve,
shrouded in contact wrapping, with rubber caps protecting the end links
and holding a pair a fat spring bars in place. That last bit might be
overkill, but it is a clever touch.
Like the vast majority of watch cases, the Super Engineer II is constructed of 316L stainless steel. Its 4.6mm bracelet and end links are solid, something
you will appreciate the moment you pick it up and sample its 125g (4.4
oz.) weight. Strapcode offers it in sizes 19-24mm (including the
uncommon 19.5mm found on some Seikos) and a variety of end links and
clasps. I chose a 22mm with straight end links and a push button,
flip-lock diver's clasp.
Strapcode
lists this model as having a brushed finish, but the photos tell you it
as polished sides. This is exactly what I wanted to matched the
polished bevels running down the Prometheus. Its chamfered links present
a geometric pattern as the light falls between their angled ends and
reflects off their flat, brushed tops.
The bracelet is 195mm long so I had
to shorten it considerably to fit my 6.5" wrist. Fellow pencil-wrists
needn't fret. Between the removable links and the three micro
adjustments on the clasp, there is more than ample range for adjustment.
I generally hate sizing bracelets but this one was a breeze. The links
are secured with screws that are threaded into the opposite end. No pins
and hammers. No fiddling with two screwdrivers. Everything is precision
fitted and smooth as silk. I think I set a personal best in bracelet
sizing. Reassembled, everything was tight, secure, and rattle-free. The
clasp snaps shut with authority, and pops open smartly.
So there it is. For $72.99 I've got a
high quality bracelet that's pleasure to use and looks like it was made
for my watch. You really can't do better than that.
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