The Casio Duro is an insanely popular watch. So naturally, there’s ton of aftermarket bracelet solutions for it. But if you’ve been searching for the best three-link option, look no further: this is it. Perfect fit, beautifully machined female endlinks…. the best aftermarket options are the ones that don’t look aftermarket and “BRAC-74” is just that.
As you can see, next to a Tag Heuer of similar purpose & dimensions, the Duro can now hold its ground in presence & finishing. The little Casio really is one [good] bracelet away from hanging out with the big boys. So why only 4 stars??
Well, despite the bracelet costing almost as much as the watch itself, you still have to put in some work. The provided spring bars will slip out of their holes, so you better use the ones that come with the OEM resin strap. On my example, the endlink at 12 wouldn’t fit so I had to exchange it with the one at 6. But the worst of it all, the CLASP.
The clasp that came with the bracelet is arguably the single worst/cheapest clasp system in existence. It’s the one you get when buying 2 figures timepieces on Aliexpress. It rattles a ton, and the safety latch is barely held together by a single pin. On each side of the said pin, there’s a little metal cap preventing the pin from falling out. This flawed design has nothing preventing THE CAPS from falling out and they always will. Then the pin, other side cap and the latch will all fall off the clasp unnoticed. Naturally, you learn soon enough to crosshop for a decent clasp every time you order a cheap watch with this dreadful design. Or better yet, you get a complete aftermarket bracelet with gorgeous links and a nice OTF clasp.
But buying an aftermarket bracelet AND STILL HAVE to crosshop for a decent clasp?? That’s certainly new to me. Naturally, Islander thought of this, and they’ll gladly sell you an OTF clasp for, well, just as much as the bracelet (!). Next level greed in effect. I found on Aliexpress a similar, sleeker and slimer OTF system for 1/3 of what Islander are asking for theirs. Even though it’s installed on the pictures, it wouldn’t be appropriate to showcasing it here since it’s not a product Serious Watches are selling.
Since I got this bracelet as part of a trade-in deal, I basically just paid for the Ali OTF clasp. But for someone paying 65 euros for an aftermarket bracelet on their 79 euros watch, having to add another twenty for a decent clasp might not sound great. Come on Islander, you can do better than this!
