A pretentious, snobby, old fashioned guide to choosing a strap

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Oh damn, I hope you don't have that listed on ebay or it's not gonna last long now! Which reminds me to hit your store later for a new one for my new Breitling chrono. 😀

this watch & strap are keepers, luv how the strap color has aged, and the watch is so small no one wants it but me 😎
jk: i rarely turn a watch loose, seems regret always follows
 
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okie i'll take another shot with the shell cordovan.
how about this match:
29mm case
1.4mm shell cordovan "slip-thru with pad"

Grade: A
A radium dial vintage military watch on a bund. I salute your taste, Sir!
 
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"Proper" in every sense, other than the fact that this Nile Crocodile leather is banned in many parts of the civilized world...



...cow something, definitely a grey area...but I love it for casual wear...especially since I don't report to an office anymore (Yay, Pandemic) and there are only so many opportunities for weddings, funerals, bar-mitzvahs, bat-mitzvahs, christenings, Nobel award ceremonies etc.



...and possibly the most egregious...genuine ostrich, wich I love for travel -- and this is a great travel watch...



...and finally, this one, from my last cattle drive 😀

Grade: C

The first two reversos look nice, and you get extra points for trafficking in exotic animals in the name of style. Pharaoh Ramses would have worn the same on his sun dial watch.
Reversos are kind of unique in that they're technically sports watches, though they're usually not thought of as such these days. For that reason I think crocodile and calf both work. Just save the calf for when you're actually playing polo. The third one is the wrong color. I'd have put the black strap on the black watch.
As for the Explorer, I'm inclined to give you a compete fail, unless there's a provable historical precedent, I.E. that's how Hillary wore it.
 
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Nevers

Never put stingray, ostrich, suede, velcro or or any strap with more than one color on any watch. Doing this screams, "I hate my watch and am trying to distract you from it with an ugly strap".

What about bracelets with more than one color? Surely that's allowed?

 
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What about bracelets with more than one color? Surely that's allowed?

I need to up my game as I see an N.G. incoming for you.
 
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What about bracelets with more than one color? Surely that's allowed?

Put that on a green watch and you'll be all set for Mardi Gras!
 
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What about bracelets with more than one color? Surely that's allowed?


Grade: F
Is there a watch in that photo? I didn't see it. Seriously, give Elton John his bracelet back.
 
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Grade: F
Is there a watch in that photo? I didn't see it. Seriously, give Elton John his bracelet back.
This thread just keeps on giving.
 
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New submission Cognac Croc!! (as suggested)

Mmmmm, I like that and my gold-plated Seamaster needs a better matching strap. It's on very plain black ATM which was a hurried purchase.
 
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MRC MRC
Mmmmm, I like that and my gold-plated Seamaster needs a better matching strap. It's on very plain black ATM which was a hurried purchase.
Delugs. Just got it quite pleased.
 
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Which strap shows it best?


Grade: A-
Nice 7a28 RAF. The grey NATO is what those were issued with. I can't tell from the photo if yours is the original, but if not, it's at least close, so well done.
The bund... I mean it is a military issued pilot's chronograph, so you're in the neighborhood, just a few decades too new. Because I like the watch, I'll give you some slack and let you play soldier. Just promise you'll only wear it like that when you're LARPing or playing 1943 on an original NES.
If you can prove it flew over the Falklands, I'll raise your grade to an A.
 
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Grade: A-
Nice 7a28 RAF. The grey NATO is what those were issued with. I can't tell from the photo if yours is the original, but if not, it's at least close, so well done.
The bund... I mean it is a military issued pilot's chronograph, so you're in the neighborhood, just a few decades too new. Because I like the watch, I'll give you some slack and let you play soldier. Just promise you'll only wear it like that when you're LARPing or playing 1943 on an original NES.
If you can prove it flew over the Falklands, I'll raise your grade to an A.

I will need to accept the A- as the bund came from a very nice leather strap outfit called Pride and Bright from Ukraine , before the invasion, on Etsy. I read that orig Gen 1 was issued with a dark brown pigskin bund piece with a 1 piece brown nylon single pass NATO like strap, but most of pilots swapped out for the grey NATO. Thanks for your review!!
 
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My favorite thing about this thread is that @bradurani is now obligated to come up with witty criticism of every post here until the end of time. Let's keep him busy!
 
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Well better get the wife's permission to order a black rubber one and explain it's bad etiquette to be seen with these.
 
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My favorite thing about this thread is that @bradurani is now obligated to come up with witty criticism of every post here until the end of time. Let's keep him busy!
So far he gets an A in that department IMO
 
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you get extra points for trafficking in exotic animals in the name of style.

This is my pick for the day. Good job 😁
 
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Well better get the wife's permission to order a black rubber one and explain it's bad etiquette to be seen with these.

Grade: F
There's no orange on the watch, and you've got very modern looking straps on a faux vintage watch. The result is a clash of styles. You need a faux vintage rubber strap for that. You're probably one of those resto-modders who puts orange pin stripes on innocent vintage cars. Fie to your anachronisms