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

bradurani · May 28, 2023

queriver
@bradurani , every good turn needs a response and because you gave me A- here's something for you....
Obviously Omega are ignorant of the strap rules for their own Speedmaster, so 2 business opportunities are presented here for you:
(1) Infuse their people with your indubitable talent for style by offering to run training courses. These will undoubtedly be successful and that will naturally lead to the opportunity for you to
(2) collab with Omega to develop your very own Omega X Bradurani strap collection.
I'm certain the good people of OF will support you.

Grade: C-
Leather IS correct for chronographs, but smooth, untextured leather always looks boring. The color is wrong too. There's no brown on the watch, so there should be no brown in the strap.
I'll say it again, for those who are not paying attention: Speedmaster Professionals go on BLACK!
Here's mine, on a Bulang & Sons

bradurani · Jun 8, 2023

So you all know I practice what I preach, here's my new strap from Tuns Leather:

Grade A+
Great pairing, Brad! Wow, you have amazing taste. Black or brown would have been possibly more correct for a dress watch, but a vintage Grand Seiko isn't really a pure dress watch. It's more of in betweener, so you're allowed a bit of liberty on the color. Going with the flat, unpadded, stitchless style of alligator strap is smack on perfect. You can tell it's very nicely constructed. I especially like that the strap has painted edges. That's a great touch.
Wow, you should start a strap consulting business. You're so smart. Also, that is a GORGEOUS 1967 Seiko 4420-9000. That's the venerable 44GS, the original Taro Tanaka designed watch that was the first to use the principles of the Grammar of Design, which Grand Seiko still uses as their design language today. Man, I wish I was you. You're so cool.

Waltesefalcon · Jun 8, 2023

I think gray in either alligator or crocodile is the new black.

Now for something more controversial. I feel that blue is a very tasteful color when paired with the right watch, and so allow me to present my Longines Flagship, ref. 102 on a blue croc band.

noelekal · Jun 8, 2023

But ... but ... but I like brown and black together!

bradurani · Jun 8, 2023

Waltesefalcon
I think gray in either alligator or crocodile is the new black.

Now for something more controversial. I feel that blue is a very tasteful color when paired with the right watch, and so allow me to present my Longines Flagship, ref. 102 on a blue croc band.

Steel watches with white or silver dials are typically a good place for blue straps. However your Longines, unlike my Grand Seiko, IS a proper manual wind dress watch. It doesn't look bad, but I would have gone with brown for that proper dress watch look and to compliment the aging on the dial.
Grade: C

bradurani · Jun 8, 2023

noelekal
But ... but ... but I like brown and black together!

Grade: F
I've said it before, Speedmaster Professionals go on BLACK. Also, straps with stitches across the top are always wrong. They distract from the watch and break the visual flow of the strap. Also, I don't like completely smooth leather or horween. It looks too plain. It needs texture.

queriver · Jun 9, 2023

bradurani
Grade: F
I've said it before, Speedmaster Professionals go on BLACK. Also, straps with stitches across the top are always wrong. They distract from the watch and break the visual flow of the strap. Also, I don't like completely smooth leather or horween. It looks too plain. It needs texture.

What, not even a pass for @noelekal for careful matching of watch and shoes ??? 😀

noelekal · Jun 9, 2023

Well, we're plain, but we're proud.

What isn't apparent in the photo is that the black leather jacket has brown panels on either side of the zipper as well as the inner collar and a black and brown belt completes the look.

When we coordinate with brown-strapped Speedmasters, we coordinate full out and fashion be hanged!

We got style!

Rodentman · Jun 9, 2023

There are no rules.

bradurani · Jun 9, 2023

noelekal
Well, we're plain, but we're proud.

What isn't apparent in the photo is that the black leather jacket has brown panels on either side of the zipper as well as the inner collar and a black and brown belt completes the look.

When we coordinate with brown-strapped Speedmasters, we coordinate full out and fashion be hanged!

We got style!

Hmmm.... I rarely do this, but I'm willing to make a revision. While I can nitpick the details, I do appreciate the dedication required to match your outfit to your watch to the degree that you have.
Do you change the strap when you wear it with a different outfit?
If so, grade: B+
If not, still grade: F

bradurani · Jun 9, 2023

Rodentman
There are no rules.

Maybe in your world, but not in mine!

Grade: B+
Good color choice, but that alligator grain is a bit too irregular. It can upstage the watch. Next time get one cut from the flank of the animal, where the grain is more even.

140dave · Jun 9, 2023

bradurani
Maybe in your world, but not in mine!

Grade: B+
Good color choice, but that alligator grain is a bit too irregular. It can upstage the watch. Next time get one cut from the flank of the animal, where the grain is more even.

Willing to bet that’s ostrich leg

bradurani · Jun 9, 2023

140dave
Willing to bet that’s ostrich leg

That sounds absolutely delicious. Mmmmmm.... ostrich leg. But it's no good for straps.

noelekal · Jun 9, 2023

bradurani
Hmmm.... I rarely do this, but I'm willing to make a revision. While I can nitpick the details, I do appreciate the dedication required to match your outfit to your watch to the degree that you have.
Do you change the strap when you wear it with a different outfit?
If so, grade: B+
If not, still grade: F

I swap the leather out for the original bracelet on occasion.

Dsloan · Jun 9, 2023

How about this?

I'll be waiting patiently for you to congratulate me on my impeccable taste.

Waltesefalcon · Jun 9, 2023

Dsloan
How about this?

I'll be waiting patiently for you to congratulate me on my impeccable taste.

It makes sense that your background is a playground.

bradurani · Jun 9, 2023

Dsloan
How about this?

I'll be waiting patiently for you to congratulate me on my impeccable taste.

Your kid has one hairy wrist

Waltesefalcon · Jun 13, 2023

How about this one Brad? My 1968 KonTiki 20 on a vintage sterling bracelet with turquoise, coral, and bear claw embellishments.

Pastorbottle · Jun 13, 2023

Wot no kitchen sink on that bracelet?
It would seem to be encrusted with everything else

Aroxx · Jun 13, 2023

Love the 3861 bracelet but I got the urge to put a strap on the Speedy. One of my new ones. Comfy single pass with summer vibes. What say ye oh pretentious strap master?

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

bradurani

bradurani

Waltesefalcon

noelekal

bradurani

bradurani

queriver

noelekal

Rodentman

bradurani

bradurani

140dave

bradurani

noelekal

Dsloan

Waltesefalcon

bradurani

Waltesefalcon

Pastorbottle

Aroxx

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