Community Stories

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

Dsloan
Posts
3,247
Likes
21,421
Syrte Syrte
Agree that certain sellers like B & R bands in the US are increasing their prices, but I think there’s still plenty of good value sellers out there. I wonder if the price increases are due to general increases in costs, or if it’s just some sellers with a reputation deciding to take advantage of it.

Yes, B&R bands and Two Stitch Straps are a couple specific shops I was thinking of. Maybe they are trying to move up market, but also maybe it's also just inevitable inflation on leather and labor.

I just tend to be a messy, sweaty person unfortunately. Paying $100 for a strap that I know I'm going to ruin in a year bothers me irrationally.
 
Syrte
Posts
7,611
Likes
21,830
Dsloan Dsloan
Paying $100 for a strap that I know I'm going to ruin in a year bothers me irrationally.
I don’t think it’s irrational at all, this is a lot of money for most normal people.
However there are many great sellers on Ebay.
 
tmw57
Posts
1,449
Likes
5,569
Syrte Syrte
One important thing to consider is the thickness of the leather.
Your keepers on the pictures look like they are not lined, and quite thick at around 2mm.
By contrast, more refined straps have two thin layers, with a lining underneath the strap and finished edges.
Also @YYTIN’s’pigskin strap is super thin, only 1.6mm including the lining, as I understand from @torrestraps’ Instagram page.
Btw, I’m just another happy customer, and remember the time he was a watch enthusiast trying his hand at strap making.

OK got it. Makes sense.

The keepers on my 20mm strap are 1.3mm and the strap is 1.8mm. But one piece and unlined..
 
tmw57
Posts
1,449
Likes
5,569
Just took a look at Torrestraps on instagram...
wow...
 
Mkewatch
Posts
22
Likes
148
D4B67D4A-7FED-4FB3-9790-AA00113DBA47.jpeg
Hi, I got this watvh recently and the bracelets is to heavy.

Can you provide an advice what type of strap do you recommend for this watch?

I have read your advice in this thread and really like your suggestions.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Jorge
D4B67D4A-7FED-4FB3-9790-AA00113DBA47.jpeg
 
ErichPryde
Posts
2,738
Likes
5,144
Mkewatch Mkewatch
D4B67D4A-7FED-4FB3-9790-AA00113DBA47.jpeg
Hi, I got this watvh recently and the bracelets is to heavy.

Can you provide an advice what type of strap do you recommend for this watch?

I have read your advice in this thread and really like your suggestions.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Jorge
D4B67D4A-7FED-4FB3-9790-AA00113DBA47.jpeg


This is one of those watches that begs for an exception to the rules, it would look absolutely fantastic on italian Napanova calf. And let's be real, divers with gmt complications are really dress watches with a tool-vibe reference.

Also, congratulations it's totally gorgeous.
 
Mkewatch
Posts
22
Likes
148
ErichPryde ErichPryde
This is one of those watches that begs for an exception to the rules, it would look absolutely fantastic on italian Napanova calf. And let's be real, divers with gmt complications are really dress watches with a tool-vibe reference.

Also, congratulations it's totally gorgeous.
Thank you, in what color?
 
ErichPryde
Posts
2,738
Likes
5,144
Mkewatch Mkewatch
Thank you, in what color?
Novanappa in a caramel or honey brown, something warm and light.

Keep in mind I'm not the OP and may not have the same rigorously curated style rules
 
1000010103.jpg
tmw57
Posts
1,449
Likes
5,569
tmw57 tmw57
Just took a look at Torrestraps on instagram...
wow...

Still looking for the right material and color. Will get the shape and details sorted after..

This distressed green leather surprised me. It's too thick, stitches too large and crude, no taper at the lugs, etc. So not a good strap for the style.
But I kind of dig the color and texture..

IMG_4505 (1).jpg IMG_4503.jpg IMG_4501 (1)-taper.jpg
 
J!m
Posts
188
Likes
345
Mkewatch Mkewatch
D4B67D4A-7FED-4FB3-9790-AA00113DBA47.jpeg
Hi, I got this watvh recently and the bracelets is to heavy.

Can you provide an advice what type of strap do you recommend for this watch?

I have read your advice in this thread and really like your suggestions.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Jorge
D4B67D4A-7FED-4FB3-9790-AA00113DBA47.jpeg

I had this same watch for several years until I sold it to finance my planet ocean.

I ran mine on the Omega deployment rubber strap. I may have been the only one as I never saw another that way.
 
Waltesefalcon
Posts
3,463
Likes
9,391
Green on gold looks good. For awhile I wore my 18k Eterna on a truly outlandish green croc strap. I still think the color is lovely, but the strap itself is hideous.
20211026_182701.jpg
 
wagudc
Posts
4,622
Likes
11,689
Waltesefalcon Waltesefalcon
the strap itself is hideous.

It's klingon approved.

WorfTNG.jpg
 
wagudc
Posts
4,622
Likes
11,689
Mkewatch Mkewatch
D4B67D4A-7FED-4FB3-9790-AA00113DBA47.jpeg
Hi, I got this watvh recently and the bracelets is to heavy.

Can you provide an advice what type of strap do you recommend for this watch?

I have read your advice in this thread and really like your suggestions.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Jorge
D4B67D4A-7FED-4FB3-9790-AA00113DBA47.jpeg

I would look for a sailcloth strap or rubber. Leather on a dive watch is a no-no in my book (and many others). Here are a few ideas, some bolder than others. Taken from: https://www.watchgecko.com/collections/premium-rubber-watch-straps

watch-straps-zuludiver-mayday-sailcloth-padded-divers-watch-strap-black-white-37596418932899_3000x.jpg
watch-straps-zuludiver-endurance-extreme-rubber-watch-strap-discovery-36531289424035_3000x.jpg
watch-straps-watchgecko-rolex-submariner-style-grey-rubber-watch-strap-brushed-buckle-37385539649699_1200x.jpg
 
wagudc
Posts
4,622
Likes
11,689
Syrte Syrte
I don’t think it’s irrational at all, this is a lot of money for most normal people.
However there are many great sellers on Ebay.

I'm not sure if this was your point, but I feel good when I buy from an artisan in a developing country. Your purchase will help support them and their family.
 
wagudc
Posts
4,622
Likes
11,689
I'm happy with the turn this thread has taken. The OP was quite good at playing the act and it was quite humorous, but the joke was only funny for so long.
 
Dsloan
Posts
3,247
Likes
21,421
Mkewatch Mkewatch
D4B67D4A-7FED-4FB3-9790-AA00113DBA47.jpeg
Hi, I got this watvh recently and the bracelets is to heavy.

Can you provide an advice what type of strap do you recommend for this watch?

I have read your advice in this thread and really like your suggestions.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Jorge
D4B67D4A-7FED-4FB3-9790-AA00113DBA47.jpeg

FWIW, I put an Omega nato on mine and love it.

Screenshot 2024-02-18 at 10.47.25 PM.png


And Zealande has rubber straps that fit it. I have one of theirs and it's been a great value - fits like it's an OEM strap.

Screenshot 2024-02-18 at 10.48.44 PM.png
 
ErichPryde
Posts
2,738
Likes
5,144
wagudc wagudc
I would look for a sailcloth strap or rubber. Leather on a dive watch is a no-no in my book (and many others). Here are a few ideas, some bolder than others.

Sure; except if the whole point is that it isn't ever going to go in water, and most dive watches aren't. Additionally, a brown strap says "I know this is a dive watch so I put it on a brown leather strap that can go with anything because I'm not going in the water anyway" whereas blue, black, color 8, dark green, &c &c &c says "I know this is a dive watch but I'd like to think it's a dress watch."

And then you've got vintage pieces like CK2913s, and the 166 refs and family- which are vintage enough that they are "de facto" dress watches now and someone wouldn't wear them in the water even if they could. And the vintage-inspired pieces like the modern Seamaster Heritage and Trilogy, which aren't really trying to be divers so much as "vintage dress divers." And don't forget the ref 145s (.xxx), that are all chronograph ...seamasters. All of these watches look great on leather (especially brown). Maybe, even MAYBE some of these could break the "brown leather on a diver only" rule and work on black. a CK2913 can sure do that, and if so, it opens the door for exception city.

Can't say I feel the same way about a modern Seamaster Professional though- that should be on the bracelet or rubber pretty much only, even if it is never going to go into water.

Gotta draw a line somewhere, I guess
 
Syrte
Posts
7,611
Likes
21,830
Lots of interesting seamless strap options at GLC Strap, Italian craftsman who used to sell on Chronocentric forever - nice straps IMO even though I never bought from him I was often tempted.

I like the saffiano leather, and the burgundy colored strap. Shows that many textures look sophisticated on a seamless strap. unfortunately all of his cordovan options are sold out but it’s a good example of nicely finished cordovan straps.
https://www.glcstraps.it/en/straps/materials/leather-parigi/paris-bordeaux-leather-seamless-strap/
 
IMG_2835.png IMG_2837.png IMG_2834.png IMG_2836.png IMG_2838.png IMG_2839.png IMG_2840.png
DrmexicoII
Posts
607
Likes
911
wagudc wagudc
I'm happy with the turn this thread has taken. The OP was quite good at playing the act and it was quite humorous, but the joke was only funny for so long.

I disagree. The "turn" should be a separate thread. I miss @bradurani's eviscerating strap judgements. The very few times someone got it "right" felt well earned. Those lucky few must've felt 10 feet tall for months! 😀
 
22 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

M'Bob

Any creative suggestions on how to “mock up” a strap?

M'Bob Open Discussion
CalgaryJim
CalgaryJim
Posts
3
Views
2K
tyrantlizardrex

A simple guide to buying a watch on this forum

tyrantlizardrex Open Discussion
Davidt
Davidt
Posts
77
Views
10K
Unknown Watchmaker

A Watchmaker Photo Guide to Omega Seamaster Cal 1020 Repair

Unknown Watchmaker Watchmaking
Unknown Watchmaker
Unknown Watchmaker
Posts
17
Views
7K
Asturianucu

Christmas self-gift: Rescuing a 1956 Seamaster

Asturianucu Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Asturianucu
Asturianucu
Posts
41
Views
7K
PlainVanilla

Omega Seamaster - A guide to special dials

PlainVanilla Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Vanallard
Vanallard
Posts
297
Views
73K
Mr.Bliss

Choosing a strap

Mr.Bliss Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Mr.Bliss
Mr.Bliss
Posts
5
Views
1K