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Authentic strap for my L6298

D
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I picked up a L6298 a couple of months ago. It has a replacement cheap strap.

The lugs measure around 17mm.

I want an authentic leather strap. It doesn’t need to be the exact strap, but i would like it to be authentic and near the correct period.

What would you suggest and where to find it?
 
Dan S
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I'm not sure what watch you are referring to, a photo or two would be helpful. I'm guessing this refers to a US-cased reference?

In general, one approach is to Google Omega advertising from the era of the watch to see what type of strap was used.
 
SOG53
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This is probably a dress watch likely GF case for US market.
Lug width likely 18 mm not 17 mm you should measure w calipers
It would have been sold on a simple leather strap either brown or black. There is no “correct” exact strap to hunt. Most feel that the cost of an Omega strap is not worth it but you can decide.
Regarding styles there are many opinions but most likely it would be a non padded calfskin or possibly lizard for a dress watch. Not a 2- stitch.
This thread is educational and also very entertaining there is a lot more on straps here use search function

https://omegaforums.net/threads/a-pretentious-snobby-old-fashioned-guide-to-choosing-a-strap.154166/ bradurani
Thread 'A pretentious, snobby, old fashioned guide to choosing a strap' ·
Dear Esteemed Forum Peoples,

Your new fangled, "creative", strap pairings are worse than fake butter on popcorn. Enough of this tomfoolery! Allow me to set you straight.

Dress Watches

The...
bradurani ·
 
D
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@Dan S

Mine is identical to this one. ref L6298 on this site

I love the "google it" reply. I did google it with a million results mostly cheap fakes.

@SOG53

I used calipers. The lug gap measure 17.5-17.7mm. The strap measuse about the same. Thanks for the link.
 
Mark020
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What do you mean by authentic? A period correct Omega strap?
 
SOG53
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If you follow @Dan S excellent suggestion to google Omega Advertisements from 1960s you would find a number of illustrations of Omega watches on leather straps as they were sold. Here are 2 of many examples. This is best way to educate yourself about period straps.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/vintage-omega-adverts-with-your-morning-coffee.121067/ Cover Image
Thread 'Vintage Omega adverts with your morning coffee' ·
Back in the beginning of quarantine I amused myself by trawling the archives of Esquire magazine for watch ads. (The internet archive hosts a complete searchable run from 1934-2015)...
joeshoup ·

http://www.chronomaddox.com/omega/a_d_s/watchdog_advirt_db.html
 
Dan S
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D dbharness
@Dan S

Mine is identical to this one. ref L6298 on this site

I love the "google it" reply. I did google it with a million results mostly cheap fakes.

@SOG53

I used calipers. The lug gap measure 17.5-17.7mm. The strap measuse about the same. Thanks for the link.
As I noted, this is a US-cased (by Jonell) Omega, as L6298 is not an Omega reference number. As you probably know, 11/16" watch straps were somewhat common at that time in the US, but not as easy to find these days. You can try to squeeze in an 18mm strap if it is soft enough leather.

I'm sorry that you were not able to find period Omega advertising using google, although I'm not sure what you mean by cheap fakes. I did not suggest trying to find actual vintage Omega straps, 60 year-old straps are generally in poor condition.

I realize that not everyone knows how to structure good search prompts, so let me try to help. I suggest something like this, using google images. You can just scroll down and easily see some ads showing watches with leather straps. That will give you a sense of the style. As you will see, they are generally unpadded or very lightly padded calfskin or pigskin, sometimes croc or lizard. Often they are double stitched or box-stitched, although the stitching at that time was usually a bit farther from the edges than one finds on contemporary straps. Of course, a picture is worth 1000 words, which is why I suggested searching.

Screenshot 2025-12-29 at 7.08.24 AM.webp
 
gatorcpa
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D dbharness
I used calipers. The lug gap measure 17.5-17.7mm. The strap measuse about the same. Thanks for the link.
Probably had an 11/16” band originally. Modern replacement would be 17mm, even though it would leave about a 0.25mm gap on each side.
gatorcpa
 
D
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Thanks Dan S for the thaughtful reply.

Those are great examples of 1960's watch advertising. The ads are cool, but dont get me any closer to a vendor.

I am really not trying to be a smart aXX and i am greatful for the info. But... i dont want to be a strap expert or advertising expert. I was hoping someone on this site refer a reputiple vendor. Ebay and Etsy, it is impossible to filter through all the scammers.

I will move on.
 
Dan S
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There are hundreds of places to buy straps, ranging from mass-produced to custom, $20–$200. I don't really know what you are looking for. You mentioned authentic, but again, I'm not sure what you mean by that. Can you please clarify? I don't recommend a 1960s vintage leather strap for daily wear. They are hard to find, and the leather is usually in poor condition. Omega does sell leather straps, but not in a vintage style, and they are terribly overpriced for what they are.

Here is a great thread on the topic with many first-hand suggestions:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/watch-strap-ressource-where-to-buy-good-quality-leather-watch-straps.82232/ Jonatan
Thread '«Watch strap ressource» Where to buy good quality leather watch straps' ·
I would like some information on where most of you get your watch straps? Most watch pictures I see on here are amazing and I can't seem to find similar items in Switzerland. Hirsh seems to have...
Jonatan ·

Here are a couple of sources that are often mentioned
https://www.instagram.com/torrestraps_official/?hl=en
https://accurate-form.jp/
 
Porteroso
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I do not know of any strap maker that is overly concerned with making straps as Omega or any other Swiss brand was making them back in the day. You could buy a new Omega leather strap, or something that just looks similar. As close to authentic as I think you can get.
 
Mark020
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Mark020 Mark020
What do you mean by authentic? A period correct Omega strap?
Perhaps start by answering this question...
 
gatorcpa
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Porteroso Porteroso
I do not know of any strap maker that is overly concerned with making straps as Omega or any other Swiss brand was making them back in the day.
Because back then no one knew who made them. None of the watch companies made their own straps then. They still don’t today. They hire contractors. Watch companies design watches. Some don’t even make their own movements, they buy them from someone else.

That’s the way it is works for many complicated manufactured goods.

The value of 70 year old branded watch bands is minimal unless they are in pristine condition, in which case, they are non-functional museum pieces.

FWIW, I’ve had good luck with Vietnam made alligator watchbands from this manufacturer:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Vinac..._=cm_sw_r_apin_ast_store_CP1YB2SBT4ZYCVN4F0G9

gatorcpa
 
Davidt
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@dbharness it would be an idea to share what country you’re in. It’s no good people recommending places in the UK if you’re in Aus.
 
D
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Mark020 Mark020
Perhaps start by answering this question...
Do i really need to define authentic and period correct? Nah, i'm good. I believe those terms are obvious and well defined.
 
D
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Davidt Davidt
@dbharness it would be an idea to share what country you’re in. It’s no good people recommending places in the UK if you’re in Aus.
Good point. I'm in the US.
 
D
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Dan S Dan S
I'm not sure what watch you are referring to, a photo or two would be helpful. I'm guessing this refers to a US-cased reference?

In general, one approach is to Google Omega advertising from the era of the watch to see what type of strap was used.
The ref number is LL6298 per Omega. link.
 
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