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Blue Alligator band faded

Vagante
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So I bought a new Apollo 17 special edition speedy probably five years ago from the Omega boutique in Jacksonville. Included in the sale was a blue alligator strap priced at $400. As I remember, I had a choice of several gifts and I chose that one. I never used it And kept it in the original packaging. I pulled it out today thinking I might like to use it. When I pulled it out, I was shocked as it had turned charcoal black. The blue was completely gone. It never sat in the sunlight. In fact it never saw sunlight. What happened? I called customer service today at Omega but it was a swatch Answer all calls center. I ran out of time and could not talk to the guy, but he did not sound encouraging in the short conversation that we had.. I might call another boutique as they wanted in Jacksonville closed.. Very disappointing.

IMG_9673.webp IMG_9672.webp
 
ErichPryde
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Well, storing a strap in a plastic bag for five years may be very much less than an ideal environment.
 
prokudin
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Are you 100% sure the strap was blue five years ago? It is quite strange it changed color so homogeneously and no reminder of the original hue is seen. Maybe the boutique mixed up straps?
 
ErichPryde
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prokudin prokudin
Are you 100% sure the strap was blue five years ago? It is quite strange it changed color so homogeneously and no reminder of the original hue is seen. Maybe the boutique mixed up straps?

Solid point.

OP, I'd like some more pictures. got some of the undersides?
 
drpaul
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I am almost 100% sure this was not blue to start with. Even the punched out portion is homogenously black. A switch has happened in the boutique or later. It’s amazing what we can forget in 5 years.
 
hen
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It says "blue" on the bag and its still a fine strap.
 
Donn Chambers
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Place it next to something you know is black. If it is a dark midnight blue, it will be more obvious it is not black.
 
M'Bob
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ErichPryde ErichPryde
Well, storing a strap in a plastic bag for five years may be very much less than an ideal environment.
Well, that raises an interesting question. Because the company stores these straps in their plastic bags, but they usually have a hole punched in them to allow at least some air exchange.

Everything that I’ve read about leather says not to store it in plastic. But, I live where there’s extreme temperature and humidity changes. I’ve had two identical straps from Omega, one stored in plastic, the other in an open cloth. The one in plastic looks much better at this juncture.
 
Aurelius
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This is really odd. I'd check to see if they can send you a reference of a current one if they have it. Or maybe ask if they'd consider letting you trade it in since it's unworn.
 
Vagante
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prokudin prokudin
Are you 100% sure the strap was blue five years ago? It is quite strange it changed color so homogeneously and no reminder of the original hue is seen. Maybe the boutique mixed up straps?
No, it was blue. I think I know my watches and my accessories.
 
Vagante
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Talked with boutique and they will not even contact Omega. Out of luck.
 
Meme-Dweller
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I'm looking at other photos of the CUZ002434 and that color looks to be correct--- a very dark blue to the point of almost being black.

When dark leather dyes age, they tend to fade as opposed to turning darker.

m19872046583_2.webp 03597820-2475-4e5d-9de1-fccbf1b4cdbb.webp
 
Annapolis
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There are various reasons why dyed leather would change color, but they don’t apply to your situation, and most would result in lightening, not darkening, anyway. (Thinking here about exposure to light, skin oils/Ph, etc.)

I’ll admit I’m skeptical that it’s changed, but I also have no reason to distrust or doubt you. Assuming you’re correct, the only thing I can think of is mold: I know the strap was tightly wrapped in plastic (maybe even sealed) but was it stored in a damp place?

To be clear, I hate this theory: I don’t think it’s likely that moisture got into that bag, and I don’t think the strap would darken so evenly if it had. But I’m at a loss otherwise.
 
CalgaryJim
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Vagante Vagante
No, it was blue. I think I know my watches and my accessories.
Memories are tricky, I've read a fair fit about the human brain and how memory works, because mine is less than ideal I have a vested interest in the subject. We don't have anything like a static image recall, memories are re-created, different aspects such as colour are re-accessed in a different part of the brain than say smell, etc. Change the setting too, and the memory can change. It's why witnesses to the same event can easily have a different recall that others, even a different recall by the same person at a different time. Colour perception is of course especially sensitive to surrounding colours. You did say in your OP "As I recall", noting that your recall may not be accurate.

Anyways, long, hopefully not too pendantic of my thoughts, take it for what it's worth to you.
 
Vagante
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Annapolis Annapolis
There are various reasons why dyed leather would change color, but they don’t apply to your situation, and most would result in lightening, not darkening, anyway. (Thinking here about exposure to light, skin oils/Ph, etc.)

I’ll admit I’m skeptical that it’s changed, but I also have no reason to distrust or doubt you. Assuming you’re correct, the only thing I can think of is mold: I know the strap was tightly wrapped in plastic (maybe even sealed) but was it stored in a damp place?

To be clear, I hate this theory: I don’t think it’s likely that moisture got into that bag, and I don’t think the strap would darken so evenly if it had. But I’m at a loss otherwise.
CalgaryJim CalgaryJim
Memories are tricky, I've read a fair fit about the human brain and how memory works, because mine is less than ideal I have a vested interest in the subject. We don't have anything like a static image recall, memories are re-created, different aspects such as colour are re-accessed in a different part of the brain than say smell, etc. Change the setting too, and the memory can change. It's why witnesses to the same event can easily have a different recall that others, even a different recall by the same person at a different time. Colour perception is of course especially sensitive to surrounding colours. You did say in your OP "As I recall", noting that your recall may not be accurate.

Anyways, long, hopefully not too pendantic of my thoughts, take it for what it's worth to you.
 
Vagante
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One last follow up here. I sent pictures and the reference numbers of the watch and the strap to Omega. They promptly responded and said yes it has faded, but they don’t warranty the straps and they only suggested that I purchase a new one so I could have a bright blue strap once again…… I responded that I would probably not buy one since if this one faded certainly a new one would as well. So that’s the end of the story. It was blue. It’s now black and I’ll probably use it on another watch.
 
padders
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Have you checked the serial number on the inner side of the strap? That will tell you what colour it is supposed to be.
 
Evitzee
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It's a five year old strap (at least) that has faded from navy blue to almost black. Expecting Omega to do something about an old strap, which they don't warranty anyway, because it has changed color is far fetched, imo. Use it on another watch and just move on. You can get a nice custom made padded strap for less than $200, maybe not in alligator, but there are some great makers out there that will produce what you want for less money than an Omega branded strap.
 
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