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Blue Alligator band faded

502 to right
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Evitzee Evitzee
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.

Agreed. All bets are off when dealing with dyed animal hides 5 years after manufacture.
 
502 to right
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This is on Omega's website right now. What they call dark blue. Even under studio lights it's very close to black.

Screenshot 2025-03-18 at 14-21-32 Watch Straps Dark blue alligator leather strap with pin buc...webp
 
ErichPryde
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M'Bob M'Bob
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.

Probably the important thing we need is the kind of plastic that things are being stored in and under what conditions. Without that, it's really hard to make a judgment as to just how bad storage in plastic is.

I think at least partly, I was responding with a bit of blunt.... not irony- but look, OP left a leather strap in a plastic bag for 5 years, forgot about it, and is now mad that it (maybe) discolored and wants Omega to take responsibility for that.

Really seems like one of those situations where um, TANSTAAFL.

(I personally still want pictures of the back of the strap.)
Edited:
 
Tekashi_145.022
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When I worked at a large gray dealer, I saw this happen to a number of blue leather bands, including JLC. They usually had a lot of wear on them, but many had faded from blue to black over the course of many years. No idea how common it is overall, but it definitely happens.

I’m sad for OP, what a bummer. I wonder how Omega keeps their blue leather bands in good shape when they are on the shelf for years? (Presumably they’re kept in the same plastic bag OP’s was in?)
 
YY77
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Here are my black and blue alligator Tagheuer straps, 2 worn and 1 unworn (black matte) left in same plastic for 4 years.

Blue hasn't faded and the matte one looks new;

PXL_20250320_084754228.webp
 
ErichPryde
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502 to right 502 to right
I know only because you said so. They all look black to me.
I could only tell because of how the cracks looked. It's a very dark blue.
 
CalgaryJim
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It's been an interesting discussion already, everyday bring something new to learn in this hobby.
 
texasmade
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502 to right 502 to right
I know only because you said so. They all look black to me.
They all look black but the middle one is slightly different.
 
YY77
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texasmade texasmade
They all look black but the middle one is slightly different.
Additional pic with professional lighting of how it looked like new on the watch in my avatar:

Screenshot_20250320-184625.webp
 
hen
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ErichPryde ErichPryde
I could only tell because of how the cracks looked. It's a very dark blue.
And I could tell just because of the stiching.

It must be confusing to be able to see and process all those colours. As a somewhat colour blind person I relate to the innermost circle of Geothes weel of colours. In a strech I also recognice the colours of the rainbow and black and white of course. To me that strap is black.

Remember colours are just a hoax from Big Pigment!
 
Annapolis
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hen hen
Remember colours are just a hoax from Big Pigment!
Exactly. “Navy Blue”; “black”—it’s all just a deep slate conspiracy.
 
CalgaryJim
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Dan S Dan S
This dial is blue.

IMG_7110.webp


Easier to see in different lighting.

IMG_7109.webp
I like the black one better Dan, how much to you want for it 😉
 
Dan S
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CalgaryJim CalgaryJim
I like the black one better Dan, how much to you want for it 😉
Sadly, that one is gone. 🙁
 
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