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Can you build a relationship with an AD via straps/accessories?

BlackTalon
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Relationship building ? Maybe a Marriage proposal would get you the needed Leather/ Parts easily? Strange times ...
Why the negativity? I have spent a couple decades building a relationship with my local Giant grocery store, and it's paid off in spades. When they know I will be shopping soon, the manager has the stockboys stash the freshest milk back behind the older cartons, just so no one will take them all before I can get there. Same with the eggs. And when the fresh shrimp is getting a little smelly, the person at the seafood counter will try and dig out the least smelly ones for me.

Building these types of relations is takes a lot of work, but really pays off.
 
Larry S
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BlackTalon BlackTalon
Why the negativity? I have spent a couple decades building a relationship with my local Giant grocery store, and it's paid off in spades. When they know I will be shopping soon, the manager has the stockboys stash the freshest milk back behind the older cartons, just so no one will take them all before I can get there. Same with the eggs. And when the fresh shrimp is getting a little smelly, the person at the seafood counter will try and dig out the least smelly ones for me.

Building these types of relations is takes a lot of work, but really pays off.
I have commercial relationships, we all do. If you don’t you are not maximizing value. I also was a procurement executive and that was my job. Thing is, the recent and sadly ongoing behavior of the watch industry in catering to flippers and influencers at the expense of everyone else is what is being picked at here.
 
BlackTalon
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I do have commercial relationships. But not ones where I have to buy a lot of stuff I don't really need just to get something I actually want. That's not maximizing value in my opinion.
 
Annapolis
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I assume the OP knows—but I’ll say it for civility’s sake—the mockery here is not directed at you. It’s directed at the absurdity of the watch industry (at least certain sectors and brands within it) that would lead someone to even contemplate this question.
 
Alex_TA
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Please don't be rolexman. Build relationship with your wife (or dog. or cat). Fortunately you don't need to crawl on you knees to get something from Omega.
 
Evitzee
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You can get higher quality custom made straps for less money than the relatively small selection of Omega branded straps which I think are overpriced.
 
Annapolis
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Evitzee Evitzee
You can get higher quality custom made straps for less money than the relatively small selection of Omega branded straps which I think are overpriced.

No question about it. It’s cool to have the Omega OEM strap and buckle, but you pay a premium for it that’s justified emotionally, not materially.
 
YY77
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You can get higher quality custom made straps for less money than the relatively small selection of Omega branded straps which I think are overpriced.
@Peach Gobbler here's a (perfect) example of a custom made strap imho which wouldn't have been possible on this watch via Omega:
 
IMG_20190914_140533.jpg
Alex_TA
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Evitzee Evitzee
You can get higher quality custom made straps for less money than the relatively small selection of Omega branded straps which I think are overpriced.
No you can't.
Custom strap of comparable quality from companies like ABP or Dangerous 9 will cost the same or more.
 
gbesq
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No you can't.
Custom strap of comparable quality from companies like ABP or Dangerous 9 will cost the same or more.
I have to respectfully disagree. I just looked on Omega‘s website and the OEM alligator strap with a pin buckle retails for between $390 and $410 USD. Compare that to this custom made alligator strap from Artisan which comes with a pin buckle and quick release spring bars for $193:
https://www.artisanstraps.com/products/croc-padded-leather-strap-in-black
I have several custom alligator straps from Artisan and they are all of better quality than the OEM alligator strap that came with my JLC Master Ultra Thin Moon - and that’s a $12,000 watch.
Edited:
 
pdxleaf
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Peach Gobbler Peach Gobbler
I am fortunate to have recently acquired my GADA/one and done, a Speedmaster Co-Axial Chronograph.

Photos, please!

Edit: I got this Omega bracelet new at a good discount off retail. Relationships matter, but it's not much of a relationship if it's the same thing anyone walking off the street can get.

To answer your question, the AD should be able to order a clasp etc for you, particularly if they have a watchmaker on staff with a parts account. Without a parts account, they may not have access to what you need. But ask them, and ask for a discount, as you never know.

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Edited:
 
pdxleaf
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YY77 YY77
@Peach Gobbler here's a (perfect) example of a custom made strap imho which wouldn't have been possible on this watch via Omega:

That's a beautiful match. Care to share the source?
 
Evitzee
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Alex_TA Alex_TA
No you can't.
Custom strap of comparable quality from companies like ABP or Dangerous 9 will cost the same or more.
www.genteel-handmade.com , along with Aaron Bespoke previously mentioned, and others will make a strap exactly to your specifications (size, material, padding, stitching color, lining color, etc) for less money than a box stock Omega strap. Equal or better quality, too.

The problem with Omega is they have very few options with just a few colors available (black, brown, grey and a few others). It's far more interesting to pick just the right material in the color you want for your watch, that really personalizes the watch.
Edited:
 
Peach Gobbler
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Thanks for all the great responses. Here is the watch in question, I love everything about it.

1804591-e43b4b5c4fda6312d0097d968a609e11.jpg

Yes, since I didn't purchase my watch new through an AD, I was concerned getting the clasp I want would require some special attention, and that buying a strap or two from them might earn that attention. Under that scenario, paying a little more for OEM would have just been part of the dance. I'm glad to hear that's not necessary. I was also considering buying the strap from a custom maker and then just sourcing the Omega clasp, definitely some amazing stuff out there, thanks for the recommendations!
 
Alex_TA
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gbesq gbesq
I have to respectfully disagree. I just looked on Omega‘s website and the OEM alligator strap with a pin buckle retails for between $390 and $410 USD. Compare that to this custom made alligator strap from Artisan which comes with a pin buckle and quick release spring bars for $193:
https://www.artisanstraps.com/products/croc-padded-leather-strap-in-black
I have several custom alligator straps from Artisan and they are all of better quality than the OEM alligator strap that came with my JLC Master Ultra Thin Moon - and that’s a $12,000 watch.
Well my experience is different and I have owned a few straps from Omega and custom straps, both alligator and leather.
For now my Speedy in on Omega Rally leather strap, the most comfortable one.
Additionally, if I spent 10K on a watch, can’t see a reason to save $200 once in 2 years 😉
Edited:
 
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Ron_W
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Alex_TA Alex_TA
Well my experience is different and I have owned a few straps from Omega and custom straps, both alligator and leather.
For now my Speedy in on Omega Rally leather strap, the most comfortable one.
Additionally, if I spent 10K on a watch, can’t see a reason to save $200 once in 2 years 😉

The Omega Rallye strap is very comfortable !
 
JwRosenthal
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All relationships are good, be it personal or professional. I have had several professional that have turned into personal. A close friend owns the hi-fi shop where I walked in 17 years ago to buy a turntable cartridge and we ended up talking for 2 hours. Within a year we were sharing holidays together. Relationships are based on mutual interests and respect. Regardless of personal or professional- if the interest is only going one way and there is a lack of mutual respect- then it’s not a relationship worth having.
 
Larry S
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BlackTalon BlackTalon
I do have commercial relationships. But not ones where I have to buy a lot of stuff I don't really need just to get something I actually want. That's not maximizing value in my opinion.
Exactly
 
Evitzee
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It's harder and harder to form relationships now, staffs come and go. My local Omega OB was closed in early January, finally reopened in May but new manager and worker bees. They don't know me and vice versa.

Many years ago I had a great relationship with a manager at Tourneau's in NYC, nice discounts and first call when new stuff came in. After a few years he left and landed at Vacheron Constantin, I never bought anything more from Tourneau. Modern business.
 
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