Croton Chronomaster strap recommandation

[ephemeral]

Hey there,

I recently treated myself with my first chronograph: a vintage Croton Chronomaster.

Currently getting serviced (mouvement + plexy polish), I wanted to open my mind about considering something else than a Phoenix NATO in grey or CWC in tan/desert color.

What do you guys think if you have this watch and had to replace the strap (that would not be a nato) ?


For bits of info about this watch, is it equipped with Valjoux 23 but despite what can be found on some other forums, I highly doubt it is the variant they released.
I find the hour/minute hands combined with the stepped subdials adding a lot of charm to this watch.
It was designed to be a do it all tool watch thus 'Chronomaster Aviator Sea diver' but still has IMO, a not too busy dial.
From my readings, Croton is said to be the US distributor of Nivada, a brand that still exists nowdays but isn't even worth googleing.

Many variants exists with movements,hour/minute hands and dials. You can even find reissued modern models from Nivada which are pretty much 1:1 of their vintage elders except with different mouvements and craftmanship.

In addititon, here is a link of the mouvement running (only available for 2 days...): https://streamable.com/j3b260

Cheers,

 

[river rat]

Easy get a vintage tropic strap for it. Search eBay for one .

 

[ephemeral]

river rat

Easy get a vintage tropic strap for it. Search eBay for one .

Would the rubber not be dried up after many years ?

Should I go vintage on those ?

Thanks for the recommendation, definitely would fit that watch well!

 

[TexOmega]

I’ve many vintage Tropic that are still supple but some are crystallized, so just ask the seller.

I’ve the newer Tropic reissue knockoffs too, and they fine and much cheaper in cost.

Also try a black stingray with a white pearl.

I finally settled on SS

1st gen( beveled edges of subdials and mirror black in color and Val23)

only 1st generation had these two features

Edited: Jun 7, 2024

 

[ephemeral]

TexOmega

I’ve many vintage Tropic that are still supple but some are crystallized, so just ask the seller.

I’ve the newer Tropic reissue knockoffs too, and they fine and much cheaper in cost.

Also try a black stingray with a white pearl.

I finally settled on SS

1st gen( beveled edges of subdials and mirror black in color and Val23)

only 1st generation had these two features

What a beautiful watch you have there!😗 thks for sharing and letting me know I was wrong about the gen. Seems like we both have a 1st gen!

Are those generation information inside the Chronomaster only book ?

The price of vintage Tropic I've seen is not too bad tbh considering the value and affect I have for my Chronomaster.

I might just get both nato and rubber for the watch, even tho I am pretty sure mine would not resist to any water. I guess it's up to my watchmaker to have the final word on that statement 😟

My only issue with SS is often having a gap between the case and lugs, not having proper endlinks is a nono for me. With that said some Tropic strap actually come with extra rounded length to fit tight with the case, it definitely is growing on me as the minutes are passing

I will definitely ask the seller before making any stupid purchase 👍 Is there a way to restore the rubber? From my understanding Tropic strap are regular rubber, what would dipping it into gaz/petrol/oil do? Has anyone tried this experiment? Something like this :

Edited: Jun 7, 2024

 

[hejsam]

I vote for vintage tropic rubber looks great!


Also these Nivada bracelets fits very good

 

[ephemeral]

hejsam

I vote for vintage tropic rubber looks great!


Also these Nivada bracelets fits very good

I am sold with your first pic ! Couple cool shots on that product page as well https://www.josephbonnie.com/fr/produit/tropic-caoutchouc-noir/ (It just happen to be a store nearby).

It might be unoriginal but the choice is too obvious.

 

[Scarecrow Boat]

ephemeral

What do you guys think if you have this watch and had to replace the strap (that would not be a nato) ?

I wear my first gen CASD primarily on a Bulling & Sons Ripstop strap. Occasionally on one of their straps made of soft racing glove material.

 

[X350 XJR]

Variations on a theme...

 

[ephemeral]

Scarecrow Boat

I wear my first gen CASD primarily on a Bulling & Sons Ripstop strap. Occasionally on one of their straps made of soft racing glove material.

Adding Bulling & Sons to my list, Ripstop is killer looking and I am wondering how those suede strap could look on it...

X350 XJR

Variations on a theme...

I was about to rename the thread for 50 shades of Chronomaster

There is nothing like a good black leather strap, but since most watches I buy on auction comes on black strap, I might just try to go 'off limit' here to have more diversity in my collection.

Nice looking chrono with that lollipop sweep second. Paul Peugeot sounds very french to me if you ask

 

[river rat]

ephemeral

Would the rubber not be dried up after many years ?

Should I go vintage on those ?

Thanks for the recommendation, definitely would fit that watch well!

If the seller says there still pliable, I have a few that I use with no worry better than the remakes that are uncomfortable due to being not soft and hard.

 

[Scarecrow Boat]

ephemeral

Adding Bulling & Sons to my list, Ripstop is killer looking and I am wondering how those suede strap could look on it...

The B&S strap is incredibly comfortable and ages well. The pic above shows the strap after 4 years of wear. I might have a brown suede B&S strap, but I will check a little later.

 

[ephemeral]

Scarecrow Boat

The B&S strap is incredibly comfortable and ages well. The pic above shows the strap after 4 years of wear. I might have a brown suede B&S strap, but I will check a little later.

The bracelet 'patina' fits the condition of the watch p amazingly. Definitely something I am considering.

 

[ephemeral]

Going little off-topic here, but I just do not think it's worth another thread and it put such a big smile on my face.

Just heard back from a friend's uncle watchmaker that happens to be servicing the Croton. Here are a couple pics for the eyes.

All the small issues I had with the chrono are now fixed (Chrono stopping then after some abuse not resetting to 0). No broken parts nothing, was only due for a proper service.
Touching wood for my future purchases in JP.

EDIT: I also did a photoshoot before landing the watch. Some very nice take on watch photographs are coming ! It will be in the dedicated section 😉

Cheers,

 

[ephemeral]

TexOmega

I’ve many vintage Tropic that are still supple but some are crystallized, so just ask the seller.

I’ve the newer Tropic reissue knockoffs too, and they fine and much cheaper in cost.

Also try a black stingray with a white pearl.

I finally settled on SS

1st gen( beveled edges of subdials and mirror black in color and Val23)

only 1st generation had these two features

I just did put things together.

You are 100% right 1st gen Chronomaster. The detail I forgot was the Chronograph which are pre-Chronomaster.

 

[TexOmega]

ephemeral

I just did put things together.

You are 100% right 1st gen Chronomaster. The detail I forgot was the Chronograph which are pre-Chronomaster.

I have the crossed eyes and hunched shoulders digging a morsel here and there out of a jillion posts and comments long before there was a book written.

 

[river rat]

Here are two of my dive watches on vintage Tropic straps there still flexible and soft compared to some real stiff modern remakes.

 

[ephemeral]

river rat

Here are two of my dive watches on vintage Tropic straps there still flexible and soft compared to some real stiff modern remakes.

Definitely not getting a re-issued Tropic strap after all those feedbacks ! Beautiful watches thanks for sharing😉

 

[ephemeral]

I just got my watch back from service, it is still waiting for a strap.

My calipers are acting a bit, it's telling me 19,5mm. Do we agree that lug width is supposed to be 20mm?

Thanks for the help !

 

[theboytaylor76]

ephemeral

I just got my watch back from service, it is still waiting for a strap.

My calipers are acting a bit, it's telling me 19,5mm. Do we agree that lug width is supposed to be 20mm?

Thanks for the help !

Hi, I have a Croton CASD ("Swiss High T" in the Chronomaster Only book iirc) and noticed the same thing, lugs not quite a full 20mm. A standard 20mm steel bracelet or something with a QR spring bar just won't fit

I'm in the UK and I've gone with a 20mm rubber strap from straptailor.com (although it's not currently on his site) as it's pliable enough to squeeze between the lugs.

Edited: Sep 9, 2024