Well I can't think of a better place or better people to give an honest opinion.

This time next week I'll be in sunny Spain for a much needed break with the wife and kids. Some years ago I had a bad (drunken) experience on holiday and I lost a very nice watch. For this reason I'm leaving my better watches at home and I've been looking for a decent low priced beater which I can get wet and dirty on vacation and beyond.

Long story short, yesterday a Sumo came in the post. I like the watch but not I'm not sold on the bracelet.
I tried it with a NATO today....looks good but this thing is big and heavy and the thin fabric of the NATO doesn't do a good job of holding the watch firmly on the wrist. I've ordered a heavy duty Zulu which should come tomorrow so I'll see how that works.

Anyway, I found an old battered Panerai strap from years ago at the bottom of a box. The strap is really thick and 24mm at both ends. I've modified it so that the ends fit into the 20mm lug width of the Seiko.

I'm kind of torn whether I like the result or not. Honest opinions please...if it looks shit so be it.



Cheers,

Paul

 

I like it but I'm a serial strap modifier myself

 

I love the Sumo and would love one in blue but, a watch that size needs a bracelet bigger than 20mm.. That being said, the strap you chose works well.

 

Yeah i think your onto something using a wider strap and modding it. Looks nice and chunky good idea.

 

I was not expecting to to dig this, BUT.....I do!

 

Looks fine, however, don't know how it will react to getting wet. My advice would be to go NATO. Better to have a busted springbar than a lost watch

 

Looks good to me!

 

Lost it gambling? I feel we're missing out on a great story here

On topic: yes, it looks nice. Nothing wrong with a diver on leather (except, possibly, when you actually go diving). I've always felt that the sumo should have had 22 lug spacing. 24 is maybe a tad large, but it works. Have fun!

 

I think it looks really good. Maybe rub a little wax or oil into the cut edges though to match the rest of the leather.

 

How about a rubber Zulu/NATO from ZuluDiver?

 

I'm personally not a fan of leather straps on divers but this doesn't look terrible. I've always found that the thicker NATOs/Zulus work well with the heavier divers so you might be pleasantly surprised with the new Zulu.

 

Thanks for the mostly positive comments, they were better than expected. I appreciate them all.

@cicindela I admire your honesty.

 

you should try to do your own strap! No more issue after that!

... I will finish this one tomorrow

 

I wish you hadn't mentioned these. Didn't know they existed and now have the urge to get some.

Bad Lizard

 

It will keep the watch strapped to you wrist no worries about those flying on a plane as they will not notice the butchered leather. ask @Mad Dog

 

pretty leather; can you make it fit an Omega deployant 20/18? I'm not good with a knife...

 

I think it looks good . . . and that is a substantial buckle, which could be especially important if any aspects of the holiday become wild!

 

I started only 3 weeks ago so never tried to fit a deployant yet... But I will try later i guess as i don't own any deployant myself !