Some old friends received some new straps. Just arrived in the mail from Strapped for Time two Hadley-Roma straps for these bad boys... Ref. 168.005 Cal.561 with serial # from ~1963 on Hadley-Roma Genuine Crocodile (MS822 CHT 18R) And this Lemania 9337 Chronograph Cal. 1275 from ~1955 on Matte Crocodile (MS822 BRN 20R) Both strap are lined with very soft leather on the inside...a nice touch...for crock straps these were inexpensive and made in the good Ol' USA. Rather impressed with the quality of these straps...would certainly buy Hadley-Roma products again!
Dennis, you mentioned these a while ago (about being made in Florida I think) and they certainly don't disappoint! What a value they are.
It's not a surprise that Hadley Roma watchbands look good on vintage Omegas. The US importer, Norman Morris, Inc. owned the Roma side of the business in the 1960's. http://omegaforums.net/threads/straps.725/#post-7375 gatorcpa
I think you'd be surprised which brands stamp their name on H-R straps and resell them for double the price. Had a custom H-R strap made for my VC and one of my AP's. Will be getting more, including one for my LeCoultre Powermatic (18 mm lugs but a 13 mm buckle) and my ΩAT.
Great looking straps Dennis! Love what H-R has to offer but it's hard getting croc or gator straps from the US, as some sellers can't export the "exotic skins". I have had to go to the UK for mine...or sneak a few over the border on those business trips. Any tips for those of us outside of the US?
I have the same difficulty in Australia, you'd be surprised how much genuine "faux" crocodile gets to my house.
Get a friend in the US to send you "watch parts". Fauxcodile? Allifauxtor? ..... which reminds me that H-R's and Kelaran's straps say Genuine Alligator on the backing. Better pack them with stealth technology next time!
My brother-in-law has been helpful as a partner in "crime"...Whoops! Now we're in for it-Damn those NAS fiends! Crocofaux?