Hello, I have been lurking for a little bit but finally got the motive to join the forum. I am looking to buy a OEM alligator strap as a replacement for my speedmaster moonwatch original strap that came with the hesalite version back in 2018. The 20mm/16mm. I already have the 16mm clasp however I am not sure what to look for to distinguish between real or fake omega straps?

I found this one chrono24. I compared this to mine (damaged one), it's a lot shinier, mine looks matte-ish and the 3 letters don't match (IAC). What do you guys think? Is this genuine?

I am aware of the whole buy the buyer thing.

They are a trusted seller with 297 reviews
414 watches sold with buyer protection

Omega Aligator Strap 20 mm/16 mm New for sale from a Trusted Seller on Chrono24

They also have a store in Poland and website.
Koleckja zegarków - Eleganckie zegarki (eleganckie-zegarki.com)

however I am based in uk so will have to take delivery

What do you guys think?
Any tell signs of a fake/genuine?

Anyone used this seller before?

Thank you for help in advance

 

Everything is consistent.

 

Thanks for your response, Is there anywhere I can get it authenticated like an Boutique or dealer?

 

I wouldn't bother. I believe it to be correct, and that should be enough.



Seriously, it's right. Worry not.

 

It looks good to me. But I'd still take it to your AD.

 

Ahhahaahahahahahahahahahahaahah


Man honestly AD’s know nothing about straps.
Boutiques generally will not Authenticate anything. The staff isn’t trained too and most barely know the current models.


:edit:

im sorry for laughing that hard but it’s true.

 

Maybe mine are just nice. But I've had good luck getting a good opinion from them in the past. just my experience.

 

So your AD sells a lot of straps? And knows what to look for in fakes and in the fake packaging?

they have looked at hundreds of vintage watches and can attest to originality?

 

How do you know who your daddy is......because your momma told you so! Nothing is ever certain. Sometimes you have to take the best advice given, even if it isn't 100%. If you're buying from a non AD, you're never going to be 100%. But going to one, unless you have perfect trust in an expert, is the best you can do.

 

LOL I trust the experts. And the experts are not at an AD. Those guys get zero training.

 

Thanks man.
I am also in the camp that the AD don't know fake straps...to me, they re just sales staff.

Is any something I should look for to authenticate straps myself? How do people become good at this?

Should I go ahead and buy that strap from this seller?

 

What if my daddy insists that I look like the mailman?

 

I sold an OEM Omega gator earlier. I know mine was 100% legit, due to the source.

With your pics, the only thing that stands out is the stitching. Oh man, it's all over the place.

Here's a link to my old ad:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/new-oem-omega-blue-alligator-strap-98000454.122630/

 

you dont think the stitching is legit? yours looks neater.

 

I'm no expert. But, for OEM Omega, the stitching is pretty wonky. Omega produces quality stuff.

Rather than ask a Boutique to authenticate (which they won't and can't, as others have said), why don't you go to an AD and look at an Omega watch with the same strap and look at the stitching?

I suspect you'll find your answer that way.

 

Can't thank you enough for a response and excellent idea. Are you specifically referring the wonky stitching on the underside of the strap?

 

Absolutely. Uncharacteristic of OEM.

$30 custom straps from Vietnam have better stitching than that.

 

I looked online and saw others with this part number with goofy stitching.

Maybe not buy any of this strap and instead get the 980000245, which is 20/18, so new buckle. Erm, never mind.

 

Unfortunately I have the 16mm clasp already. I also looked online for same strap
fs - Omega 20mm Black Alligator Strap & Omega 16mm Deployant Clasp | Omega Forums
This member has it listed. What do you guys think?
It looks similar to me but I'm a noob at this.
Is there a guide where i can learn how to tell the real straps from fake?
I'm not sure if i should buy this one from that buyer

 

You just have to get used to the various markings used over the years. For what it's worth, I still think the one you originally posted is real; it just wasn't made as well as some.