Is this Omega strap real?

s2000_driver · Apr 5, 2021

Omega does outsource their straps and buckles to various makers. I know that some of their steel fold-over clasps are made in Asia.

It is difficult for an AD or OB to authenticate this strap. There are several models and variations within each model through the years. Some "new" straps sold on eBay and Chrono24 are very old stock when they used different stitching machines/techniques and edge painting. Newer straps have a tighter stitch and have folded/turned edges (full remborde). From the shape of that English point, I feel like it is not a current design. Overall, the strap looks ok to me.

If you are not comfortable with that seller, I am sure Omega boutiques can order locate/order the correct 20/16 for you and mail it to you. Newer straps are well made, but not all of them are perfect. There are straps with uneven stitching and you may get unlucky.

SpikiSpikester · Apr 5, 2021

If you're in the UK, it's easy to get OEM Alligator Speedmaster straps from Watch Obsession, no need to mess around getting them imported

https://www.watchobsession.co.uk/collections/omega-watch-straps?page=2

For what it's worth, I do have doubts about the one on Chrono 24.

Braindrain · Apr 5, 2021

Sammoor
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

I can't vouch whether this is real or not, but the stitching on the OF strap is wayyyyy better than your original example.

bthUK · Apr 6, 2021

out of interest, this is my strap. 20/18. The stitching is very close together on this. I still can't work out what the cursive writing says! Can anyone enlighten me?

YY77 · Apr 6, 2021

B bthUK
out of interest, this is my strap. 20/18. The stitching is very close together on this. I still can't work out what the cursive writing says! Can anyone enlighten me?

Cousu main = hand stitched.

bthUK · Apr 6, 2021

YY77
Cousu main = hand stitched.

That's great. Thanks so much.

Sammoor · Apr 7, 2021

Thank you for taking the time to help me and even teaching me a little. You guys are awesome. I also looked on watch obsession, they don't have the 20/16 strap for my 16mm buckle. I might have to go through the AD although the price is extortionate.

bthUK · Apr 7, 2021

You could buy a non OEM 20/18 to see what you think, with clasp. It will cost a lot less than Omega charge just for the leather on it's own. Personally, I am not too bothered about the logo on the clasp.

SkunkPrince · Apr 7, 2021

Sammoor
the price is extortionate.

Eh, you have the choice ot say no.

I have to say that most of the straps I've bought from Omega have been uniformly of good quality. So if the strap lasts five times longer and costs five times more, then in reality it is "the same price."

That said, I usually buy bracelets. 😁

Sammoor · Apr 7, 2021

I just read somewhere that omega doesn't actually make the straps and outsource them? One of them Is jean rousseau? They are 1/3 the price of the omega straps...Any ideas if this is true?

SkunkPrince · Apr 7, 2021

Sammoor
I just read somewhere that omega doesn't actually make the straps and outsource them? One of them Is jean rousseau? They are 1/3 the price of the omega straps...Any ideas if this is true?

It's possible, and perhaps likely. There is nothing stopping you from choosing any strap you like. You can then add an Omega buckle and you're all set!

There is a thread for recommended strap makers, you might take a look at that.

Foo2rama · Apr 7, 2021

Sammoor
I just read somewhere that omega doesn't actually make the straps and outsource them? One of them Is jean rousseau? They are 1/3 the price of the omega straps...Any ideas if this is true?

That is one of the suppliers

gatorcpa · Apr 7, 2021

Sammoor
I just read somewhere that omega doesn't actually make the straps and outsource them?

That’s true of almost all watch companies.

They hire watchmakers, not tanners.

Rolex buys out the tannery so they can claim it was made “in house”.
gatorcpa

Professor · Apr 8, 2021

The band of my Dad's Omega deVille of 1968 was of much lower quality than I expected, and it wore out and broke within a few months. The buckle should still be here, I used it when I made a replacement band for him.
The OP band looks basically the same other than color.
Perhaps a bad lot of bands was all they had available at the time, or they viewed these bands as thowaways since there were so many finer bands on the market.

Mikeerhymes · Mar 6, 2022

Hi All, apologies for dragging up an old post. I’ve received my first alligator strap strap today and have doubts about the authenticity. I was surprised as it has a dull finish, looking at other photos I expected more shine and the leather looks pitted in places. I was also surprised that the strap is not that flexible, incredibly stiff from the wider half, although I’ve not really applied any pressure, if this is normal does it become more supple over time? However, the stitching looks reasonable.

Appreciate no two will be the same so I might be worried over nothing, any opinions/comments would be greatly received.

Thanks

s2000_driver · Mar 6, 2022

M Mikeerhymes
Hi All, apologies for dragging up an old post. I’ve received my first alligator strap strap today and have doubts about the authenticity. I was surprised as it has a dull finish, looking at other photos I expected more shine and the leather looks pitted in places. I was also surprised that the strap is not that flexible, incredibly stiff from the wider half, although I’ve not really applied any pressure, if this is normal does it become more supple over time? However, the stitching looks reasonable.

Appreciate no two will be the same so I might be worried over nothing, any opinions/comments would be greatly received.

Thanks

looks fine to me. Most leathers develop a shine as they age. Omega mostly uses matte finished alligators for their dark colored straps. They are stiff to begin with and will mold to your wrist over time. This helps with stabilizing the watch on your wrist. If a strap is too soft, the watch will move around a lot more. I wouldn’t be too worried about the authenticity of that strap.

Archer · Mar 6, 2022

M Mikeerhymes
I was surprised as it has a dull finish, looking at other photos I expected more shine

This is a matte finished strap when it comes from Omega, so that's not an indication of anything being wrong.

Is this Omega strap real?

s2000_driver

SpikiSpikester

Braindrain

bthUK

YY77

bthUK

Sammoor

bthUK

SkunkPrince

Sammoor

SkunkPrince

Foo2rama

gatorcpa

Professor

Mikeerhymes

s2000_driver

Archer

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