I’ve always wanted a Santoni strap but they never fit on any of the Panerai models I owned. When I got the Mark II, I had my chance.

It was taken off of an IWC.
I made sure to get an OEM buckle, though.

I love how it brings out the shape of the case.

 

I think it looks cool, that’s two of us

 

I also like it. Not often seen but looks cool. Speedmaster MKII is overlooked

 

Is it wrong? I don't know...
But I do like it!

 

Being wrong looks right

 

Thickness of the gator strap matches well with the Mk II.

 

I mean this is your watch, but this gets a hard no in my opinion.

 

Very wrong, sorry.

 

That's all you really needed to know isn't it?

Now get out of here and wear it like it's yours - because it is.

 

I’d pass. That case deserves a bracelet...

 

As a guy who wears his Speedmasters on 16mm straps, I say: If it makes you happy, it’s right as rain.

Enjoy,
-GW

 

I love these posts as they cover interesting issues. There is the group that says, “whatever you like, wear it, it’s yours.” Well, of course that’s true - you own it, you can do what you want with it.

But what about the aesthetics? Again, one can argue that it doesn’t matter if the owner likes it. But then there’s the rub of whether it’s appealing to the eye, the historical context, the design intent.

I think the OP’s watch on the strap looks good.

GW: do you do this for the look, the comfort of a smaller strap. Why?

 

I love alligator straps on Speedmasters.

 

I think it looks good. The black strap echoes nicely with the dial and brings out the case nicely.

 

Ok, We have to know more. What is the backstory? There is not one, but three.

 

Thank you for the compliment. I was being facetious with the original question because I’m a believer that beauty is in the eye........

I do like the dialogue it has opened. I also like that G-Web has been exposed for wearing 16mm straps on his watches. Haha.

 

A few years ago I took the strap from a little Marathon military watch and put it on a Speedmaster and that was it.
It reminded me of Bond's Submariner, and also of Brando's GMT, where the absence of a bezel somehow makes the watch more interesting. In other words, it's the imperfections that I find more appealing than things that are just so.

Cheers,
-GW

 

I personally would not wear that combo--but *who cares* what I think?! Of course, you wear what you want, whatever fits your style. Would be pretty boring if we all agreed.

 

In thirty or more years of wearing decent watches, only one person has ever noticed. And it was an orange Seiko Monster on an orange zulu. Doubtful that anyone will notice, or care. Kind of sad that folks have rules for watch bands...

 

Yep it's wrong. I'm now coming to think the MKII is better on a bracelet.