Where would you guys recommend purchasing a nice strap, and do you usually have some sort of preference in the sense that you go for certain combinations? ie. gold with a black alligator strap. Thanks for your opinions

 

A black strap with a gold watch can look very nice, but it is somewhat "dressy". If that is the look you desire, then fine. Brown is a little softer, warmer, and rather less formal. But avoid a black strap with a black dial. Most vintage black dials have faded somewhat to a dark gray, and the strap being very black can make the dial look rather sad. Dark brown alligator looks good with a black dial. I think that quite a light tan strap looks very good on a stainless steel case, it has a rather nice 1950s "sporty" feel to it and goes rather well with an open-top British sports car like an MG or TR. The good part about DIY straps is that of course you can ring the changes to suit your mood

 

http://stores.ebay.com/kelaranusa/

 

+1 on Kelaran

 

+2

 

-3 Doesn't ship to UK, but does 'ship worldwide.' Oh Lord, how hard is it to set up an eBay store? US sellers who do this really irritate me! Still, good news for some, nice straps, but this is what comes up when you 'Ask a Question':

'We're sorry we couldn't find an answer for you. Unfortunately, this seller is not able to respond to your question.'

Anyway, it seems that they do ship to the UK, but you have to write to them directly, outside the eBay system. The straps seem nice, but should I reward such a clumsy process?

 

There are a lot of import restrictions - might want to look into that.

 

Thanks, I appreciate that there are restrictions on some animal hides.

Here's their response to my email:

"Thank you for your email and interest in our items. We apologize but at this time we do not ship any of our internationally."

 

Crap, you just cost me $50 bucks! And I didn't even NEED another strap.

 

It helps to inspire the next watch purchase

 

$50? That's it? There's at least $250 worth of their straps laying in wait for a watch in a box on my desk. All 18 mm, the usual vintage lug width.

 

It's only been one day!

 

True Collector

 

That's when I snag 3 or 4 or 5 or 6….. because you never know when you run across a bag of Omegas, IWCs, or Longines.

EDIT: I wonder how many people have bought a watch from me and never knew that it had either a Kelaran or Hadley-Roma strap on it?

Anyway, there's 6 gator straps sitting in the box: 4 18mm Kelaran, and 2 Hadley-Roma (one custom 19 mm for the VC, another 20 mm for the Breitling). There's 4 18 mm glove leather Kelaran straps too. Forgot about a few other new ones, like a Watch Prince 20 mm black leather with orange stitching and perforations. I need to buy a few more watches for these straps!

 

Photos or they dont exist

 

I'll answer that call out!

 

This weeks haul-
Incoming Grail I hunted for a year:
Out of Production
20mm Curved End Omega Sharkskin
for Speedy use.

2 Handmade Hornback Crocodile
For stocking the box.

 

Damn they are nice.

 

53 at last estimate, most of the little buggers are new or barely used. Then there are the metal bracelets. I know I'm sick. No wonder I'm trying to give this up.