I just bought an Omega Speedmaster Racing with metal strap (32630405001001). Would like to get an alligator strap. I took it to the showroom and was told that a 19 mm strap would fit with 16 mm deployant clasp. So I bought a 16 mm (94521633) deployant clasp for it. I specifically bought this clasp as my wrists are small. I am unable to find many 19 mm alligator straps for sale. I was looking mainly on ebay. There are many 20 mm alligator straps for good price. Will a 20 mm fit on my watch. With 20 mm I might have to buy another deployant clasp as I might need an 18 mm clasp. Is there a smaller version of 18 mm clasp. Is there any curved ended leather strap for this watch. Any other straps that you guys recommend. Thanks
RHD sells 19/16 mm alligator, but they're designed for tang buckle or RHD deployant clasp. You'd have the slot for the buckle tang showing with a strap like that, and the length may not work with the Omega clasp. I think the boutique meant that the genuine OMEGA 19mm alligator/clasp combo would fit. However, the 19/16 Omega strap as well as the RHD makes the watch look less beefy/more dressy and doesn't really compliment the watch. The Omega racing 19/18 rubber with 18 mm deployant looks good but the combo costs near $800 retail. This is an issue I wrestled with before I bought my Racing, knowing I wouldn't wear it on the bracelet, so I bought it on rubber. Kuki makes a good looking 19/18 mm ostrich that looks perfect on the watch using RHD double fold clasp.
I have a 98000245 strap that I got from Otto Frei a while back. I don't use it much because it seems to have shrunk a little, and 19mm would be a better fit than 20mm it was designed for. It fits the 18mm deployant, so I don' tknow if this helps you any, but if you want it, we can discuss a price. Message me separately. Tom
Thanks for the replies. Does anyone know if a 20 mm strap like 98000215 would fit this watch? I can buy an 18 mm buckle for the strap.
The 98000215 would fit but it would involve a lot of "mooshing" or some other shaving down of the strap, as it has a plastic insert embedded in the lug install ends. A non-curved or fitted Omega strap would be a better bet if you'd like to fit a 20mm into the 19mm lug width. As for the clasp, there are shortened versions of the 18mm and 16mm clasp, but I don't think they actually do that much for strap fitment since when closed the two installed ends are basically in the same position as the regular sized clasp. You'd be better off trying to get a custom made strap for your piece, as the 19mm to 16mm fit is tough to find, especially that can fit the Omega clasp.
Not THAT hard... Otto Frei still has some 19/16 from the fancy "Dynamic" reissue of a few years ago. Tom