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Perlon straps, are they becoming modern again?

  1. dougiedude Carpe horologium! Sep 26, 2015

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    Mine are from 'Crown and Buckle', and I've been pleased with them so far (3-4 months).

    Here's a few buckle shots:

    image.jpg image.jpg
     
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  2. teamlam Sep 26, 2015

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    dont have personal exp with eulit but others have actually praised their buckle. what problems did you have with it?
     
  3. marturx Sep 27, 2015

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    Here's the buckle on mine. Generic band for sure, since it was cheap, $2:50

    The buckle looks OK to me, the pin a little loose maybe, but cannot see any apparent risk that it would fall off

    image.jpeg
     
  4. ConElPueblo Sep 27, 2015

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    …About to dip it?
     
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  5. marturx Sep 27, 2015

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    No, just wanted to show all of you guys how a non-Gentleman takes his morning coffee :D ::bleh::
     
  6. Darlinboy Pratts! Will I B******S!!! Sep 27, 2015

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    Buckle pin fell off after wearing about half a dozen times. On two different straps.

    That one looks pretty decent. Is the buckle sewn in?
     
    Edited Sep 27, 2015
  7. Ludi Sep 27, 2015

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    Cheap Perlon, cheap watch

    image.jpeg

    I'm more a nato strap guy though, much versatile, comfy and aesthetic from my own point of view
     
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  8. dougiedude Carpe horologium! Sep 27, 2015

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    Yes. $10.50. And except for the wilder colors, they are mostly out of stock (C&B).

    @marturx where did you buy yours?
     
  9. Archer Omega Qualified Watchmaker Sep 27, 2015

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    Gotcha - I was assuming it would be a 2 piece strap. I have a couple of Perlon NATO straps and just ordered some regular Perlon straps from cheapestnatopstraps, so I'll see what those are like with regards to the buckle quality. I want one for my PAM 104 so with the weight of that watch it will be a test of the buckle for sure.

    In addition to putting a sticker on the back of the watch, washing that strap now and then wouldn't hurt either, eh? ;)

    I throw my nylon NATO's in the wash every so often so the same could be done with Perlon without issue I suspect...

    Cheers, Al
     
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  10. marturx Sep 27, 2015

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  11. teamlam Sep 27, 2015

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    are you guys finding the perlon themselves cause the scratches on the case back? or perlon + dirt or vigorous activity causes these case back scratches?
     
  12. marturx Sep 27, 2015

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    My theory is that it's some kind of chemical reaction involving sweat and the (plastic?) material the perlon-straps are made of. Not so much "dirt" maybe. People's transpiration can contain a lot of ingredients.

    I have seen a lot of caseback with horrendeous damages caused by perlon-straps. Not so scratches but pitting and corrosion. Perlon-straps "eats" stainless steel. In the long run that is, but nonetheless
     
  13. micampe Sep 27, 2015

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    There is a seller on eBay that has a surprising number and variety of NOS ones. The buckle is a little flimsy but I think the quality is fine. They are expensive just for the fact of being NOS. I believe they are true NOS, I have no idea how they have so many. I only have the one, can't compare to others directly, but I think they look slightly nicer than others you see around and they have nicer colors and patterns, more “period correct”.

    image.jpg
     
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  14. dsio Ash @ ΩF Staff Member Sep 27, 2015

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    So Perlon is just braided nylon, does it feel better on your skin than normal nylon NATO?
     
  15. micampe Sep 27, 2015

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    It's stiffer and rougher. I don't think it feels better than NATO straps.

    I personally don't like how NATOs look and wear, I prefer these braided ones, less bulky, like an even thinner RAF strap.

    And I think they work as more casual and less sporty than NATO. I would never put a NATO on that Seamaster but I think this one works.
     
  16. gophishin Sep 27, 2015

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    I personally do not think so. The material looks soft in the pictures, but it has the waxed or singed edges which I think feel rougher than regular nylon NATO's. I don't think they're uncomfortable per say, but I prefer a standard nylon NATO. (Mine is from C&B for reference)
     
  17. teamlam Sep 27, 2015

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    Hmmmmm. I'll have to keep an eye on this then. Omega NATO'S do this too??!! I sure hope not for the price on them..
     
  18. devnull Sep 27, 2015

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    Perlon is a polymer developed to reproduce the properties of nylon without violating the patent on its production. It behaves and looks like nylon but it has a cooler name, which is what really counts ;)
     
  19. dougiedude Carpe horologium! Sep 28, 2015

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    Nylon is inert, and will not chemically react. Any increase in wear on a caseback would have to be from its physical properties. Sweat and dirt probably hangs around longer instead of being absorbed such as with leather or cotton; that would account for greater/different wear.
     
  20. teamlam Sep 28, 2015

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    But if you're not wearing the NATO in rugged areas and only to work it shouldn't damage the case back with normal wear.