Hi all, My new Aqua Terra is lovely on the bracelet but as it is my one-watch-collection and I wear it all day, everyday... I need some options and apart from Barton Watch Bands, I can't find anything in terms of rubber or high quality leather. Thought I'd turn to the experts on here. Thanks!
For rubber strap, you might want to check https://www.zealande.com/en/79-for-omega Not sure if they do 19mm ones though. If it is your one and only watch, you might indeed search for a nice custom made leather strap, surely you can find some good artisans near you, or in your country.
Check out Veblenist. I got my 19mm rally strap from them, along with a couple of lovely leather natos. Zuludiver is a good source for rubber.
Rios1931 makes lots of quality leather straps in 19mm. Their Russian leather ones are quite nice. Lots of different sellers have the brand, just google Rios1931 19mm and you will fret numerous hits.
Crown and Buckle do their Chevrons and many others in 19mm, and Holben offer quite a few also, including straps from Hirsch and Fluco, etc.
$: B and R Bands Two Stitch Straps $$ / made to order: Bulang and Sons Veblenist Wristwatch.me (find on Instagram) Joseph Bonnie $$$-$$$$: Aaron Bespoke ABP Jean Rousseau Camille Fournet
The cheaper options don’t seem to cater for the Omega deployant. Any recommendations for those, particularly 19>16mm deployant straps?
If you want an Omega-compatible deployant strap, it will need to made specifically for that type of deployant. If anyone is looking for a nice 19mm leather band that is affordable, comfortable and good looking I will recommend Fluco from Germany. Their goatskin, pigskin and suede straps are the ones I use the most.
Really helpful input, everyone - thank you! That is why I join forums like these. I didn't even know these companies exist! I have ordered a strap from B&R (navy calf leather), a strap from Delugs (royal blue leather), 4 straps from Barton Watch Bands (1 black alligator leather, 1 blue leather with white stitching, 1 navy elite silicone and 1 bright grey elite silicone). I've got my eye on a Hirsch and also a NATO from Crown and Buckle. I've also done something by trial (that could turn out to be trial and error) and purchased a 19mm Tropic rubber strap from YEMA. I have no idea if it will fit an Aqua Terra but it will only be a 60 euro mistake if it doesn't - not the end of the world. I have definitely been proven wrong in regards to 19mm leather but my complaints about 19mm rubber still ring true unfortunately. Being that this is going to be my one-watch collection for the foreseeable, I am really pleased at how versatile and subdued yet playful the blue dial of the Aqua Terra is. I don't think I could've done better with a £5k budget for an every situation daily piece. It is also why I am comfortable getting a bunch of these 19mm accessories to be able to dress it up and down for whatever I am doing or what season it is.
I had Jean Rousseau make me a custom 19mm black leather strap for my FOIS and used their deployant as well for $240 total shipped I think. I recommend them. Edit: It's a 19mm/16mm strap and the JR deployant.
My Bartons came and I've settled on the blue one as my daily wear. Doesn't show that well in this late evening photo.
For the budget minded cheapNatostaps.com is a good option. Inexp NATO, stingless pass, elastic parachute style (oh so comfortable), seatbelt, etc. I swap mine out all the time. Changes the entire look. Just get a goo tool/tools to work the springbars.
Kaufmann offers some really nice straps in many colours with different widths to choose from. For example: https://www.kaufmann.shop/en/watchs...er=K855_14.4#6b7c129dd4a76351ce86c2eb2f244560