Hello all, and Happy Holidays!
As you can tell I am here to decide on which quality leather watch strap to put on my 1967 Sea-master Deville 14kt gold bezel and SS back. a picture will be attached below for visualization purposes. Let me start off letting everyone know as well as being new to these forums I am very new to Omega vintage watches. I research as much as possible in my free time as well as on work breaks because I've found a deep passion for time pieces after stumbling across them in search of something for my wrist;now what better way to accommodate that then an Omega amirite !? Long story longer I've purchased the watch about a month ago therefore my knowledge only goes back that far. I'm currently thinking about Hirsch straps, specifically a brown lizard grain which came with my watch but is an aftermarket Kreisler which I don't know to much about. From what I see Hirsch is better quality but I really can't make that assumption considering I have no in hand experience. If anyone does please let me know via message or comment below. Also does anyone have experience with Hirsch Leather Straps and specifically with the duke alligator (which I'm getting for my Oris Artelier Moonphase black face/Black strap if Hirsch pans out) and Lizard Grain, regular Lizzard or "RAINBOW" which I'm not understanding the title. My quick thoughts are Rainbow meaning various colors for the leather grain but not sure. If any one is experienced with leather straps or does reviews(please feel free to leave link or DM) or knows a different leather maker for the style I am seeking. Black Gator 21mm (not shiny) and brown Lizard grain 18mm. Lastly my omega lug with is 18mm on the dot therefor i'm getting 18mm width, my oris is 20.8mm therefor a 21mm which Hirsch carries or a 20mm? Thanks in advance I seriously appreciate how informative and helpful these forums have been to me, the community is quite delightful!
Thanks ,
Ross
P.S It'd be a lie if I wasn't thinking a black Lizard for the omega , I think that black and gold tone but two black leathers when i have brown belt and shoes. So many choices !!

 

Nice watch you got there. Have you checked out the pinned post regarding watch strap resources in the Open Discussion forum?

https://omegaforums.net/threads/«wa...ather-watch-straps.82232/page-11#post-1125492

 

I was searching for one I must have missed it , i'm going to check it out now !
Thanks,
Ross

 

Glad to help, you are welcome! Hunting for the right strap is a game as exciting as hunting for watches, GLHF!

 

@Lbreak My Oris lug width being 20.8mm; will 21mm or 20mm strap be the suggested ?
Thanks,
Ross

 

21mm absolutely

 

Re Hirsch straps, they are very good. Download their catalogues which will give you the complete view:
https://hirschag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Katalog_2017_Bracelets_DE_EN_WEB_HQ.pdf
and:
https://hirschag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Katalog_2017_Haute-Gamme_DE_EN_WEB_HQ-1.pdf

 

Hirsch are good bang per buck, but definitely better quality straps out there. What's your budget?

 

These days, all my straps come from here:
https://www.bandrbands.com/index.aspx

I have a relatively small wrist so I really value the ability to order different lengths from them at a reasonable proce.

 

Over the past year, I’ve purchased Colareb, Hirsch and a steal milanais from Blackbough. At first I was weary of the quality of Hirsch straps. I made a mistake when ordering my first strap, I ended up ordering some kind of weird camel grain that I didn’t like very much.

Since then, I’ve purchased 3 other straps from Hirsch, and I’ve been very happy with the quality. I’ve never owned an ultra luxury strap like Jean Rousseau or Camille Fournet, so it’s hard for me to compare. But I think the quality of Hirsch is great in terms of what you pay for it. I do think they feel more “plasticky” or synthetic compared to the higher end leather straps.

I’ve ordered two Duke Alligators so far, and I’m VERY happy with both (see pictures below) - one is tan coloured and the black.

 

I love my Colareb straps, but they’re a bit rougher around the edges, it’s a fuller cut of leather that I find is generally too thick for true dress watches. I think the quality is excellent and it definitely feels softer compared to Hirsch. Probably much better for divers. But you can definitely make it work!