One of the pleasures of being into watches is the, dare I say, art, of matching a watch to a strap or bracelet. It can be genuinely transformational, and I do believe there's almost as much joy to be derived from finding a strap that perfectly complements the piece. It's not just about colours or materials - a tool watch needs an appropriate strap based on a number of factors, but that doesn't mean the strap needs to be contemporaneous to the date of manufacture of the watch. A modern silicone strap can look great paired with a 70s diver, and I would have no problem with that. On the other hand, some collectors look for authenticity - a 1964 gold-filled pie-pan must have a strap or bracelet that it would have possibly been sold with.

Many OF members pair their Omegas with non-Omega straps. But what do you think about buckles? Since it's fairly easy to find an Omega branded buckle to match a watch in terms of finish and size, do you tend to swap out generic buckles for an Omega buckle even if it's going on a non-Omega strap, or does that not bother you?

 

Easy to find a modern one, sure, a period correct one from the 60s or older, less so. Lots of fakes...

Personally, I rarely wear leather straps but when I do, I want a signed buckle.

 

I don’t worry about the strap, but place “of the era” buckles with the same era watches, usually my 1950’s Constellations.

Authentic buckles from that era are not plentiful and I do not seek them out... a few have found their way to my house over the years.

 

Vintage steel buckles should be as sturdy as a modern one. The plated brass buckles would be more of a concern though...

 

Have just bought 16mm modern buckles from the Omega Boutique and they do fine.

As above have a few vintage ones and nice to find a vintage one on a old watch but don’t look for them.




Nowadays I have 30-40 straps on watches that are 18mm so to have vintage buckles on all would be a full time pursuit....

 

I've always swapped buckles with OEM ones on aftermarket... I am torn between a clasp or buckle for my 1861.
Would love to see examples of aftermarket straps on Omega clasps here ...

 

I don't collect much vintage anymore, and even on modern watches I'm not too digital on having to have an authentic factory buckle if I'm changing straps. Some people only use Omega straps and buckles (tang or DP) which is fine but is a very expensive way to go and it greatly limits variation in materials, color, stitching, etc. I'm getting a new strap made for my Ultraman, specifying an 18mm buckle width. I have a new Omega buckle ($50) and I might use it, but I also have a new Fluco 18mm deployant clasp if I decide to go that route. Just depends.

 

I 100% agree!!! I will not wear a vintage watch on a strap without a vintage buckle, and I find myself always buying them when I see good and rare ones available (usually when I don’t need them) as you seem to never be able to find them when you do. To me its a microcosm of watch collecting itself... And the best part is no one will ever notice or care but you ... M

 

I don't personally do lean one way or the other with respect to vintage buckles but as always with this hobby you should please yourself. No one here will ever see your buckle, unless of course you choose to show it off to an appreciative audience. And even on OF that audience is a tiny fraction of a vanishingly teensy fraction of the general population who don't care what watch you're wearing, much less which buckle is on it.

 

I was into vintage buckles for a bit. Both my Speedmasters and quite a few of my UG’s have em. I stopped when prices rose and provenance became hard to prove. I would not trust a vintage strap.

 

I don't much care whether it's signed or not, but I do like to match the buckle finish to the case finish. Easy enough to go find brushed or PVD buckles on eBay etc.

 

I find that vintage buckles have the right shape and style that is appropriate to the era of the watch itself. When I can find signed buckles for the watches I collect, I always try to acquire them:

 

I agree. The only caveat to my use of vintage buckles on my pieces are NATO straps (obviously) and for dive watches when I sport a contemporary rubber strap (for which a vintage buckle doesn't make sense).....

 

I would note that you have to be careful with some vintage buckles in determining truly vintage vs. remakes. But once you figure out what you are looking for, you can avoid those mistakes. I also buy vintage straps -- but I seldom put them into use -- the good ones go in the drawer. Same thing applies.... You just have to be careful and know what you are looking for.... M