Hello all,

I am looking for a watch strap to suit the attached watch that I have purchased recently off the forum as the strap isn't included (not received the watch yet but hopefully won't be too long!). The watch will be sent for a full service once received to bring it back to it's former glory.

I would like to pair the watch with a thin, shiny black strap to complement the watch face and would like to get a strap made due to the small sizing required. Also not sure if I should get any padding in the strap.

I can see that a few members of the forum have ordered from "HD Straps" in the past who are based in Vietnam. They have recommended a thin 2mm strap made out of black shiny crocodile - picture below as an example.

Does anyone have any recommendations on the best material to use for the strap and any particular makers, including the one mentioned?

Appreciate any advice.

 

I'd recommend something with either more texture, ie. a lizard grain, or a leather strap devoid of patterning. The one suggested to you would be better suited to a more bulky watch, IMO.

 

Not for everyone’s tastes but, if they’re not on a bracelet, I like to wear my smaller vintage pieces on more casual straps. It makes them a but more modern friendly and seem to wear a bit bigger IMO. I don’t tend to wear a suit very often though. I like bandrbands.com. For example:

 

Thanks for this and I agree.

Is there anyone you can recommend to source/make a black lizard grain strap?

 

I have a few straps from Keleran USA on eBay that I am quite fond of. Hirsch does great work as well.

 

Maybe your watchmaker will also sell straps? They can then make a bit more cash and might give you a discount since your watch will be in for service.

 

Omega makes some great straps for 18mm watches. Tapered to 16mm that suits the vintage style and you get a Omega buckle. Last time I was at a boutique i was amazed at how many straps in 18mm they had available.

 

Thanks for all the advice.

I'm actually now leaning back towards a crocodile or alligator black strap as the lizard seems a bit too textured and delicate to my eye.

I got the below Omega buckle with the watch so will be fitting this on to the strap I get.

 

Teju lizard in burgundy, from Di Modell.

 

I'm now leaning towards a more simple strap - like the one pictured below:



Does this look better than a 'fancier' strap with more texture?

 

I think it looks elegant, simple and dresses the watch well!

I think the beauty of these Seamaster's is you can have as many straps you like to dress them for different occasions. I found after getting my first Seamaster there was a whole other side to collecting...straps, buckles, cases/pouches/rolls enjoy and post some pics when you land on a strap I like vncrocshop on the Bay!

 

Try this thread: https://omegaforums.net/threads/«wa...-buy-good-quality-leather-watch-straps.82232/

You can custom make a thin strap, in short length if you prefer, quite affordably, in many colours. I'd go with black pigskin.

 

If you like a bracelet, these black dials look spectacular on the factory 7-row BOR. if you know the reference number for the case, we could probably tell you which bracelet/endlink combo is correct for it. The bracelets are usually around $250-300, about the cost of a couple nice straps.

 

Any pictures?
I've got a nice black dial that needs some pizazz..... it seems to disappear on a strap.

 

That watch needs no help.

 

You probably don't need to order a custom strap for something so basic. Many manufacturers sell short size straps. You can find a nice simple leather strap like the one you showed for $20 or less.

 

Shark on my black '56.



Coincidentally, that's a '56 Jimmy in the background.

Better pic taken last fall:

 

Just received the watch sourced from the forum!

Looks great, especially paired with a period correct Omega buckle and fitted with a Nomos shell cordovan strap. I am wearing it for the next day or so before it is sent to Simon Freese for servicing as it is running extremely fast and he will also be fitting a correct, signed, crystal with the magnified date window.

This is my first vintage watch and I love the size of this on my skinny wrists. I hate having wrists too small for a Speedmaster but happy that I can wear vintage watches of this size quite easily without them looking too small at all.

I have also just purchased a Universal Geneve Polerouter Date - I think the obsession is starting to take over my life...

 

I would say so! Way to subvert the newbie tax.