The CORFAM strap re-issued. My review

PART 1​

Dear members,

this is my first review here. I hope it can be useful for anyone interested in moving away from steel bracelets toward something different, yet still coherent with the age and character of the watch.

Today I would like to introduce the Reissue Corfam strap, produced by Bill Shaine.

For years, I had the desire to recreate on my Omega watches the exact look seen in vintage catalogues. Much of the inspiration comes from the outstanding archival work of Old-Omegas, which has collected some of the finest original material.

In particular, I was drawn to the distinctive aesthetic of Corfam straps. As many know, Corfam comes with strengths and limitations, and today original examples have become both rare and extremely expensive, assuming one can still find a piece in acceptable condition.

Corfam, developed by DuPont in the 1960s, was intended as a synthetic alternative to leather. It aimed to replicate the appearance and tactile feel of natural hide, while offering better resistance to water and wear. Despite being widely adopted, including by Omega, issues such as stiffness and poor breathability eventually led to its discontinuation. Today, original Corfam straps are collectible items.

During my search, I came across Shaine’s store on a well known marketplace. What makes his offering particularly interesting is the level of fidelity: these are not generic reinterpretations, but carefully researched reproductions, developed with close attention to texture, structure, and production methods. According to Shaine, they replicate the originals in every essential aspect. This point, in my view, is crucial.

Another detail worth mentioning is that Shaine has acquired the rights to the Corfam name, allowing him to reproduce these straps with full consistency, including branding elements and logos. For collectors, this adds an extra layer of authenticity.

Coming to the straps themselves, I ordered three sizes: 19mm, 20mm and 22mm. The model matches exactly the one seen in Omega catalogues, with the characteristic ribbed pattern and micro perforations. My intention was to fit them across different watches: a Seamaster 120 with 19mm lugs, several Speedmasters in my collection, including a 145.022-68 transitional, and the 22mm Mark series and Flightmaster, where Corfam, in my opinion, looks particularly striking.


The y come to Italy so quickly, no issue at all, perfectly packed with a nice padded bag, the strap is also well packaged.



My first impression is extremely positive.

The design is precise and convincing, both in texture and finishing. If I manage to source original 16mm Omega buckles, which is becoming increasingly difficult without significant cost, the overall vintage effect would be complete. An interesting visual detail is how the ribbing appears more or less recessed depending on the viewing angle.

For reference, I have only owned one original Corfam strap in the past, fitted to a Genève Dynamic. Despite being virtually unused, it already showed signs of aging, with micro residues forming on the inner side when handled. For that reason, I never wore it and eventually sold it.

Based on that experience, I can say that the texture and tactile feel of these reissues are extremely close to the original, possibly even improved. While the original Dynamic strap felt relatively light, these reproductions are more solid and substantial.

Those who have owned ribbed Corfam straps from the 1960s or 1970s may offer a more precise comparison. My evaluation is limited to that single reference.

Enjoy the reading, and thank you for your attention.

PART 2​

To better understand the range and historical context of Corfam straps, I revisited a Japanese book on the Seamaster, published in the early 2000s, which originally inspired my search.

It contains several images of Omega watches fitted with dedicated Corfam straps.

In the photo of the Mark III “Big Blue”, the ribbed structure is clearly visible. There were also versions without perforations, more uniform in appearance.

From the always valuable Old-Omegas archive, I also found a page from a 1973 German catalogue showing a full lineup of watches paired with Corfam straps.

Within that catalogue, alongside the Moonwatch and the Mark IV, a Mark II fitted with Corfam stands out as particularly appealing. I tried to replicate the same configuration on my own piece.



The more I experiment with this Corfam aesthetic, the more I find myself appreciating my Omegas.

PART 3

Continuing to explore how to make the most of these reissued Corfam straps by Bill Shaine, I returned again to the Japanese Seamaster book, rich with examples of watches paired with this material.

Although it is not always easy to identify the exact strap type from the images, the sections dedicated to the Chronostop clearly show alternatives to bracelets. Some appear to be leather, but considering the period, it is very likely that Corfam was also offered as an option. Given its presence on the Moonwatch and professional Seamaster models, it is reasonable to assume it was available for the Chronostop as well.

With that in mind, I mounted one of the reissue Corfam straps on my Chronostop. In my opinion, the visual improvement is significant. Even though I still have its original bracelet, which remains very attractive, the Corfam gives the watch a stronger sense of coherence with the functional and comfort driven philosophy that this material was meant to represent.

Interestingly, in many catalogues Omega does not explicitly use the term “Corfam”, often referring instead to “water resistant strap” or similar descriptions. The German term “seewasserfestem” likely points in the same direction.

In fact, I also came across several vintage advertisements featuring the Seamaster Chronostop, shown with either "leather" or Corfam straps. Some Omega ads refer to “waterproof leather” as an alternative option. My impression is that this wording was often used to indicate Corfam, even if not explicitly named.

I also ordered the non perforate version in 22 mm. that will also match this particular Semaster Chronostop pictures.

Although identifying the exact material from catalogue images is not always straightforward, the presence of multiple strap options on the Chronostop suggests that Corfam was indeed part of the offering, just as it was for the Moonwatch and professional Seamaster lines.

I will leave you with some additional photos.

PART 5

Although this forum is primarily dedicated to Omega, many of us also own other remarkable pieces from the broader history of watchmaking.

Personally, my interest has always been quite wide, with a particular focus on watches connected, in one way or another, to space exploration. What has never really driven my choices is the brand itself or the economic value, but rather the story that a watch can carry.

When I discovered these CORFAM reissues by Bill Shaine, reproduced with such accuracy, it opened up new possibilities.

In addition to my Omega pieces, I also own several Seiko watches, along with one model that I particularly appreciate for both its space-related background and what I consider an exceptional design: the Zodiac Aerospace.



For this reason, I decided to order additional straps in 18mm and 19mm, in the perforated and smooth versions, and to fit them on these watches in my collection.



In my opinion, the aesthetic value that these straps bring to vintage Seiko watches is significant. Compared to generic perforated leather straps, or to more temporary solutions such as NATO straps, Corfam seems to restore a stronger sense of coherence.



Ultimately, discovering these CORFAM reissues has allowed me to appreciate even more some pieces in my collection that, when paired with different straps, did not fully express their identity.

If you have questions I am happy to answer at the best of my possibilities.

Great write-up, thanks !
I remember TomDick1977 going on a search for a corfam strap for a Speedsonic (I think)...
Is it style #2 in 22mm and Tropical Vintage you're showing on the Chronostop ?

Yes, exactly!

All of them are Style #2 versions: 19 mm on the Seamaster 120, 20 mm on the Speedmaster, and 22 mm on the Flightmaster, Mark III, and Chronostop.


I also show an image of the 120 one of my favorites with this strap) with the exact Corfiam strap reissued design.

Amazing Longines!

They look absolutely great on your watches.

Thanks for such a thorough write-up and bringing these to my attention. I've got a Heuer that could use one of the 18mm rally straps.

Huh, I didn't know a lot about these and assumed they were leather. They look pretty convincing if you don't look very closely. You learn something new every day!

Yes, at the beginning of my research, started with my first Omega Speedmaster, 26 years ago, I always thought that those seen in the catalogs were made of leather.

Actually, I bought some similar leather bracelets, the ones that are often called "rally".
Honestly, I was never really convinced of the final look.

For this reason I have always worn my vintage Omegas with the original steel bracelets in the various references (very pleasantly also with the Holzers, both 20 and 22 mm) and with the NATO.Although I really like NATOs, on my Speedmasters, both in the real standard and in the MK versions, it always seemed to me that they made me lose their appearance.

Over time and studying the various catalogs, I realized that in reality those depicted were in that material called Corfam®.

At the same time, I realized that I had one, the one indicated on the Dynamic I mentioned.Although the one on the Dynamic was thin and not in very good condition, the more I looked at the old catalogs, the more I wanted a Corfam® with his pro and cons.

Searching on the market, I saw very high prices and for me not reachable.

This reissue satisfies me because not only did Bill reproduce the old technology exactly the same, and consistent with the original, but he also has the rights to the brand name.

This makes them more than perfect for me to get a high-end vintage look.

So I found the Speedsonic lobster "Corfam" version, it's designed differently than these, it's "undulating" for lack of a better word : https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-lobster-leather-strap.116258/post-1543255

Very interesting!

Hello ! Very interesting story ! Having two dynamic watches and several corfam straps from the time ('70 ties) .. I find it nice to be able to get a modern version of the original straps (that I have placed securely in a drawer !). But then perhaps you could inform about the firm selling these .. ans also at what price do they sell ..
Thank you !

Thanks for your questions, I am not sure if it’s allowed to share prices and link, but, if you search Google with “Bill Shaine Corfam” for sure you will find his store!

Indeed, I Found it ! But I was disappointed by the information provided. .. I am interested to learn how they produce the corm material itself .. I raised the question in a mail addressed to them. I also asked if they could produce a strap for the Omega Dynamic.
Will keep you updated if I get an answer.

Please share the answer if he responds! Would also be interested in getting one for my dynamic!

Thanks a lot 🙏🏻

After having consulted again the photographs of the old Omega catalogues, I decided to opt for a Corfam style #4 strap also from the series re-edited by Bill.

I believe based on the photos seen in the catalogs above, it is more consistent, however I also remember a photo of a Chronosop with the Style #2 strap

Both give the Semaster an alternative "flavor" compared to the usual bracelet.