Vintage shagreen/stingray?

Gyges · May 17, 2020

This image is taken from another thread: https://omegaforums.net/threads/vintage-watch-ads.113795/#post-1509067.

What caught my attention is the material of the leather straps, the one on the left on what looks like a ladies' watch and the one on the right on what might be a gents' (but there's no second hand - does it means that it also is a ladies model?). While it's not quite easy to see for sure, they look like shagreen/stingray. Is this correct? Whatever it is, it looks nice. Does this mean that this kind of strap might be period correct for some higher end, dressy Omegas as well?

STANDY · May 17, 2020

In the day exotic skins were the norm. Elephant skin was often seen on men’s watches.

You might think crazy, but you could buy a lion at Harrod,s up until 1976 😗

These Australian backpackers bought a lion cub from Harrods’ Pet Kingdom in 1969. Photo Credit: Television Stills (PETS)

https://www.globalanimal.org/2014/01/14/famous-pet-store-closes-doors/115406/

The Telegraph, Patrick Sawer

It was the place where, if your wallet and your home were large enough, you could buy an elephant, tiger or even a camel as a household pet.

But after years of supplying its customers with exotic creatures of all stripes and none, Harrods’ famous pet department is closing its doors for good.

There was a time, before the 1976 Endangered Species Act, when the store’s Pet Kingdom rivalled London Zoo and customers could purchase almost any creature

In 1951 the Canadian actress Beatrice Lillie bought an alligator from Harrods for Noël Coward, the writer and playwright, for Christmas, and in 1967 a baby elephant called Gertie was ordered from there by Ronald Reagan, the then governor of California and future President, who wanted one for a Republican party rally.

JwRosenthal · May 17, 2020

Stingray straps are still very much available- and the cut of the stingray dictates the price (larger and more even beads from the belly command more).
https://debeerwatchbands.com/stingray-flat-watch-band/
the bespoke market has some interesting options if you search the web.

“elephant grey” straps are also available, although not made of elephant any more thank goodness, usually textured to imitate elephant skin.
Fluco makes a line of goat skin straps right now that are wonderfully textured and very reminiscent of the pigskin straps of the 40’s-60’s.

Oh, and two hand watches in “larger” sizes (28mm-32mm) were men’s formal dress watches. I have a lovely 30mm gold 2-handed Omega that my lady wears- although it was marketed as men’s dress watch.

MMMD · May 17, 2020

STANDY
In the day exotic skins were the norm. Elephant skin was often seen on men’s watches.

You might think crazy, but you could buy a lion at Harrod’s up until 1976 😗...

In America, Florida gave us exotic animal abuse for the masses. Baby alligators were sold as souvenirs until the ‘50s, and until the early ‘70s you could get a mail-order monkey from Miami for $18.95.
I think the alligators were safer.

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/undertheinfluence/mail-order-monkeys-other-crazy-comic-book-ads-1.4536179

cristos71 · May 17, 2020

I remember in the 1970's being so intrigued by these adverts in my comics but I blew all my pocket money on X-Ray specs and itching powder instead 😁

JwRosenthal · May 17, 2020

Being a generation removed from when exotic pet by mail-order was a “thing”, it is truly unfathomable. Hopefully the same will be with other social ills for the next generation.

rob#1 · May 17, 2020

STANDY
In the day exotic skins were the norm. Elephant skin was often seen on men’s watches.

You might think crazy, but you could buy a lion at Harrod,s up until 1976 😗

These Australian backpackers bought a lion cub from Harrods’ Pet Kingdom in 1969. Photo Credit: Television Stills (PETS)

https://www.globalanimal.org/2014/01/14/famous-pet-store-closes-doors/115406/

The Telegraph, Patrick Sawer

It was the place where, if your wallet and your home were large enough, you could buy an elephant, tiger or even a camel as a household pet.

But after years of supplying its customers with exotic creatures of all stripes and none, Harrods’ famous pet department is closing its doors for good.

There was a time, before the 1976 Endangered Species Act, when the store’s Pet Kingdom rivalled London Zoo and customers could purchase almost any creature

In 1951 the Canadian actress Beatrice Lillie bought an alligator from Harrods for Noël Coward, the writer and playwright, for Christmas, and in 1967 a baby elephant called Gertie was ordered from there by Ronald Reagan, the then governor of California and future President, who wanted one for a Republican party rally.

My pet tortoise is still going strong, bought by my family in London in 1974 not long before the Endangered Species Act was passed. We were told that it was male, so hoped it might shack up with our existing female, but the day it laid an egg we figured out the ‘expert’ was wrong 😒.

I think our pet’s going to outlive us all, though I guess tortoiseshell is no good for watch straps anyway.

STANDY · May 17, 2020

MMMD
In America, Florida gave us exotic animal abuse for the masses. Baby alligators were sold as souvenirs until the ‘50s, and until the early ‘70s you could get a mail-order monkey from Miami for $18.95.

MMMD
I think the alligators were safer.

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/undertheinfluence/mail-order-monkeys-other-crazy-comic-book-ads-1.4536179

MEANWHILE IN DARWIN 😎

How to keep a crocodile
Crocodiles can be very dangerous. There are guidelines you must follow if you want to keep a crocodile in the Northern Territory (NT).

There are two species of crocodiles that may be kept as pets - saltwater crocodiles and freshwater crocodiles. Both need similar conditions in captivity

https://nt.gov.au/environment/anima...ts/keeping-crocodiles/how-to-keep-a-crocodile

Like these points

* You can add vitamin supplements to their diets for more benefit. This is not as important if the crocodile is receiving whole prey.

* You will only get a permit to keep a crocodile over 60cm in some rural areas if you have a large space, there is no threat to the public and you have a senior first aid certificate.
You must keep a trauma kit in case of emergency.

Another titbit for Darwin local laws. A 12yo can ride down the street with a crossbow as long as the bolt is not loaded.

JwRosenthal · May 17, 2020

STANDY
MEANWHILE IN DARWIN 😎

How to keep a crocodile
Crocodiles can be very dangerous. There are guidelines you must follow if you want to keep a crocodile in the Northern Territory (NT).

There are two species of crocodiles that may be kept as pets - saltwater crocodiles and freshwater crocodiles. Both need similar conditions in captivity

https://nt.gov.au/environment/anima...ts/keeping-crocodiles/how-to-keep-a-crocodile

Like these points

* You can add vitamin supplements to their diets for more benefit. This is not as important if the crocodile is receiving whole prey.

* You will only get a permit to keep a crocodile over 60cm in some rural areas if you have a large space, there is no threat to the public and you have a senior first aid certificate.
You must keep a trauma kit in case of emergency.

Another titbit for Darwin local laws. A 12yo can ride down the street with a crossbow as long as the bolt is not loaded.

I love this planet!

Archer · May 17, 2020

MMMD
In America, Florida gave us exotic animal abuse for the masses. Baby alligators were sold as souvenirs until the ‘50s, and until the early ‘70s you could get a mail-order monkey from Miami for $18.95.
I think the alligators were safer.

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/undertheinfluence/mail-order-monkeys-other-crazy-comic-book-ads-1.4536179

"Loads of fun and amusement"...not for the monkey.

cristos71
I remember in the 1970's being so intrigued by these adverts in my comics but I blew all my pocket money on X-Ray specs and itching powder instead 😁

I got some of the itching powder - looked like bits of fiberglass insulation.

I also bought some cigarette loads - when a smoke blew up in my dad's face, that was the end of using those...😗

Always wanted to buy the powder you put on a bar of soap that turned into blood...that was going to be for my older sister...

M'Bob · May 17, 2020

cristos71
I remember in the 1970's being so intrigued by these adverts in my comics but I blew all my pocket money on X-Ray specs

This was the ad I remember. Who could have guessed that 55 years later, Lululemon sports wear for women would would makes these totally unnecessary.

cristos71 · May 17, 2020

M'Bob
This was the add I remember. Who could have guessed that 55 years later, Lululemon sports wear for women would would makes these totally unnecessary.

I'd never heard of that, but you sure got me Googling bloody quickly! 😗

BrianPankow · May 17, 2020

Ha! Things I haven’t thought about forever.

Sea Monkeys were a disappointment. They were almost microscopic. Being originally from Michigan my grandparents would go to Florida every winter and return with a baby American alligator for the grandkids. The one major memory is a gator hissing at my dog then latching onto its nose and the dog shaking it’s head on an attempt to rid itself if this strange creature.

M'Bob · May 17, 2020

BrianPankow
Ha! Things I haven’t thought about forever.

Sea Monkeys were a disappointment. They were almost microscopic. Being originally from Michigan my grandparents would go to Florida every winter and return with a baby American alligator for the grandkids. The one major memory is a gator hissing at my dog then latching onto its nose and the dog shaking it’s head on an attempt to rid itself if this strange creature.

Brian: related to the trombone player in Chicago?

M'Bob · May 17, 2020

More X-Ray specs fun:

Can you see this running today? Check out the drool...

Here's the cleaner version: "Yes, I know you're in a bangin' cocktail dress, but being in orthopedics, I only want to check out the boney alignment of your hands...

Then we have the budding psychologist:

ahsposo · May 17, 2020

These guys have gone completely Underground:

Syrte · May 17, 2020

JwRosenthal
“elephant grey” straps are also available, although not made of elephant any more thank goodness, usually textured to imitate elephant skin.
.

Sorry to disappoint you but elephant straps made of genuine elephant hide are still totally available, in good shops which will only sell them if the hides come with a CITES export license— ie an export license granted in accordance with the “Convention on the Trade of Endangered Species”. There are some countries where some protected herds have become too numerous and where culling has been allowed in the past few years.
One reputable shop which sells legal elephant skin straps is Atelier du Bracelet Parisien, and they pulled for me to see and touch the small piece of elephant leather to which the CITES seal was still attached— and which they keep at the ready for inquisitive clients.

That doesn’t mean I would want to buy an elephant skin strap- but they’re available perfectly legally and without harming an endangered elephant.
Again that does require going to a reputable strap maker and not just buying at random from the internet.

Archer · May 17, 2020

Syrte
There are some countries where some protected herds have become too numerous and where culling has been allowed in the past few years.

That doesn’t mean I would want to buy an elephant skin strap- but they’re available perfectly legally and without harming an endangered elephant.

The elephant that was culled might disagree. 😀

Syrte · May 17, 2020

Archer
The elephant that was culled might disagree. 😀

You’re right- the elephant is harmed. I should have said the strap harms the elephant without harming the species. Maybe steel bracelets should be marketed as “vegan”.

Gyges · May 17, 2020

This thread has taken an odd turn, hasn't it? 😀

I don't own a stingray strap but I wasn't under the impression that it would be ethically a particularly unjustifiable choice for leather. Without inspecting the matter into any greater depth, the Wikipedia article for example seems to say that the leather is basically a side-product of Asian food industry. I don't think the stingray is an endangered species (or is it?) and as far as its feelings go, well it's just a fish, and I feel much worse every time I have pork, pigs being highly social and intelligent beings and intensive pig farming often a pretty sordid business. Not to mention chicken farming. But as the L'Oréal ad goes - "because I'm worth it". So it goes. Many people I know have made the choice to be vegetarian, including my two sisters, but I'm just too much of a hedonist for that.

Could anyone tip me off where I could source a koala skin strap? Now that would really bring out my personality.

There's one thing I wonder though. If you bought a lion cub at Harrod's back in the day, did it ever occur to anyone that those things actually grow up? I've seen an adult lion in a zoo and they're pretty awe-inspiring creatures, especially when they roar. I was very happy to be at the other side of the fence and the plexiglas.

Well before Harrods' Pet Kingdom opened for the first time, Lord Rotschild drove his zebra carriage around London. I think the stripes are a marvelous match to his wristwatch, although we don't see it too well in the picture.

Walter-Rothschild-zebras-archive-2496-1629-1226x800.jpg

Vintage shagreen/stingray?

Gyges

STANDY

JwRosenthal

MMMD

cristos71

JwRosenthal

rob#1

STANDY

JwRosenthal

Archer

M'Bob

cristos71

BrianPankow

M'Bob

M'Bob

ahsposo

Syrte

Archer

Syrte

Gyges

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