Hi all I wrote in an earlier post that I happened upon a jewelry store that was closing, and brought home some nice NOS straps and bracelets. One of the was this Corfam deployant-style strap by JB Champion. This is the first Corfam that I’ve handled, so I’m wondering how robust and reliable this is. Would you trust a watch to it? It is still flexible and feels sturdy. Gratuitous photos for the historical record... I’ve been reading that Corfam was made by DuPont from ‘64 to ‘71 as a synthetic leather product, but it simply did not live up to the expectations. For those who like hot uncomfortable footwear, you’ll be pleased to learn that they even made Corfam shoes
I had some of those shoes. They sat in my closet for over 15 years. When I finally needed them again, the soles came apart after four or five steps. I’m sure that’s unrelated to the Corfam tho. Haha
If it's flexible and not cracked I would use it. My first new watch came on a Corfam strap and that lasted 6 years before it was just too grotty to wear. I was a very active & sweaty guy then and I don't think Corfam is breathable. I don't think I ever threw it away and there's an original 1960s Heuer buckle on if if I could find it again.
I read about those shoes, apparently they were non-breathable and didn’t conform to your feet like leather would. it sounds like you were lucky to have them fall apart.
Corfam was the future for shoes back in those days. I had a pair or two of Corfam shoes, they never held up and they were hot. DuPont's advertising of the time was "Better Living through Chemistry", but Corfam failed on that point. If the material is still supple you should be ok to wear it, but keep an eye on it for it will eventaully disintegrate. I'm surprised it has survived this long, even in a jewelry shop.
Smell it. Plastic odor? I would definitely give it a sharp tug once installed to make sure it's stable
Well, that was interesting. It doesn't smell like one would expect @Schmedsc 's shoes to smell like, but it does smell like a doctors office circa 1985. Not a strong smell, but if you really dig in, that's the exact smell.
My first watch came on a Corfam watch, that strap lasted almost as long as the watch. DuPont Corfam didn’t do all that well and the technology was sold to a Czech shoe company that pumped out shoes made of the stuff for ages afterward. Just the thing for a stylish young buck in a hopped up Skoda.
Reseaeching about old Seamasters I found thins invoice from an article that states that some 166.0024s were delivered to Comex on Corfam straps. Interesting...
I have a couple of NOS 19mm corfram Omega straps that are really nice but I don’t have a watch to put them on. HMU if you need one. To me they are kinda like a dressy tropic.
I am not looking for any at the moment but could you show us what they look like? I haven't seen any in the (synthetic) flesh so pictures are always appreciated!
If my memory is correct, Omega Dynamics with the integrated strap used Corfam, as did the Omega Chronostops with the strap extremely like the one in your first pic.