Companies charging hundreds for a custom alligator strap

[Evan_k 2]

What’s the most you’ve ever paid for a custom made (custom color/tanning, lining, stitching, buckle, lined with lugs or inside lugs, custom width) and is it a bad idea to spend that much for a strap. I’m talking near $300 or even more in some cases.

[BravoDelta 22,444]

I would check out Nero straps. Lots of photos on his Facebook page. Here

https://www.facebook.com/Nerostraps/

https://www.rwg.bz/board/index.php?/forum/319-nero-straps-by-johng/

 

[deju 1,872]

On custom straps? Sure I had a Dangerous9 strap commissioned that was $300 or there about’s. Work of art worth every penny.

I’ve spent $195 on a Horus strap, over hyped pile of shit. 
 

you have to wade through the hype, tbh you should be able to get a custom strap that’s decent sub $200 

[GenTLe 1,501]

17 minutes ago, Evan_k said:

What’s the most you’ve ever paid for a custom made (custom color/tanning, lining, stitching, buckle, lined with lugs or inside lugs, custom width) and is it a bad idea to spend that much for a strap. I’m talking near $300 or even more in some cases.

I remember @_DC_ spent more than 350$ for a Camille Fournet strap for his rep Patek.

What to say... Choices.

For me it's insane

My 3 choices for straps in general are ZicZac leather for snake/crocodile/lizard (https://ziczacleather.com/) plus some even cheaper one from ebay (https://www.ebay.it/str/vncrocsell), and Nero (the TD here) and Andrea from Martu https://www.martuleather.com/

They are all around 50$/strap

[Evan_k 2]

45 minutes ago, GenTLe said:

I remember @_DC_ spent more than 350$ for a Camille Fournet strap for his rep Patek.

What to say... Choices.

For me it's insane

My 3 choices for straps in general are ZicZac leather for snake/crocodile/lizard (https://ziczacleather.com/) plus some even cheaper one from ebay (https://www.ebay.it/str/vncrocsell), and Nero (the TD here) and Andrea from Martu https://www.martuleather.com/

They are all around 50$/strap

Yeah, I don’t see paying that for a strap unless that strap has a lifetime warranty or is garunteed to last many years

[Piccolo 673]

$300 can be easy done. But get to know the maker first. 
I’ve spent more on stuff that was hard to make and completely custom. 
I’ve spent less and been really pleased. 

As long as you’re happy and it makes you wear the watch more, then it’s money well spent. 

[Realism 72]

https://www.camillefournet.com/en

CF is an OEM maker for many of the watch brands. JLC,  PP, you name it...

https://www.hirschstraps.com/

Hirsch is an OEM maker for many of PAM straps...

15 hours ago, Evan_k said:

Yeah, I don’t see paying that for a strap unless that strap has a lifetime warranty or is garunteed to last many years

there is zero strap that will last a lifetime or "guaranteed" for many years... Wear and Tear through the weather, heat, sweat, etc is just too much of a variable to guarantee against...

Even in the gen-world, straps aren't specifically included in the regular watch warranty clause for the wear and tear reasons...

[RussP 22,195]

There's a guy over on RWI that makes some lovely straps... Can't remember his name.

Something like Asterisk or Obelisk..

[tabuktime 54]

I remember (in the dim and distant past) talk of Viet Straps on eBay and them being great quality and low priced.

Had a quick Google just now and there seem to be a few around. Not sure which was the go to for members though...

[_DC_ 218]

17 hours ago, GenTLe said:

I remember @_DC_ spent more than 350$ for a Camille Fournet strap for his rep Patek.

What to say... Choices.

For me it's insane

My 3 choices for straps in general are ZicZac leather for snake/crocodile/lizard (https://ziczacleather.com/) plus some even cheaper one from ebay (https://www.ebay.it/str/vncrocsell), and Nero (the TD here) and Andrea from Martu https://www.martuleather.com/

They are all around 50$/strap

Yeah I’ve bought several CF straps at circa $300-$350 in the past and can honestly say they are worth every penny. A high quality strap totally transforms a watch, don’t underestimate the difference it can make!!

To be fair though this price is for their bespoke service so you spec the strap entirely to what you want, from the colour and material down to how it’s stitched and how the edge is finished etc. I found this was the only way to get exactly what I wanted/needed in a strap, as none of the “off the shelf” options available gave me what I wanted. Pateks often have less common lug sizes (19mm and 21mm) and for me quick release system is essential as I hate scraping around with a tool to get my straps off for cleaning the watch etc.

Also, CF are the manufacturer that Patek themselves use, so I can ask them what the specs of the gen watch strap are and essentially get a gen spec strap but in a colour of my choosing!

DC

 

[Evan_k 2]

17 hours ago, tabuktime said:

I remember (in the dim and distant past) talk of Viet Straps on eBay and them being great quality and low priced.

Had a quick Google just now and there seem to be a few around. Not sure which was the go to for members though...

you mean with the leather piece like what Johnny Depp wears? like a watch cuff?

[FunnyStarSystem 7,538]

This guy has done some amazing bespoke straps for me, just email him and get a quote. http://orloff-straps.blogspot.com/

I don't think I ever paid over $150, but prices may have risen. This is his work below, chose everything from start to finish:

 

[Simonix 8,660]

5 hours ago, FunnyStarSystem said:

This guy has done some amazing bespoke straps for me, just email him and get a quote. http://orloff-straps.blogspot.com/

I don't think I ever paid over $150, but prices may have risen. This is his work below, chose everything from start to finish:

 

Nice watch/strap combo.

One question though, is that strap on "backwards"?  As in, the buckle side is attached at 6  rather than at 12?

[FunnyStarSystem 7,538]

31 minutes ago, Simonix said:

Nice watch/strap combo.

One question though, is that strap on "backwards"?  As in, the buckle side is attached at 6  rather than at 12?

That's how an IWC deployant is worn. This isn't uncommon among other brands and actually makes operating the deployant easier.

If you look at all of IWC's deployant clasps you'll notice the lettering is oriented so that it is properly read by the wearer in this configuration.

It also keeps the tail from catching on things by facing inward, I'm not sure if that was part of the intention, or just a bonus.

[Simonix 8,660]

@FunnyStarSystem Thanks, never seen it before to be honest.

I notice that the AP deployant buckles go the opposite way around the wrist than most, but the buckle side is still on 12.

All interesting either way.

[FunnyStarSystem 7,538]

Here's a Grand Seiko with the inward configuration:

And Patek Phillipe:

Etc, etc

[Evan_k 2]

11 hours ago, FunnyStarSystem said:

Here's a Grand Seiko with the inward configuration:

that strap is B E A UTIFUL

 

Edited May 4, 2020 by Evan_k

[tabuktime 54]

18 hours ago, Evan_k said:

you mean with the leather piece like what Johnny Depp wears? like a watch cuff?

Never really saw the straps, just remember the name being bandied around.

[Simonix 8,660]

VNcroc

tvcroc

i have used both of the above on eBay. Vietnamese croc strap makers. Cheap, but really nice quality. They just take ages to get through the post. 
 

I have also just recently bought a couple of croc straps from ziczac. Still waiting for them, but they look good from what I have seen. 

[Intresting 21,683]

I've used these guys.   Good value.  Excellent quality.   real croc and alligator.  Even ostrich.  You can also choose length.   They do curved ends too.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/264527765459?ul_noapp=true

[jackteet 0]

Hi, I have purchased a lovely ostrich leather strap from a Vietnamese seller on ebay uk for about £20.00. It is fitted with a tang buckle but am considering a deployant clasp. The clasps sown in this thread are great but I am concerned that a deployant clasp is rather bulky on the wrist.

My watch is a small and thin Seiko vintage and the ostrich strap is 5mm at lugs decreasing to 2mm at the buckle end. I would welcome knowing whether these clasps are bulky in wchich case I shall probably stick with the tang buckle.

[GenTLe 1,501]

1 hour ago, jackteet said:

Hi, I have purchased a lovely ostrich leather strap from a Vietnamese seller on ebay uk for about £20.00. It is fitted with a tang buckle but am considering a deployant clasp. The clasps sown in this thread are great but I am concerned that a deployant clasp is rather bulky on the wrist.

My watch is a small and thin Seiko vintage and the ostrich strap is 5mm at lugs decreasing to 2mm at the buckle end. I would welcome knowing whether these clasps are bulky in wchich case I shall probably stick with the tang buckle.

Out of those I've tried, the only one that really annoys me is the Breitling one. A bit sometimes also the TAG ones, the others are fine.

[jackteet 0]

Hi GenTLe, many thanks for that.  Many deployant clasps are of course said to fit a particular make of watch but am I right in thinking that provided I correctly measure the buckle end width of my strap and order a clasp of the same size then the clasp will fit.

My watch is a Seiko and the leather strap is just a standard 18mm/20mm. thanks jack