unpollo2 0 Posted March 15, 2015 i have been looking for larger sized aftermarket Patek cross buckles as Patek only makes them in 14mm to 16mm width i found a seller on EBAY from Greece and his buckles go from 18mm all the way to 22mm which is nice for fatter watch straps like those on the Nautilus problem is his buckles do not look very authentic, they have no engravings or logos of Patek Philippe on them, and the thickness of the strap pass thru and hole pin are much too large for straps leaving a large space when closed against the wrist. i could file down the hole pin but the pass thru under the cross is still too tall and so the empty space still exists also his buckles are stainless steel or rose gold plated does anyone have experience with Fat Panda buckles and are they from same manufacturer? i am looking for as close to gen as possible and would even pay for real white gold material TIA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martijn0007 3 Posted March 15, 2015 I have one from Tim (Fat Panda) and it's great quality! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
unpollo2 0 Posted March 15, 2015 does it have the problems i mentioned above? does it have engravings on the inside of buckle? here is a pic of the problems with the Greece buckle gap Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 83 Posted March 15, 2015 Not a review. Moved to straps section. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martijn0007 3 Posted March 15, 2015 You should swap the cross around, it should look like this: Mine does have engravings. And, I'm quite sure Patek only uses this type of clasp on the Nautilus Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
unpollo2 0 Posted March 15, 2015 (edited) yes i am aware of the nautilus buckle i prefer the cross buckle myself deployments are supposed to be opposite of tangs, you pull on the long strap on a tang to cinch it, but you guide the deployment long strap into the loops does your cross with the hole pin rest on the inner folded clasp metal (left side on your pic) or the leather (right side of pic) my clasp the hole pin is too long as you can see, and it rests on the metal thus creating a gap... also the space under the cross is too large as well and both rest on the folded metal underneath so there is always a gap no matter how i orient the hole pin Edited March 15, 2015 by unpollo2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gmtaddict 1 Posted March 15, 2015 That's because you have put it upside down.... To be more specific: the short end of the strap must be at 6 o'clock, the long part of the strap at 12 o'clock, and the deployant part must be against your wrist on the 6 o'clock side. Effectively, the short side of the strap will be OVER the deployant buckle, and the pin will lock the long part of the strap at a point where it is over the short side.. Hoping this helps Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_DC_ 218 Posted March 15, 2015 That's because you have put it upside down.... To be more specific: the short end of the strap must be at 6 o'clock, the long part of the strap at 12 o'clock, and the deployant part must be against your wrist on the 6 o'clock side. Effectively, the short side of the strap will be OVER the deployant buckle, and the pin will lock the long part of the strap at a point where it is over the short side.. Hoping this helps Think you're getting confused buddy, the way he's got it is the way it should be, as you rightly say the short end of the strap should be on the 6 o'clock side, but that IS how he's got it. Also the pin should secure into the strap and hold it against the deployant, again this IS how he's got it, unfortunately it just looks as though he's got a crap deployant with a pin that is too long!! Get the one from WatchFinder, that's what I've got on my 5970 and works perfectly (although I have the cross round the other way so the pin touches the strap not the deployant coz otherwise it sits at a funny angle on my skinny wrists). What I will say though, is that the Nautilus strap is designed for a double or "butterfly" deployant not a single folding deployant, so it might sit funny on your wrist!!! DC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gmtaddict 1 Posted March 15, 2015 I may be confused, I'll check with my Gen when I get the chance... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_DC_ 218 Posted March 15, 2015 Pin definitely touches back onto the clasp rather than out onto the strap... DC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gmtaddict 1 Posted March 15, 2015 Right, my mistake.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
unpollo2 0 Posted March 16, 2015 i have PM panda and watchfinder mutliple time. no response i will try again please put my name out as trustworthy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
unpollo2 0 Posted March 16, 2015 thanks all! i understand that this being a rep forum and not gen would be slightly skeptical i want the Fat Panda 18mm cross if he has it, in white gold too it is superior to the Greece one i bought off EBAY thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
unpollo2 0 Posted March 18, 2015 still no reply from Fat Panda / Watchfinder anyone help? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peteins 3 Posted March 18, 2015 I spent a long long time looking for this, It is the only one on alliexpress and am not sure you are worthy of such information but....Here you go: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-arrival-Watchbands-Buckle-Stainless-Steel-Clasp-20mm-Brand-Leather-Rosegold-Silver-Deployment-Free-shipping-Fits/32272678779.html message the seller for a different size or colour, he has them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
unpollo2 0 Posted March 18, 2015 I spent a long long time looking for this, It is the only one on alliexpress and am not sure you are worthy of such information but....Here you go: http://www.aliexpres...2272678779.html message the seller for a different size or colour, he has them. LOL thanks man! however the quality of that buckle is lesser than the Greece one i already have. the cross is not a very good replica, no engravings, and the hole pin appears to be just as long as my current one. i think Fat Panda / Watchfinder buckle is the one i want, if only someone who has constant contact with them could get their attention for me that's what i am looking for. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_DC_ 218 Posted March 18, 2015 WatchFinder are super busy, I know a friend who has an order with them, he paid a week ago and they had the watch in stock but still haven't sent him QC, so don't think it's personal, just think they're super busy and struggling to get back to people!! DC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peteins 3 Posted March 19, 2015 Its alliexpress so you never know what I'll get, could be the better version, Ill post pics when it arrives and for a tenner delivered you can't really go wrong Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
unpollo2 0 Posted March 23, 2015 how is the alliexpress buckle? i still haven't heard from Watchfinder but i did find a gen white gold 18mm cross buckle on ebay and bought it for 2700 usd. apparently they are quite rare and usually only in euro countries, but it is gen as my 5712g is gen too Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peteins 3 Posted March 24, 2015 how is the alliexpress buckle? i still haven't heard from Watchfinder but i did find a gen white gold 18mm cross buckle on ebay and bought it for 2700 usd. apparently they are quite rare and usually only in euro countries, but it is gen as my 5712g is gen too wow, i couldn't even imagine spending that amount on a buckle! but if you have the money then fare enough i guess.. Its pretty decent, It has no engravings, but I'm not bothered about that. If your comparing it to the gen, I don't think It'll be very good Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
unpollo2 0 Posted March 24, 2015 Does it have the gap issue I had with that Greece buckle? See above images Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peteins 3 Posted March 25, 2015 Does it have the gap issue I had with that Greece buckle? See above images i don't actually have a strap to put it on, i just bought it for a future purchase, but it doesn't look like it would have a big gap yours does after its got thin strap through it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gmtaddict 1 Posted March 28, 2015 Here is the greek ebay bucke compared to gen Apart from width size, the major difference is the length of the pin that gets into the strap. Even with thick strap you still have a not so nice gap.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
unpollo2 0 Posted March 30, 2015 its both the pin and the support bar that the cross emblem rests on. even if you file down the pin the bar under the cross still has a large gap. if they cut the size of the gap and pin by half it would be great. the cross design is a much better replica than the alliexpress one Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
watchworm 0 Posted April 10, 2015 I spent a long long time looking for this, It is the only one on alliexpress and am not sure you are worthy of such information but....Here you go: http://www.aliexpres...2272678779.html message the seller for a different size or colour, he has them. Now another deployant on ali with better "fleur". £14 http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/18mm-20mm-Silver-Rose-Gold-Stainless-Steel-Polished-Watch-Bands-Buckle-Deployment-Clasp-Free-Shipping/1191649_32308103493.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
