Strap alternatives due to sizing
Discussion
Hi all, got my first leather strap watch (Navitimer) and whilst I love the look... the fit isn't great, and my cheaper, metal watch feels so much nicer to wear!
I'm wondering where to go from here:
1) Live with it/get used to it
2) Get a punch to make an 'in-between' hole, though the thought of doing this to a brand new Breitling strap scares the crap out of me!
3) Take it to a professional to punch the new hole
4) Attempt to get the metal strap, though I believe this'll be at least £400/£500 and I don't think can be purchased new any more as it's a discontinued model
5) Get a third party strap. To be honest I've never been a fan of third party ones, but I guess it could work. What styles work with a Navitimer, only leather and metal? Seen Alcantara ones on other watch styles that look good
Anything other options I've missed?
What would you do?
I'm wondering where to go from here:
1) Live with it/get used to it
2) Get a punch to make an 'in-between' hole, though the thought of doing this to a brand new Breitling strap scares the crap out of me!
3) Take it to a professional to punch the new hole
4) Attempt to get the metal strap, though I believe this'll be at least £400/£500 and I don't think can be purchased new any more as it's a discontinued model
5) Get a third party strap. To be honest I've never been a fan of third party ones, but I guess it could work. What styles work with a Navitimer, only leather and metal? Seen Alcantara ones on other watch styles that look good
Anything other options I've missed?
What would you do?
I like fitting really cheap straps to my "expensive" watches. Saves any worry about damage.
A £5 strap on a £3000 watch, and keeping the original in the box, works for me.
I get most of them from Cousins Material House. Most of what sell is decent quality, and priced for trade reselling. They sell without having a trade account, you just have to tick a box to agree that it's a "trade" purchase with minimal right to return unless it's faulty.
For the things that Cousins doesn't sell, there are decent quality repro bracelets (metal straps) on eBay for high end brands. I bought a repro Rolex Submariner bracelet for less than £30, because the orignal was still too long with all the removable links taken out. I hacksawed one fixed link off the cheap one. No branding/logo, but everything else looked like the original.
The tricky bit with bracelets is getting the correct end links that follow the contours of the case lugs.
For leather straps, Cousins also sell butterfly and deployant clasps for a few quid. Simply swap out the buckle that comes with the strap for the new clasp.
If using a cheap strap bothers you, you can experiment with an assortment of cheapies, then spend £50 on a quality aftermarket strap of the same colour and style.
A £5 strap on a £3000 watch, and keeping the original in the box, works for me.
I get most of them from Cousins Material House. Most of what sell is decent quality, and priced for trade reselling. They sell without having a trade account, you just have to tick a box to agree that it's a "trade" purchase with minimal right to return unless it's faulty.
For the things that Cousins doesn't sell, there are decent quality repro bracelets (metal straps) on eBay for high end brands. I bought a repro Rolex Submariner bracelet for less than £30, because the orignal was still too long with all the removable links taken out. I hacksawed one fixed link off the cheap one. No branding/logo, but everything else looked like the original.
The tricky bit with bracelets is getting the correct end links that follow the contours of the case lugs.
For leather straps, Cousins also sell butterfly and deployant clasps for a few quid. Simply swap out the buckle that comes with the strap for the new clasp.
If using a cheap strap bothers you, you can experiment with an assortment of cheapies, then spend £50 on a quality aftermarket strap of the same colour and style.
I would certainly be looking at third party straps - the official ones are very expensive.
Have a look at this web site - I have bought several from them and if you email them, they will give you suggestions as to what May suit your watch.
https://www.watchobsession.co.uk/
Plenty of choice and some designed for Breitling
ETA - have a look at getting a deployment clasp and strap which you can adjust. However, I have heard that the the Breitling style ones can be a bit uncomfortable
Have a look at this web site - I have bought several from them and if you email them, they will give you suggestions as to what May suit your watch.
https://www.watchobsession.co.uk/
Plenty of choice and some designed for Breitling
ETA - have a look at getting a deployment clasp and strap which you can adjust. However, I have heard that the the Breitling style ones can be a bit uncomfortable
As others have said, I'd buy a nice-looking decent quality (but cheaper than OEM) strap. Save the original from wear and tear and it helps if you ever decide to sell the watch down the line. It's an opportunity to change the look of the watch. I'm constantly changing straps. Switched a leather out for a suede one on my newest watch today, bracelet to leather then back to bracelet, etc. I get bored easily!
Thanks all. Good suggestions... not something I've played around with before, but certainly worth looking into. Cheap enough that it doesn't really matter if it doesn't work out, and I like the idea of keeping the original mint come selling time.
I remember seeing this person who had put an Alcantara strap on his Solargraphs which I think looks excellent...
I remember seeing this person who had put an Alcantara strap on his Solargraphs which I think looks excellent...
I'm back here again... keep forcing myself to believe that the standard holes are going to be comfortable enough, but they just aren't working for me!
I've been looking at so many options, new ones including:
Stretching/shrinking the standard leather
New shorter or longer buckle
Install a different, adjustable, clasp
I've even been looking at knock off bracelets on Etsy which are cheap enough but don't quite look right
Spent a bit more time on the Cousins website mentioned above. Are they seriously this cheap, or am I missing something
£4ish!?
https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/mirror-satin-wit...
https://www.cousinsuk.com/category/alligator-croco...
The Strap Tailor looks beautiful but price wise they're only a smidge under the official Breitling pieces.
With Watch Obsession, can you swap over the buckle and clasp from my strap to this!? https://www.watchobsession.co.uk/products/rios1931...
On the Breitling website, there's this one which doesn't have any holes. Is that just for illustration purposes, or is it because this can use a slider for infinite different positions? Definite lack of info on this one... https://www.breitling.com/gb-en/straps/leather/429...
I've been looking at so many options, new ones including:
Stretching/shrinking the standard leather
New shorter or longer buckle
Install a different, adjustable, clasp
I've even been looking at knock off bracelets on Etsy which are cheap enough but don't quite look right
Spent a bit more time on the Cousins website mentioned above. Are they seriously this cheap, or am I missing something
£4ish!?
https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/mirror-satin-wit...
https://www.cousinsuk.com/category/alligator-croco...
The Strap Tailor looks beautiful but price wise they're only a smidge under the official Breitling pieces.
With Watch Obsession, can you swap over the buckle and clasp from my strap to this!? https://www.watchobsession.co.uk/products/rios1931...
On the Breitling website, there's this one which doesn't have any holes. Is that just for illustration purposes, or is it because this can use a slider for infinite different positions? Definite lack of info on this one... https://www.breitling.com/gb-en/straps/leather/429...
CrippsCorner said:
I'm back here again... keep forcing myself to believe that the standard holes are going to be comfortable enough, but they just aren't working for me!
I've been looking at so many options, new ones including:
Stretching/shrinking the standard leather
New shorter or longer buckle
Install a different, adjustable, clasp
I've even been looking at knock off bracelets on Etsy which are cheap enough but don't quite look right
Spent a bit more time on the Cousins website mentioned above. Are they seriously this cheap, or am I missing something
£4ish!?
https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/mirror-satin-wit...
https://www.cousinsuk.com/category/alligator-croco...
The Strap Tailor looks beautiful but price wise they're only a smidge under the official Breitling pieces.
With Watch Obsession, can you swap over the buckle and clasp from my strap to this!? https://www.watchobsession.co.uk/products/rios1931...
On the Breitling website, there's this one which doesn't have any holes. Is that just for illustration purposes, or is it because this can use a slider for infinite different positions? Definite lack of info on this one... https://www.breitling.com/gb-en/straps/leather/429...
Nothing wrong with the quality of straps and bracelets from Cousins. Trade prices, so a lot cheaper than your local jeweller. A £4 bracelet from Cousins is obviously not going to be high-end Swiss quality though, more like budget Seiko.I've been looking at so many options, new ones including:
Stretching/shrinking the standard leather
New shorter or longer buckle
Install a different, adjustable, clasp
I've even been looking at knock off bracelets on Etsy which are cheap enough but don't quite look right
Spent a bit more time on the Cousins website mentioned above. Are they seriously this cheap, or am I missing something
£4ish!?
https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/mirror-satin-wit...
https://www.cousinsuk.com/category/alligator-croco...
The Strap Tailor looks beautiful but price wise they're only a smidge under the official Breitling pieces.
With Watch Obsession, can you swap over the buckle and clasp from my strap to this!? https://www.watchobsession.co.uk/products/rios1931...
On the Breitling website, there's this one which doesn't have any holes. Is that just for illustration purposes, or is it because this can use a slider for infinite different positions? Definite lack of info on this one... https://www.breitling.com/gb-en/straps/leather/429...
They won't really work on a chunky dive watch, as they don't have shaped end links. More suited to a "dress" watch.
Their cheap leather straps are fine, but the buckles can be a bit poor. Their stainless butterfly/deployant clasps are very good.
CrippsCorner said:
I'm back here again... keep forcing myself to believe that the standard holes are going to be comfortable enough, but they just aren't working for me!
I've been looking at so many options, new ones including:
Stretching/shrinking the standard leather
New shorter or longer buckle
Install a different, adjustable, clasp
I've even been looking at knock off bracelets on Etsy which are cheap enough but don't quite look right
Spent a bit more time on the Cousins website mentioned above. Are they seriously this cheap, or am I missing something
£4ish!?
https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/mirror-satin-wit...
https://www.cousinsuk.com/category/alligator-croco...
The Strap Tailor looks beautiful but price wise they're only a smidge under the official Breitling pieces.
With Watch Obsession, can you swap over the buckle and clasp from my strap to this!? https://www.watchobsession.co.uk/products/rios1931...
On the Breitling website, there's this one which doesn't have any holes. Is that just for illustration purposes, or is it because this can use a slider for infinite different positions? Definite lack of info on this one... https://www.breitling.com/gb-en/straps/leather/429...
What you may need is a deployment clasp without holes - I think watch obsession May do them and Breitling style straps as well. Also try Watch Strap World - I have had Tag type straps and clasps from then and no issues.I've been looking at so many options, new ones including:
Stretching/shrinking the standard leather
New shorter or longer buckle
Install a different, adjustable, clasp
I've even been looking at knock off bracelets on Etsy which are cheap enough but don't quite look right
Spent a bit more time on the Cousins website mentioned above. Are they seriously this cheap, or am I missing something
£4ish!?
https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/mirror-satin-wit...
https://www.cousinsuk.com/category/alligator-croco...
The Strap Tailor looks beautiful but price wise they're only a smidge under the official Breitling pieces.
With Watch Obsession, can you swap over the buckle and clasp from my strap to this!? https://www.watchobsession.co.uk/products/rios1931...
On the Breitling website, there's this one which doesn't have any holes. Is that just for illustration purposes, or is it because this can use a slider for infinite different positions? Definite lack of info on this one... https://www.breitling.com/gb-en/straps/leather/429...
https://www.watchobsession.co.uk/products/breitlin...
A leather strap for a fiver is not going to compare to the one you have now.
You’ve paid for the Breitling strap so I’d want to wear it. Fitting a deployant clasp might be an option and will minimise wear and it might give you a better fit.
Personally, I’d not worry about making an extra hole if it creates the perfect fit. Doing it is no different to on any other strap with a decent punch.
You may even be able to buy half of the strap in a different length for a better fit. But that will be pricey.
I’d head into an AD to see what options are available.
You’ve paid for the Breitling strap so I’d want to wear it. Fitting a deployant clasp might be an option and will minimise wear and it might give you a better fit.
Personally, I’d not worry about making an extra hole if it creates the perfect fit. Doing it is no different to on any other strap with a decent punch.
You may even be able to buy half of the strap in a different length for a better fit. But that will be pricey.
I’d head into an AD to see what options are available.
The only thing with the punch is the holes on the OEM strap are very close together, I'm worried it'll rip or tear. Maybe I should also go and speak to a 3rd party watch repair shop.
My strap is already installed with a deployment clasp, but it still obviously sets itself to whatever holes are there. Must admit the Watch Obsession ones do look good in the customer photos:
My strap is already installed with a deployment clasp, but it still obviously sets itself to whatever holes are there. Must admit the Watch Obsession ones do look good in the customer photos:
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