• Hi, I am the owner and main administrator of Styleforum. If you find the forum useful and fun, please help support it by buying through the posted links on the forum. Our main, very popular sales thread, where the latest and best sales are listed, are posted HERE

    Purchases made through some of our links earns a commission for the forum and allows us to do the work of maintaining and improving it. Finally, thanks for being a part of this community. We realize that there are many choices today on the internet, and we have all of you to thank for making Styleforum the foremost destination for discussions of menswear.
  • This site contains affiliate links for which Styleforum may be compensated.
  • STYLE. COMMUNITY. GREAT CLOTHING.

    Bored of counting likes on social networks? At Styleforum, you’ll find rousing discussions that go beyond strings of emojis.

    Click Here to join Styleforum's thousands of style enthusiasts today!

    Styleforum is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Genuine alligator strap for watch

johnnynorman3

Distinguished Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2004
Messages
2,702
Reaction score
25
The time has come to change the strap on my favorite watch. There is currently a black leather croco-grain leather strap on it (this is the strap that the store had put on it). I'm going to go with a dark brown strap on it this time. I can get either a plain calf or a croco-grain calf strap for about $25. I can get a genuin alligator skin strap for $75. What are the benefits to spending this extra $50?
 

Murrah

Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2005
Messages
16
Reaction score
0
I would spend the extra money (heck, it's not my money). I've found that the croc-grain calf bands are stiff and the real croc has much more flexibility...wears easier.
 

oscarthewild

Distinguished Member
Joined
May 6, 2004
Messages
2,396
Reaction score
58
The time has come to change the strap on my favorite watch. Â There is currently a black leather croco-grain leather strap on it (this is the strap that the store had put on it). Â I'm going to go with a dark brown strap on it this time. Â I can get either a plain calf or a croco-grain calf strap for about $25. Â I can get a genuin alligator skin strap for $75. Â What are the benefits to spending this extra $50?
JN3, I feel good that I may be helpful to you. You have answered many queries of mine. Take a look at http://www.watchbandsbyfox.com/ for straps. Pretty good prices and colours. -
 

ATM

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2005
Messages
420
Reaction score
0
I think the real thing looks better. Plus, it's real.

I wouldn't get a calf with the croco pattern. It's as if it's trying to be something it's not.
 

norcaltransplant

Distinguished Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2003
Messages
2,522
Reaction score
163
JN3- What type of watch are you adding a strap? If it's a dress watch of decent quality, I would opt for croc over croco-calf--the same rule for shoes applies to straps. Browns, especially lighter honey-colored straps, really demonstrate the difference between croc and embossed calf. Even matte blacks, which I added to my own sport watch, look noticeable different with the real thing. That being said, there are a few convincing croco-calf straps on the market, but those will run around $30-40 even at discount. My advice would be to buy a plain brown, oiled calfskin strap and use the savings to add a S/S deployant if you don't already have one. Way more comfortable than a stock buckle, and you're virtually guaranteed not to drop your timepiece.
 

johnnynorman3

Distinguished Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2004
Messages
2,702
Reaction score
25
It's a 1952 Omega. Not sure of the style name. Plain, stainless steel case, with a champagne, plain face. It's a versatile watch, albeit definitely not a sport watch. Very plain and understated.

It has the original buckle, so I don't want to go with a S/S deployant clasp -- and I actually find the regular buckle more comfortable than a deployant. I'll look into the regular oiled calf as well.
 

countdemoney

Distinguished Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2005
Messages
3,826
Reaction score
61
JN3,

Sounds like a great classic watch.

I agree with ATM, go with the real thing, calf or croc.

Fake croc is . . . fake.

I'm a big fan of the plain calf, and think it has a very nice look. If I saw it on someone, I'd view them as being sensible about their watch strap purchase. After all, the strap is gonna go out in 6 months to a year, so why drop the extra money?

If I saw the real croc, I'd be impressed with the persons taste and dedication to their watch.

Of course, if you get the illness, you can buy an inexpensive tool and switch your straps on your own - putting the real croc on for events, and the calf for daily wear.
 

ernest

Distinguished Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2004
Messages
2,551
Reaction score
2
The time has come to change the strap on my favorite watch.  There is currently a black leather croco-grain leather strap on it (this is the strap that the store had put on it).  I'm going to go with a dark brown strap on it this time.  I can get either a plain calf or a croco-grain calf strap for about $25.  I can get a genuin alligator skin strap for $75.  What are the benefits to spending this extra $50?
The benefit = having a croco strap.

Generally last longer and looks better.

But a $ 75 croco is not a good strap.

The average price for a nice strap is around $150.
 

Horace

Distinguished Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2004
Messages
1,437
Reaction score
1
(johnnynorman3 @ June 08 2005,16:24) The time has come to change the strap on my favorite watch. Â There is currently a black leather croco-grain leather strap on it (this is the strap that the store had put on it). Â I'm going to go with a dark brown strap on it this time. Â I can get either a plain calf or a croco-grain calf strap for about $25. Â I can get a genuin alligator skin strap for $75. Â What are the benefits to spending this extra $50?
The benefit = having a croco strap. Generally last longer and looks better. But a $ 75 croco is not a good strap. The average price for a nice strap is around $150.
What sort of people do you reckon buy croco? (I feel a haiku coming on....)
 

Featured Sponsor

How important is full vs half canvas to you for heavier sport jackets?

  • Definitely full canvas only

    Votes: 91 37.8%
  • Half canvas is fine

    Votes: 89 36.9%
  • Really don't care

    Votes: 25 10.4%
  • Depends on fabric

    Votes: 40 16.6%
  • Depends on price

    Votes: 38 15.8%

Forum statistics

Threads
506,802
Messages
10,592,034
Members
224,315
Latest member
premikayadav
Top