Poor man's watch thread

[Michigan Planner]

^ I really like that Oris. There are a few iterations of the Aquis and the Divers Sixty-Five that have been on my mind a lot lately, particularly the Sixty-Five from 2015 with the painted squares around the 3-6-9-12 indices. They've started to come down quite a bit in price recently so maybe I'll finally grab one...

 

[New Shoes1]

^ I really like that Oris. There are a few iterations of the Aquis and the Divers Sixty-Five that have been on my mind a lot lately, particularly the Sixty-Five from 2015 with the painted squares around the 3-6-9-12 indices. They've started to come down quite a bit in price recently so maybe I'll finally grab one...

We have similar tastes. I am going to pick up that exact Oris Divers 65 this Fall. I love how it looks on that rubber strap.

 

[troika]

✌

 

[Lumaca]

Finally, outdoors shot. I need 19mm straps...

 

[RogerP]

Finally, outdoors shot. I need 19mm straps...

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Absolutely gorgeous!

 

[Genericuser1]

✌

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I have one of those on the way, looking good.

 

[Jazzmenco]

Still on holiday in Europe, be home soon

 

[johnnymiz]

ZULU straps (3-ring) have 1 single nylon strap, which threads above the spring bars (between the spring bars and the case back). These are the simplest, thinnest configuration, but the least secure.

NATO straps have a 2nd (attached, but shorter) strap piece; this 2nd piece threads below the spring bars, and so offers much more security.

ZULU straps (5-ring) are configured just like NATO straps, but are typically made of a slightly thicker nylon. Sometimes NATO and ZULU hardware differ slightly in terms of shape, etc.

Then there are 2-piece NATO/ZULUs, which are like any other standard 2-piece leather, etc., strap, and offer none of the original NATO/ZULU security.

I beg to differ. 5 ring are no more secure than 3 ring one piece straps. The extra bit of material under the watch does not offer any more security. The only way for either to fail is if BOTH springbars pop or the buckle fails. What the 3 ring does offer is a flatter profile and less extra material to tuck.

 

[venessian]

I beg to differ. 5 ring are no more secure than 3 ring one piece straps. The extra bit of material under the watch does not offer any more security. The only way for either to fail is if BOTH springbars pop or the buckle fails. What the 3 ring does offer is a flatter profile and less extra material to tuck.

No, sorry: Since the 5-ring strap provides that additional layer also under the springbars, it is inherently more secure than 3-rings, as the springbars are further protected from being grabbed/twisted/snapped out.

It's not worth debating how much more secure 5-ring are than 3-ring, but they are in fact more secure.

 

[mosy]

Looking for a replacement strap for my cocktail time (Presage version). Leaning towards a navy alligator strap (I know - a bit high-end for such a low-end watch.). Not sure if I should go with a matt finish (like the Hirsch pictured below) or a shiny one (like the Hodinkee one). Taking all opinions.

 

[venessian]

1. Hirsch are really good straps for the money. Is the Hirsch in your photo the "Duke"? If so, I have that exact strap in (embossed) alligator; navy blue; think it is a good strap; and will vouch for it.

2. Please avoid "shiny" straps; the finish is not natural, but rather the result of some kind of coating, and imo look really terrible because the scale is so weird. They really do look fake irl.

3. To my eye, that Hodinkee looks cheap, somehow, but probably costs more than the Hirsch.

 

[Riva]

Looking for a replacement strap for my cocktail time (Presage version). Leaning towards a navy alligator strap (I know - a bit high-end for such a low-end watch.). Not sure if I should go with a matt finish (like the Hirsch pictured below) or a shiny one (like the Hodinkee one). Taking all opinions.

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Matte always. Hell I'd even go with suede.

 

[mosy]

1. Hirsch are really good straps for the money. Is the Hirsch in your photo the "Duke"? If so, I have that exact strap in (embossed) alligator; navy blue; think it is a good strap; and will vouch for it.

2. Please avoid "shiny" straps; the finish is not natural, but rather the result of some kind of coating, and imo look really terrible because the scale is so weird. They really do look fake irl.

3. To my eye, that Hodinkee looks cheap, somehow, but probably costs more than the Hirsch.

Thanks. Actually that's a Hirsch London (which is actual alligator), but I very well may go for the Duke, which seems to look very similar and is about 1/5 the price. Knowing you own it and like it helps - thanks.

 

[mosy]

Matte always. Hell I'd even go with suede.

Thanks.

 

[venessian]

Thanks. Actually that's a Hirsch London (which is actual alligator), but I very well may go for the Duke, which seems to look very similar and is about 1/5 the price. Knowing you own it and like it helps - thanks.

You're welcome.

But wait: if you can afford the "London" there is of course a difference. The "Duke" (embossed alligator) is very well made, but clearly doesn't feel as real as a genuine alligator strap. I can feel that it is not a real skin, and I'm completely OK with that. Also (up very close, though) it clearly is not a real skin; obviously there just is no way to produce an embossed skin with the exact feel and detail of real scales. One has to really touch and look extremely closely to notice that though; it is an excellent approximation from normal viewing distance, and a very good value.

Some don't buy alligator/croco for very valid ethical reasons; some for budget reasons; some for both.

The "Duke" is quite nice for embossed; the "London" is on a different level. At 5x the price though that is a debate you will have to resolve for yourself.

One other source for genuine alligator, also very nice quality but lower price than the top Hirsch, Di-Modell, etc. models, is Rios1931, like the "Imperial" or similar (the "Spitfire" is nice too, ostensibly made for IWC but sold to everyone, thinner at the lug than the "Imperial"; +/- 4mm v 6mm). Rios1931's genuine skin straps are excellent quality and well priced.

Another good strap, much lower cost than the Hirsch "London", very well made also, on the Rios cost/quality level, is the Di-Modell "Croco Bentley." I find the the Di-Modell "Aero" perforated backs very comfortable, as I live in a hot climate and sweat easily.

All these straps are produced in navy blue. I spent way too much time researching these, for my Stowa MO. Just some other suggestions. Good luck.