DavidLane
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2012
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- 1,654
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I hand make watch straps and I can tell you there is a reason leather workers will specialize in them. They are a pain in the ass to make, and need to be correct across several points in their construction. Every little element is important. One bit off and they just don't work, in particular when making them for deployant clasps.I think OEM straps are the biggest ripoff in the watch game. What's Omega selling those for? $500? Why pay OEM markups when you can get excellent straps for (a still absurd) $200 all over the place?
Edit to add: I have a nice shell cordovan watch strap that I got from Hodinkee for ~$200 a few years ago. But think about the amount of leather and craftsmanship required to make a watch strap, compared to a pair of shoes. Every time I wonder why a pair of Aldens cost $700 I look down at my wrist and stop wondering.
I agree on the OEM pricing, but if a customer wants an Omega Strap on their Omega watch, Omega is in a position to capitalize on it and has responded accordingly.
-DL