The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I've never owned a Breitling rubber strap of any kind, so I was just wondering what those of you who own them think of them in terms of life expectancy. I'm talking about the OR and DPII - ie those on deployants so wear and tear from using a tang and buckle isn't a consideration. I'm assuming regular desk diving wear here - ie no swimming in the sea or chlorinated pools, plus a regular wash as you would with a steel bracelet. Any ideas how long they'd likely last before needing to be replaced?

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

Driver8,
I have been wearing an OR on my daily worn Steelfish for a few years and its held up great. One side has a little notch from sliding it across something, but other than that.... a good scubbing with the soap and toothbrush and she looks great again. I will also apply a little baby oil to bring back the color and moisten the rubber. This isn't done at every wash but just once in a while. It really makes it look like new.

My only dislike is the slanted groves in the back of the strap. They are dirt and yuck collectors and are somewhat difficult to clean while attached to the watch.

_________________
Breitling Steelfish(black)
Breitling Steelfish(silver)
Panerai PAM 312
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Phantom
Steinhart BreitlingSource LE #5/15

Desk diving swirls aside mine still looks like new, despite being in the sea/ pools reasonably regularly. (owned for 11 months now)

_________________
Breitling navitimer super constellation LE
Omega Ploprof 1200m
Bremont supermarine
Rolex milgauss GV
Olivant and Botsford 40mm Gold edition

I had the ocean racer strap on my 2008 Superocean Heritage ,and that strap looked brand new when I sold the watch. I have a feeling the Rubber strap will last at least 10 years. DEPENDS on if you dive with it or are rough on watches. Im just a normal desk diver .

_________________
One Watch At A Time.

My DPII/deploy seems like it will last forever. My older DP1/tang was good too, but I can imagine that the tang contact points would wear out eventually since its such a tight fit.

_________________
-RJ

My wife has had an OR on her SOH38 since it came out and it's holding up real well, worn maybe 3 or 4 days per week. She had a problem with the springbar breaking through the strap on one side, but that was because the AD cut it too close to the hole rather than a problem with the strap.

Thanks for the info guys.

I always assumed they'd be quiet long-lived with a little care, but it's good to hear first hand experiences. Leather straps last a good few years or so with a little care, so I wouldn't be surprised if an OR lasted 10 years if it's regularly cleaned. I like the oiling idea too Bronco.

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator