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Lifespan of Breitling leather strap?
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Author:  MoreCowbell [ Sun Jan 06, 2008 5:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Lifespan of Breitling leather strap?
How long can I expect a Breitling leather strap to last? Does the deployment clasp extend the life as opposed to a buckle, or does that not matter? Does croco last any longer than calf-skin? What have your experiences been so far?
Author:  Driver8 [ Mon Jan 07, 2008 1:27 am ]
Post subject: 
The life of a leather strap is pretty much entirely dependent on how and where you wear it. For example, if you regularly get it wet then it's life will be drastically reduced. Also, things like aftershaves, perfume, hand creams, etc, etc can all reduce the life of a strap. It also helps if you don't wear a leather strap every single day as it benefits from from some "rest time".

A deployant clasp extends the life of a strap quite considerably as there is no tension or excessive bending applied to the strap when putting the watch on, or taking it off.

A croco strap is no more or less hardy than leather - you basically pay for the richness of the look and the fact that croc skin is more expensive than cow!

I don't have exact info on how long a strap will last, but I would guess that if you observe the above ways of wearing it, then I'd expect a strap to last at least 5 or 6 years, and maybe a lot more with a bit of care.
Author:  aleister [ Mon Jan 07, 2008 1:56 am ]
Post subject: 
Couldn't agree more with Driver. I've bought watches on a leather strap, 3 years old, and the strap have been so abused it had to come off right away. Also, I have watches that's 30-40 years old on their original leather strap and they still look very beautiful.

Any clasp on the leather strap can (and should) be moved on to the next strap. Keeps a bit of the original parts and there's no reason to pay for an original clasp several times.
Author:  sportback [ Mon Jan 07, 2008 2:22 am ]
Post subject: 
My first Breitling was on a croco strap with conventional buckle. After about 2 months daily wear the thong (bit with the holes in) started to crack at the point where it flexes the most, which I thought was a bit rich for an expensive strap. I wrote to Breitling in Switzerland and they agreed to exchange the strap.

Image
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The exchange was done by my local dealer, and I decided to move to a deployant strap - this was a breakthrough, as it's more comfortable (for me) and much easier to put on and get off - in addition, as Driver8 explained, there is virtually no stress on the leather. Be careful of prolonged immersion in water - an occaisional splash shouldn't do too much harm!

Image
Author:  Driver8 [ Mon Jan 07, 2008 4:53 am ]
Post subject: 
Yeah, conventional buckles are quite tough on the leather. When I bought my World it was on a standard leather strap in the shop and you coule already see a mark developing where it had been put through the buckle a couple of times. Hence I went for a croco on deployant.... which still looks as fresh now as it did when I bought it a year or two back.
Author:  Jim [ Mon Jan 07, 2008 5:23 am ]
Post subject: 
Whilst on the subject of straps, is there any tool you can buy to remove bracelets/straps so i dont have to take a trip to the jewellers each time?

Cheers,
Jim
Author:  Driver8 [ Mon Jan 07, 2008 5:29 am ]
Post subject: 
Yes - it's called a Spring Bar Removal Tool. Have a search on eBay and you'll find a few for sale.
Author:  Jim [ Mon Jan 07, 2008 5:34 am ]
Post subject: 
Happy days, cheers Driver8.
Author:  sportback [ Mon Jan 07, 2008 5:39 am ]
Post subject: 
My AD uses a pocket knife...

(For Panerai you simply unscrew the bar...damn Italians have really thought this one out!)
Author:  MoreCowbell [ Mon Jan 07, 2008 6:09 am ]
Post subject: 
This is great info. It really helps with the decision of whether to go with the OEM strap. Thanks very much.
Author:  acceldebt [ Mon Jan 07, 2008 6:33 am ]
Post subject: 
Another Example Of Degradation,

All you have to do is read these posts to realize once again that STRAPS SUCK ! This conversation is not even applicable to bracelets which ALL LINGS belong on !

Remember :

THOU SHALT NOT DEGRADE THY LING WITH A STRAP
Author:  sportback [ Mon Jan 07, 2008 6:39 am ]
Post subject: 
Ah - thought you'd got lost... :wink:
Author:  acceldebt [ Mon Jan 07, 2008 6:48 am ]
Post subject: 
Sportback,

I'm not lost I was just sitting back giving you guys some rope.
Author:  aleister [ Mon Jan 07, 2008 6:49 am ]
Post subject: 
But how do you do when removing a strap? Removing a bracelet is fairly easy, but all my straps are very tight between the lugs. No room to slide it back and forth to push any springs... And still, I don't want to destroy the strap. Is there any guide/pics on the net?
Author:  sportback [ Mon Jan 07, 2008 6:52 am ]
Post subject: 
It's simple - you run a knife blade along the metal lug then when you feel the spring bar, turn the blade slightly towards the leather and it releases one end of the spring bar - repeat for the other end and it slides out very easily.
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