The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I was at our local AD two weeks ago. He mentioned that Canada might ban Croc straps as they are an endangered species.

Last week I was an reptile zoo in Niagara Falls and asked the zoo keeper about it. He said that there are over 200 species of crocodiles in the world. Some are endangered, most are not, and some are even deemed pests in some parts of the world and kill tags issued to control the population. He said it would impossible to tell what species of croc an watch band would come from. On the Aligator side of the world there are only two species and neither is endangered.

So the question is, does anyone know what kind of crocodile makes the best bands and make Breitling's bands?
And, why do we use croc's instead of aligator?

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Breitling Colt
Breitling Skyland

Haven't heard anything about a ban, and I suspect that it would be partial (i.e. hides of some species and come kind of paperwork for straps - Canada is generally pretty reasonable about these things). Choice of croc vs. alligator is choice - there are alligator straps available from some manufacturers.

Intersting...If anyone hears anythign more keep us informed!

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SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle

Aren't these crocs "farm-raised" and pampered?? Wouldn't that make a difference?

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SHARKMAN

Generally they'll be farm raised because they can control hide quality better - although that's less of an issue with tougher leathers.

I'm no expert on the Canadian regulations but it's generally species based I believe rather than specific sourced (farm / wild).

The international organisation, which Canada is part of, is called CITES. They do control endangered species and stuff that are derived/made from them.

Normally, companies can do COMMERCIAL IMPORTATIONS (to be clear and not mistaken with personal importation from a traveler) as long as they comply with CITES rules. Normally an importation permit from the country where you import it (let's say Canada or USA) and an exportation permit from the country where you import it from. That said i guess not all crocodiles are endangered as you mentioned.

For personal importations, everything can pass under the "traveler's souvenir" exemption. Under that you could import, for example, a bracelet made of ivory, even though ivory is banned from international trade under CITES.

Hope that explains a bit.

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Mat

Breitling Navitimer 01
Omega Seamaster 300mc
Omega Speedmaster Pro "Mitsukoshi Mod"
Seiko Prospek Orange Samurai

Oh great! There goes my dream of the 2011 Superocean 3 with Ivory bezel insert.

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SHARKMAN