The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I have the OEM Breitling deployant and both of my OEM straps slip out a little bit (about one stitch length) and loosen while wearing. While its not a pain to adjust, it is annoying that it doesn't do its job. Does anyone have any tips on how to keep the leather from slipping?
I have been wearing it for about a year and the leather is pretty soft, so this might be part of the cause.

I have the same issue with the croc. Any help would be nice!

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sco
Breitling Chrono Superocean
Omega Aqua Terra 8500
Rolex Submariner Date Ceramic

If the leather is worn from the use it might be time to get a replacement.

I've read here that 1 year or so is about right for leather strap - maybe a bit longer on deployant but it's not out of the question that it might be time to replace the thing.

You *could* also bend the retainer part inward. If you remove the leather and press down on the part that retains the strap you might be able to squeeze it a tiny bit inward. This might prove to be a pain when you go to put a new strap in though.

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

crazy glue

I guess i won't get the new black calf with deployant I wanted. Everyone says the deployant extends the life of a strap, but 1 year does not seem like a long life for such an expensive strap.

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Regards,

Peter

BREITLING for Bentley Motors T & Mark VI, Aerospace
ROLEX Submariner Ceramic116610LN
OMEGA Plantet Ocean 8500 42mm Orange arabics
OCEAN7 LM-3

I wouldn't take my "1 year" as law. Too many things influence how long a strap will last. I've had mone for 9 months with pretty frequent use and I don't see any of this slippage. I think it's best to view straps as semi-disposable. They aren't going to last forever.

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

I alternate between three straps over 3 years and they are all in great shape so far. I wouldn't even think about replacing them. I have the croc too and its fine.

As to superglueing - not going to happen, because I change straps.
There has to be some kind of a pin or something I can put into the strap to lock it in place? something that will sit flush?

Maybe I can take one of those flat metal thumb tacks and clip off half of the post? Stick it into the leather behind the thing that holds the buckle in place. I don't know if this would stay in though-it would be better to have some kind of small rivet that screws into an anchor on the other side.

Surely someone has tried something crazy like this?

If your clasp is still good, you can get the calfskin cheap enough!

Failing that, you could use something to shim behind the clasp. I would take a sharp exacto knife and cut a small thin piece out of a soda can, then drag the end of the knife across it to make is flat and smooth. I've done this on a $150,000 camera. It works.

This is what I'd personally do as the reason it's slipping is simply due to a lack of friction. You could possibly consider bending the "loop" part out slightly as well as that would increase the bend in the leather and (hopefully) give more friction.

HOWEVER, if you do decide to try any of this, please go very careful and protect the clasp from scratches. Also, go very VERY easy with the amount of bending you do!

Oh and I accept absolutely no responsibilty at all if it all goes horribly wrong! Anything you try, you do at entirely your own risk. (Just thought I'd better put a disclaimer there! )

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I think I'll just tighten mine every now and then... thanks for the help!

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sco
Breitling Chrono Superocean
Omega Aqua Terra 8500
Rolex Submariner Date Ceramic

I'll be trying something soon. Will follow up with photos

I know there is quite a bit of cost difference, but if you wear your timepiece daily you may want to consider picking up a bracelet and saving your exotic skin for special occasions. I appreciate the beauty of croc skin and leather, but I would not enjoy replacing either of them with new straps with the possibility of me having to do it multiple times over the years.


~Brian

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Breitling Super Avenger
Fortis Flieger Chronograph
Rolex Submariner Date

I have been contemplating the Pro II bracelet since I got my CSO, but I really do love the croc. I'm sure it will look nice on the steel, and will probably handle the snowy winter ahead of me better than the strap. I'm just not sold on the $500.00 purchase... yet

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sco
Breitling Chrono Superocean
Omega Aqua Terra 8500
Rolex Submariner Date Ceramic

I'll probably change up my new black croco deployment. I've only had it for about a month... I really need to buy a set of spring-pins (sp?) for without tweaking the stock pins for my bracelet.

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Montbrillant Datora

I have had the same deploy strap on the BB in winter now for 4 years it is solid as a rock and mellowing with age. You just need to adjust the clasp as suggested.

Blatant shot of BB/BB+ (BB+ Deploy custom made for this Summers use) to illustrate.....

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Al

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"