When I first started to get serious about buying my Beitling I was very torn between the bracelet and a few different straps. The bracelet seems so timeless but a bit common (to all watches) lots of stainless. Then it dawned on me you could change things up...not shocking news to any of you I am sure...but it was a revelation to me.
No more decisions; get the watch with the bracelet and straps later. Sticker shock ensued. The 160-ish seemed a bit steep for a small hunk of leather, not to mention 300+ for croco AND I still need a clasp; darn that deployant is pretty darn cool. 
I checked ebay and see Breitling deployment style straps for roughly $20. I stayed away figuring if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. I bit the bullet and got Breitling gold calf strap, folding clasp and pro diver II. I really liked the idea of a brown croco, but that price tag still stung with the recent purchase of watch and another 6-7 hundred for the calf, clasp and diver. The lure of a cheap strap had me still wondering. I figured for a few bucks I would give it a go and toss it if it seemed like crap when it arrived. Since I was already buying I might as well save on shipping and buy two. I went with blue shark as I knew there was no way I would ever buy a blue calf Breitling strap because the price to times worn would make it very expensive per use.
Well my two cheap straps arrived and I must say they were better than I had expected. Not up to Breitling snuff by any stretch, but if you want to see if you like a particular style/color I think they are a great bargain. The stitching is smaller and not quite as white. It is also just a bit tilted. The padded part near the lugs is not a thick either. I am sure anyone who has spent any time with genuine Breitling straps could tell the differences pretty quickly. Mind you I am not trying to pass the ebay straps off as Breitling, just saying there are differences...but they are by no means an order of magnitude different ($20 vs. 160 or even $400). If you are on the fence, I would not hesitate to get a bargain strap or two. Especially if it was a color you don't see yourself wearing much. Pix below to compare.
Here are my two Breitling straps (Gold/Black) and two non-Breitlings (croco/blue) Thickness of thread used for stitching is probably the most obvious difference.
Another from a different angle
Blue shark on the SF...what do you think? I am not loving the look right off the bat. Maybe it will grow on me.
Off the wrist
Better view of the strap
Just kiddin! 
