Best non-metal band?

jeffk30 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 10, 2011 6:21 pm

I am looking to possibly purchase a new Galactic 41 (Doesn't seem to be as popular as other models, but I really like how it looks with a black face and black band....and maybe even two-tone). Can anyone comment on the pros and cons of leather vs lizard vs croco bands? Do some hold up longer or or some more comfortable, or is it all about the look and feel?

Yes, I'm new....lots of questions. Thanks.

Jdr18017 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 10, 2011 7:45 pm

I would say it's primarily aesthetics. I have had shark, leather and real aligator (although most are just croc patterned leather). All wear pretty much the same. A deployant clasp can make the biggest impact on longevity IMHO. Get the one you like!

jeffk30 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 10, 2011 8:41 pm

Thanks. I think I like the plain leather best actually. I read somewhere that the lizard is more tolerant of water, but I wasn't so sure about that.

sharkman · **Posted:** Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:53 pm

Funny, I thought this was a thread on rock bands of the on-metal variety - seriously. :oops:

As far as Breitlings go, their croco straps are superior to any I've seen. But consider the cost which is now about $600 US. (one of my favorite online clothiers just had a 75% off sale on outerwear and I picked up three beautiful leather jackets - a brown and a black lambskin and an antiqued bomber - for the cost of ONE Breitling croco.

The calf straps are very nice as well and priced at about $200 US.

Not a fan of the Breitling lizard straps - super high gloss. I've just never taken to shiney straps.

Overall Breitling is known for superior and consistently well done straps.

There are also some good after-market manufacturers who will make an alligator or croco strap look like a Breitling strap (or anything else for that matter) and to your specifications. I'm currently waiting on a gray alligator from Jeanna at Stonecreepstraps. About $200-$220.

jeffk30 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 10, 2011 10:11 pm

Thanks. This is all new to me. If I buy my own strap, can I change it myself without special tools or without destroying anything?

sharkman · **Posted:** Sat Dec 10, 2011 10:16 pm

jeffk30 wrote:

Thanks. This is all new to me. If I buy my own strap, can I change it myself without special tools or without destroying anything?

Yes it's quite easy. The forum preferred tool is a Bergeon 6767F spring bar tool. mywatchmaker.net has them in the US and you can get them at another place outdie the US. I forget the name, but Roff knows.

If all you are doing is changing out straps and not a bracelet, any old springbar tool should work ok.

AlexB · **Posted:** Sun Dec 11, 2011 4:32 am

watchtool.co.uk is the UK one which I used to buy the tool.

KMG · **Posted:** Sun Dec 11, 2011 5:03 am

Hi guys,

This is quite an interesting thread and so thanks for that

.

Sharkman, perhaps not now but sometime in the near future I may think about trying my black sunburst dial Airwolf on a black leather strap. The price of a Breitling one is just not worth the sort of wear I would get out of it - are you saying then, that other 'after market' straps can look nice on a 'Ling too? I have seen quite a number of different coloured straps on ebay at a fraction of the price of a Breitling strap.
:lingsrock:

Roffensian · **Posted:** Sun Dec 11, 2011 5:59 am

AlexB wrote:

watchtool.co.uk is the UK one which I used to buy the tool.

That's who I use for small stuff too. Cheaper than buying from a supply house in Toronto :roll:

In terms of strap longevity, the use of deployant over tang is going to prolong life a lot more than selecting one leather over another.

sharkman · **Posted:** Sun Dec 11, 2011 7:17 am

KMG wrote:

Hi guys,

This is quite an interesting thread and so thanks for that

.

Sharkman, perhaps not now but sometime in the near future I may think about trying my black sunburst dial Airwolf on a black leather strap. The price of a Breitling one is just not worth the sort of wear I would get out of it - are you saying then, that other 'after market' straps can look nice on a 'Ling too? I have seen quite a number of different coloured straps on ebay at a fraction of the price of a Breitling strap.
:lingsrock:

Absolutely. So long as they are true after-market and not blatant knock offs (fakes).

F14D_Tomcat · **Posted:** Sun Dec 11, 2011 10:49 am

Roffensian wrote:

AlexB wrote:

watchtool.co.uk is the UK one which I used to buy the tool.

That's who I use for small stuff too. Cheaper than buying from a supply house in Toronto :roll:

In terms of strap longevity, the use of deployant over tang is going to prolong life a lot more than selecting one leather over another.

Not to speak that it is more comfy and much more secure.

Sent from my Galaxy SII using Tapatalk

jeffk30 · **Posted:** Sun Dec 11, 2011 11:01 am

What are good "true after-market" brands?

sharkman · **Posted:** Sun Dec 11, 2011 11:12 am

jeffk30 wrote:

What are good "true after-market" brands?

I'd recommend looking at www.stonecreekstraps.com. Jeanna is a one woman operation, will make to your specifications, is reasonably priced, and several top AD folks here in town wear her straps on their watches.

KMG · **Posted:** Sun Dec 11, 2011 11:30 am

jeffk30 wrote:

What are good "true after-market" brands?

Thanks Jeffk, that's just what I was going to ask

.

sharkman wrote:

I'd recommend looking at http://www.stonecreekstraps.com.

Thanks Sharkman, that looks like a US supplier and they do look like very nice straps. Do they ship to the UK and how do their prices compare to a Breitling strap (I'll narrow it down a bit

) I would be looking at the black calf.
:lingsrock:

Roffensian · **Posted:** Sun Dec 11, 2011 12:20 pm

There are a few threads on different strap makers in the accessory section - viewforum.php?f=29

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