The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I found myself in London today and decided to stop into Harrods to see if they had my new love interest- the PAM 351. Unfortunately, the 351 was nowhere to be found, but I made friends with one of the sales guys and he let me molest some pretty exceptional pieces by Zenith, VC, AP, Breguet, and Panerai. Among all these watches, I noticed that the straps all felt really cheap, aside form the PAMs. I even tried on a £160k Zenith Christophe Colomb, which was a special edition of 1 just for Harrods. The strap on this thing felt like something I'd find on a Swatch. I mean this in the most literal sense. The lack of quality was appalling . . . but that gyroscope-balanced regulator is a sight to behold!

In any case, this all really made me appreciate how amazingly high quality Breitling's straps are. We may complain about the goofy new watches Breitling is coming out with, but I don't ever want to hear any complaints about the straps.

_________________
Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

Nice story and true too!

_________________
Breanach78

A Few Breitlings.

True. Breitling strap are trully the best leather straps.

Agreed. Beyond any doubt.
Best,
Ron

_________________
"The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea"...

Click to view: 500px Photo Gallery "Flow" or... 500px Photo Gallery or... Breitling Pics Slideshow

I just googled that Zenith you mentioned, and it has to be one of the silliest looking watches ive ever seen. Still pretty cool though.

_________________
-RJ

Yeah, let's just say that I'm not surprised it's still sitting in the case. The original version looks much better.

_________________
Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

Absolutely true. Breitling straps are absolutely amongst the very best OEM straps in the world. AP are very good too, but apart from that, I'm struggling to think of any others in the same ball-park.

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

Even the vintage straps were pretty cool like this nos Breitling ostrich I picked up for my 1957 Navitimer.

They do make a very nice strap and you are right that many makers have awful straps...I wonder if that is due to the average weight of Breitlings hence you need a good strap for it to wear well? The Pilot and Pro 2 are among the finest of metal bracelets IMO and I think part of the reason is the weight. Their dive straps are equally as well engineered and the dive strap deployant is simply spectacular. The only thing I wish they would do is offer a butterfly (dual hinged) deployant for leather straps because most aftermarket ones do not fit thicker straps such as those used with Breitlings and their single hinged one is not well suited to some wrists. I would even go as far to say that their OEM straps are equally nice as my customs. It's a pity they don't make shark anymore though given how tough and how unique it is.

The thing I've noticed is that so many brands seem to use straps as little more than a way of keeping the head on your wrist, whereas Breitling straps (especially the croco) actually lift the watch to a whole new level. Breitling straps are probably the only OEM leather straps that I'd ever even consider as a viable alternative to a bracelet.

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

Yeah I have so far had a Rolex, old and new, omega, JLC and AP stainless steel bracelets but the Breitling is probably the best and most sturdy one. I dont have a strap yet but from the photos they look to be of solid quality as well.

_________________
Jaeger Lecoultre Master Eight Days Perpetual 40, Rolex Daytona 116520, Rolex Explorer I 114270 - Calibre 3130, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15300 - Calibre 3120, Zenith Striking 10th - Calibre 4052 B, ​Bremont MBII, Panerai 00390 SE.

No question they are supreme. I'm not as down though on many of the brands mentioned. To me is has always been more of a typically sized strap versus Breitling and their unusually thick and firm straps. Most of the other high end brands use Camille Fournet as their maker and I have quite liked the ones on the IWCs, JLCs, Zeniths and one Breguet I've had. They are thinner and pliable with the idea they do not have to be "broken in" unlike Breitling straps do. Frankly, a Breitling croco would look silly most JLC or the other brands. (They big exception are Panerai alligator straps which are simply cheap pieces of crap).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

_________________
SHARKMAN

I wholeheartedly agree. The quality of Breitling straps is supreme. Just a thick chunk of quality leather (calf obviously), with great stitching and they look and feel great. I've never owned a croc strap but I'm sure it's superb too.

_________________
Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

Could you imagine how silly a Breitling strap would look on, say, a super flat Rolex or JLC? It would overpower the watch to the 90th power. (conversely, I think straps that are only like 2mm thick on most Breitlings look equally as odd)

I agree too, all straps from Breitling whether leather, rubber or metal are excellent. I think the standard calf is probably my favourite all rounder.

Stef

_________________