The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Looking at the 24mm BOB calf strap on the bay for $29. Looks like a nicely padded calf strap, but the price seems too good to be true.

Anyone have any experiences to share about BOB straps??

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I've not owned one but I've heard they're pretty good aftermarket straps. Not Breitling standard, but then they're not Breitling prices!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I use them. Excellent quality and value.

Thanks, I'll give them a try.

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Hmmmm, I'll say sorry upfront to all you non-OEM strap users out there, and I have nothing against good quality aftermarket straps on certain watches, BUT I'd personally feel that a non-Breitling strap on that lovely looking Bronze Motors would be a crime against... er..... horology! I always feel that several thousands pounds (or dollars) worth of watch deserves a bit more than a $29 strap.

But maybe that's just me......

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Not just you, I'm a strap snob too - although the only reason that I haven't placed an order with ABP yet is because I may be looking for a couple more straps soon.

I do generally prefer Breitling, but the ABPs are just so unique and so capable of tailoring that I can personally consider them as comparable to Breitling.

Oh yeah I agree about the likes of ABP. They use very unique skins and they are all custom made, and I agree on certain watches they can look amazing (the Blacksteel for example), but on a Bentley...... well, it's gotta OEM croco all the way for me.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

LOL! No apology necessary to me. I prefer that my watches have signed accessories too, but a ling strap is a bitter pill to swallow if it ends up sitting in a drawer. I wear almost all my watches on bracelet, and will likely wear the Bentley on the bracelet too, but wanted to "test drive" a strap before investing BIG BUCKS into the ling strap.

The BOB seems like a great option for a low cost test drive.

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The bronze Bentley I tried on in Venice had a smooth chocolat (or cognac) Calf strap, not Croco. Were there options?

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LOL! No apology necessary to me. I prefer that my watches have signed accessories too, but a ling strap is a bitter pill to swallow if it ends up sitting in a drawer. I wear almost all my watches on bracelet, and will likely wear the Bentley on the bracelet too, but wanted to "test drive" a strap before investing BIG BUCKS into the ling strap.

The BOB seems like a great option for a low cost test drive.[/quote]

I must admit that does make a great deal of sense, wear it for a while, if you really like the look then the investment in the genuine strap makes a great deal of sense as it would be in more keeping with the watch!

This does bring up the vulgar subject of worth the money though! Is a crocodile strap really worth upwards of $500, they must have fed that croc caviar! I wonder what the actual cost of one is to manufacture?

Having said all of that I know when it comes time to get a leather strap for my cockpit I will bite the bullet and go original calf as I feel it does keep the integrity of the piece, that and I love the finish on those, even at $160 a pop!

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All the best.
Ian

You can always change the strap up for whatever you want - just because it's on the calf in the store doesn't mean that you can't change it to a croco or a different colour.

I understand that, it just sounded like you were saying all Bentleys were on croco. Thanks for all the opinions and help guys!

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Where are the links people?

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I guess that's a good point if you don't plan to keep your Bentley on the strap all the time. For me I tend to decide on the look I want from the outset and then that's it : I don't change straps and bracelets very often, so if I decide to get a strap it's because I want I keep it on my watch.

I definitely agree that a £300 strap in the drawer is a waste of money........ and a waste of a perfectly good crocodile!

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Driver8

Site Moderator