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Expert opinions needed: which strap for Steelfish?
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Author:  Mofongo [ Thu Feb 19, 2009 6:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Expert opinions needed: which strap for Steelfish?
(actually, non-expert opinions are welcome, too)

Hi everyone,

Continuing my obsession with Breitlings, I just got a new Steelfish with silver dial from Hess Fine Arts in FL. It should be in the mail any day. It comes with the Pro II bracelet, but I really want to put a strap on it. My plan is to keep the bracelet completely unworn so I can sell it later if I choose (or who knows, maybe I will decide to put it back on, or I will find a use for it later).

So I am deciding my options. I do like the Breitling brown leather strap, as shown on this thread here: http://breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5005. I particularly like the white stitching as it matches well with the dial color. However, mywatchmaker.net sells a Di-Modell "Jumbo" that looks totally awesome as well: http://www.mywatchmaker.net/watchstraps/k1dmJumbo.htm. Here are some pics with it on a CA: http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=73927 (I was going to get the dark brown model and not the tan shown in this picture).

The cost difference between the Breitling strap and the Di-Model is not really a big deal. However, cost does become a big deal if I decide to go with a deployant. mywatchmaker.net also sells quality SS deployant clasps for $35. These will fit a standard tang strap (either the Di-Modell or, I assume, a Breitling tang style strap), but not the Breitling deployant straps.

So here are my options from cheapest to most expensive:
    1. Di-Modell Jumbo, no deployant ~$35
    2. Di-Modell Jumbo, generic deployant ~$70
    3. Breitling leather strap + tang buckle ~$150
    4. Breitling leather strap + tang buckle + generic deployant ~$185*
    5. Breitling deployant leather strap + Breitling deployant clasp ~$400
*I would still purchase the $25 Breitling tang buckles even if I just took them off to install a generic deployant.

I would really like to avoid option 5, but 1-4 I would live with depending on quality, etc.

Questions:
    - Which option should I go with?
    - Has anyone had any interaction with mywatchmaker.net? The reason I found him, actually, is that he sells the Bergeon springbar tool that has been recommended on this site. He seems to sell only quality stuff.
    - Thoughts on using a generic double-fold deployant clasp with a Breitling strap?
    - Any other ideas? A croc maybe?

Thanks!

Mofongo
Author:  RICK S [ Thu Feb 19, 2009 6:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Expert opinions needed: which strap for Steelfish?
Hi, I just thought I would shoot you a photo of a steelfish on a black shark strap. I hope it helps.

Image

Image
Author:  carlhaluss [ Thu Feb 19, 2009 7:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Expert opinions needed: which strap for Steelfish?
I have the Steelfish with black dial, and I had an Ocean Racer strap put on it, although I now have the PRO II on it. The OR looks great, but I don't know how it would look with the silver dial, although why not? Here is a link to a posting of the Steelfish with Ocean Racer:
viewtopic.php?t=2832
Also, I don't know if you are aware that the Breitling Japan webite has a link to "fitting" under each model of watch. You can select the dial and bracelet or strap you want, and the image will be updated with your selection. Here is a link to that website:
http://www.breitling.co.jp/
The silver dial Breitlings seem to look very well on a brown strap, but at least you can get an idea on the Japanese website. I recently got a Breitling brown leather strap for my Seawolf, with the regular tang buckle. It is very comfortable, possibly the most comfortable of any strap or bracelet I have had. It is a bit stiff at first, but after a couple of days becomes quite comfortable. I love the look that it gives the watch, and it is also the first time I have had a leather strap on any of my watches.
Anyway, the Breitling leather strap is a bit of an investment even without the deployant, but it is definitely a quality strap.
Cheers,
Carl
Author:  g37s [ Thu Feb 19, 2009 7:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Expert opinions needed: which strap for Steelfish?
Option 3. Breitling with tang...
Author:  In2Deep [ Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Expert opinions needed: which strap for Steelfish?
Rubber ;)
Author:  Otto [ Thu Feb 19, 2009 9:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Expert opinions needed: which strap for Steelfish?
In2Deep wrote:
Rubber ;)

Yep, rubber definitely suits the Fish.

Of the options you've listed, if you can't (or don't want to) stretch to option 5, I'd pick option 3.
Author:  aleister [ Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Expert opinions needed: which strap for Steelfish?
Otto wrote:
In2Deep wrote:
Rubber ;)

Yep, rubber definitely suits the Fish.

Of the options you've listed, if you can't (or don't want to) stretch to option 5, I'd pick option 3.


:yeahthat

Fully agree!
Author:  Mofongo [ Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Expert opinions needed: which strap for Steelfish?
In2Deep wrote:
Rubber ;)


Sorry...don't have the rubber fetish. :) At least not with the silver dial, anyway.

I am going for the slightly rugged or "pilot's style" look with a thick leather strap. What I would really love is a dark brown strap similar to what comes with the IWC "Big Pilot":
ImageImage


There is one place (strapluxe.com) that makes an aftermarket version of this. However, I'm not so sure I would like the one piece of the strap being 1/3 the size of the other. I just like the look of the big buttons plus the thick strap.

Mofongo
Author:  MarkJnk [ Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Expert opinions needed: which strap for Steelfish?
carlhaluss wrote:
I have the Steelfish with black dial, and I had an Ocean Racer strap put on it, although I now have the PRO II on it. The OR looks great, but I don't know how it would look with the silver dial, although why not? Here is a link to a posting of the Steelfish with Ocean Racer:
viewtopic.php?t=2832
Also, I don't know if you are aware that the Breitling Japan webite has a link to "fitting" under each model of watch. You can select the dial and bracelet or strap you want, and the image will be updated with your selection. Here is a link to that website:
http://www.breitling.co.jp/
The silver dial Breitlings seem to look very well on a brown strap, but at least you can get an idea on the Japanese website. I recently got a Breitling brown leather strap for my Seawolf, with the regular tang buckle. It is very comfortable, possibly the most comfortable of any strap or bracelet I have had. It is a bit stiff at first, but after a couple of days becomes quite comfortable. I love the look that it gives the watch, and it is also the first time I have had a leather strap on any of my watches.
Anyway, the Breitling leather strap is a bit of an investment even without the deployant, but it is definitely a quality strap.
Cheers,
Carl


Agreed, brown strap looks great on the white dial. Go with a nice dark honey strap with white stitching.

Carl, nice job on your signature image! I recall you saying you were going to do one and it looks fantastic. :lingsrock:
Author:  In2Deep [ Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Expert opinions needed: which strap for Steelfish?
I agree, brown on a white dial does look good ;)

Image
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