The Breitling Watch Source Forums
https://www.breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/

A PROPER Panerai....
https://www.breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=28905
Page 1 of 2

Author:  BroncoSport [ Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:56 am ]
Post subject:  A PROPER Panerai....

After seeing Sharkmans results on his Breitling Croco strap, I thought I would take a chance on my new TedSu strap for the PAM 312. I didn't mind the color but it was a bit light for me and the features of the leather didnt show up very well. It was scarey to think that I might screw up this brand new $285 strap, but I took a chance!

When I first applied the olive oil, I thought "oh NO" but after drying the wet leather dried out to a beautiful patina. I coated the whole top side with one treatment and then (after drying with a hair drier for 4-5 minutes) I treated the horns and grain lines 2 more times to accent the dark color. I didn't want a super dark brown, just wanted to darken a orangey brown and to highlight the features of this particular leather. I love the results and now I breath a sigh of relief knowing that I DIDNT screw up my strap, but rather improved it. This method was very easy and the results are exactly what I wanted.

Here you go, with before and after (lighter, of course, being the before!)....

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Author:  Driver8 [ Fri Apr 01, 2011 9:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A PROPER Panerai....

That's a much nicer colour now. I'm surprised that olive oil would have quite such a marked effect. Nice going!

Author:  sharkman [ Fri Apr 01, 2011 9:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A PROPER Panerai....

Night and day! Isn't it amazing? Credit goes to either Alan M. or Aleister, I can never remember which.

Author:  BroncoSport [ Fri Apr 01, 2011 10:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A PROPER Panerai....

It really is a subtle but dramatic change. Turned a very nice but light colored strap into an aged looking new strap. Best part was the ease of the process. I wouldn't hesitate to do this again on another strap.

Author:  davidjewels [ Tue Apr 05, 2011 11:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A PROPER Panerai....

It REALLY looks very nice and It perfectly matches the watch. After you have worn it out a bit I believe it can only get better as it 'ages'
Good luck with your timepiece.

Author:  RXPete [ Tue Apr 05, 2011 4:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A PROPER Panerai....

It's much better now. Tom said to avoid the stitching. Did you or did you apply over them also?

I'm thinking of doing the same thing to my Breitling croc but I'm still a bit scared to ruin it.

Author:  sharkman [ Tue Apr 05, 2011 6:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A PROPER Panerai....

RXPete wrote:
It's much better now. Tom said to avoid the stitching. Did you or did you apply over them also?

I'm thinking of doing the same thing to my Breitling croc but I'm still a bit scared to ruin it.



Use the best oil you can buy, let the strap applications follow the intial opening of the bottle, apply far less than you think you need the first application. You'll be fine. The croco finish is pretty forgiving. I'm not so certain about a calf strap.

Author:  BroncoSport [ Tue Apr 05, 2011 8:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A PROPER Panerai....

I tried to avoid the stitching but it might have gotten a little on them. This strap was ordered with "natural" stitching and unlike the white Breilting stitching is is a little more forgiving. I also "rolled" the q-tip on a paper towel to remove ALL excess olive oil. The q-tip looked a bit dry before I applied. It still had plenty on the q-tip. Just repeated when I needed a bit more oil. (as per Sharkman's instructions).

Worked very well and now I have another TedSu on the way that is going to get "treated" until its several shades darker than the way this one turned out. Not quite as dark as Sharkman's Breitling croc, but somewhere in between.

Author:  sharkman [ Tue Apr 05, 2011 8:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A PROPER Panerai....

Pete, you just want to avoid the stitching. It's inevitable some oil gets on the stitching, but it isn't a big deal and my white contrast stitching looks like new.

Showed the set up to my AD over lunch and he was shocked when he heard it was olive oil and how easy it was. He thought it was dyed by a leather smith.

Author:  H2F [ Thu Apr 07, 2011 6:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A PROPER Panerai....

That just looks awesome!

Author:  roman4405 [ Thu Apr 07, 2011 6:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A PROPER Panerai....

That looks great. I've always loved hornback straps and that looks even better with the darker horns (or whatever they are).

Author:  sharkman [ Thu Apr 07, 2011 6:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A PROPER Panerai....

roman4405 wrote:
That looks great. I've always loved hornback straps and that looks even better with the darker horns (or whatever they are).



They are bones actually.

Author:  BroncoSport [ Thu Apr 07, 2011 7:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A PROPER Panerai....

roman4405 wrote:
That looks great. I've always loved hornback straps and that looks even better with the darker horns (or whatever they are).


Thanks. I love hornback straps as well, but really wish I could fine a maker that offered REALLY tall horns on a strap. I have seen a few pictures, here and there, with hornback type straps where the "horns" are very tall and knarley looking. That would be a cool looking accent for my PAM. Very dragon-esk...

Author:  H2F [ Thu Apr 07, 2011 9:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A PROPER Panerai....

Something like this "Tail of the devil" (from paneray.com)? The horns are actually very soft. Not the most comfortable strap to wear, but dragon-esk, no?... :mrgreen:

Image
Image
Image
Image

Author:  BroncoSport [ Thu Apr 07, 2011 9:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A PROPER Panerai....

Yeah that's cool. I will check them out, thanks.

Page 1 of 2 All times are UTC - 8 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
https://www.phpbb.com/