Replacement Straps

[mjolnir2thor]

Hello everyone. Just a quick question from a Patek Newbie...

1. Can I buy a replacement strap for my 5226G directly from Patek or must I go through an AD?
2. Are there high-quality non-Patek strap websites that you would recommend?

Thank you!

[Watchdoyouwant?]

You certainly can go through PP. Jean Rousseau and Camille Fournet are frequent recommendations for quality third party quality strap manufacturers.

I though would highly recommend Delugs. I'm very happy with the custom strap they made for me. Equal in quality to my factory strap in my humble opinion.

Though they are a forum sponsor, I would not recommend ABP Paris. I was not happy at all with their work.

[Seo]

Third party fine. Just make sure you use the oem wg springbar


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[mjolnir2thor]

Originally Posted by Seo

Third party fine. Just make sure you use the oem wg springbar

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Will do. Will I have to slit the strap for the use of the oem springbar?

[Watchdoyouwant?]

Originally Posted by mjolnir2thor

Will do. Will I have to slit the strap for the use of the oem springbar?

No. They are removable. Very easy.

Also, just tell the maker that you want to reuse your quick release springbars and need the strap cut thusly.

[mjolnir2thor]

Originally Posted by Watchdoyouwant?

No. They are removable. Very easy.

Also, just tell the maker that you want to reuse your quick release springbars and need the strap cut thusly.

Perfect! Thanks

[HereForWatches]

Great topic!

I have gone around the world on this one. Patek OEM > Third Party > Patek OEM.

While there’s no reason a third party can’t make as good (or better) straps, I find that I spend a lot of time and money on mistakes from third parties. Buying from Patek I’m always happy and never surprised.

On the topic of quick release: All my Patek OEM straps come without quick release tabs cut into them. So I find myself stretching them a bit to accommodate the quick release springbars.

Does anyone have a better strategy for making Patek OEM straps work with quick release springbars?

[Dissdain]

I went with a custom strap from Camille Fournet and had to specifically request Patek-style cutouts for quick-release (which was kind of annoying). They were amazing from the start, great experience with the process. The strap took around 2 months to get.

[DavidSB]

Use a fresh sharp razor blade and make two parallel, narrow slits and cut off the back end of the tab. It's what my ADs do.

[fsprow]

Just call Tracy at Henri Stern in NYC. Very helpful. BTW currently all straps come with precut spring bar access slots.

[HereForWatches]

Originally Posted by fsprow

Just call Tracy at Henri Stern in NYC. Very helpful. BTW currently all straps come with precut spring bar access slots.

Ah, shoot! I did work with Tracy, but I didn’t ask for springbar access slots! So mine don’t have them.

[fsprow]

Originally Posted by HereForWatches

Ah, shoot! I did work with Tracy, but I didn’t ask for springbar access slots! So mine don’t have them.

When I was there last fall getting a strap, I was told this was a recent change.

[HereForWatches]

And I got "stitched only" straps, for a more vintage look. Could be that these straps aren't cut for quick release.

[mjolnir2thor]

Good information in this thread folks... thanks!

If I visit an AD, will they have straps on hand to show me or am I shown a catalog and then ordering?

[DavidSB]

With a few exceptions, my AD only has the catalog. Keep in mind that the catalog colors don't always represent what arrives as the material colors vary by batch. The Geneva Salon has a good selection of straps to see and buy.

[mjolnir2thor]

Has anyone bought a strap from Visconti Milano? (see link below)

https://viscontimilano.com/product-c.../PP-Calatrava/