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#1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 357
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Santos Strap Options
I plan to buy a Santos Large. It comes with a metal bracelet and a calfskin strap. If I want a black strap, it will have to be a alligator strap and will cost $500-600 CAN.
How is the calfskin compared to the alligator strap? Is it worth the extra to buy the alligator strap? |
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#2 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: GA
Posts: 4,792
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Gator is always more expensive than leather, so that’s normal. I purchased two additional straps for my Santos and I think it’s great. Do it.
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#3 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Real Name: Jonathan
Location: Texas
Watch: @Escapementt
Posts: 9,844
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I have the Santos medium and have the calfskin and sourced the grey alligator after purchase. The calfskin is, of course, more flexible on the wrist. The gator is stiffer but it is still comfortable. Now I really think the bracelet, the brown calfskin, and the grey alligator are so diverse and really bring three different looks to the watch. I say go for it!
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#4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 357
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Did you guys purchase your alligator straps from Cartier or aftermarket like Delugs?
Cartier alligator strap is $600CAN. |
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#5 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Real Name: Jonathan
Location: Texas
Watch: @Escapementt
Posts: 9,844
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#6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 357
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#7 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: HK
Watch: Piaget,Rolex,AP,HB
Posts: 1,040
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I would hold off and wait for Delugs. I've never bought from the brand but they look like nice straps
My experience with the Cartier boutique in HK - I orderd the grey strap for my Large Santos deCartier for my birthday last yr, picked it up and whilst they installed it, I wanted to change back to my strap and then it got stuck. There were like 3-4 SA's trying to get it off and they had to get the watchmaker to take it off eventually Not only that but I kinda feel like the straps in general are quite narrow compared to the watch head, I guess this would also apply to the Delugs In short, I only wear my Santos on the bracelet now |
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#8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 357
|
The Santos Large comes with both the my metal bracelet and calfskin strap. I checked their website and the color choices do not include black.
I like a black strap and the only black strap is alligator which I will have to buy separately. I was in a Cartier store last week and I did see the watch but not the straps. I am hoping you guys can tell me if the alligator strap is good, good for $600 CAN. Also, does Delugs make good straps? I have no experience with aftermarket straps. |
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#9 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 357
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Also, does Delugs make good straps?
I have no experience with aftermarket strap. |
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#10 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: California
Watch: 15500, Santos
Posts: 207
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Use some leather conditioner on the gator straps. They come too stiff, but after working some conditioner into mine, it’s way softer and comfortable.
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#11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: MN
Posts: 36
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I was able to exchange the calfskin strap for the black alligator strap at the time I purchased my large Santos from the boutique. It took about 8 weeks for the alligator strap to arrive. The alligator strap was stiff, but did soften up after wearing for some time.
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#12 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: NJ
Posts: 90
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Quote:
I received three straps back in March from them for my Santos and they are pretty great. I would say nicer (and less expensive) than the OEM straps I had purchased (tan and black gator). Probably worth the wait, especially since Cartier seems to be always back ordered as well. ![]() ![]() |
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#13 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Tejas
Posts: 28
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smalleq, is that orange strap the waxed canvas or the leather saffiano? It looks great!
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#14 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 357
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My wrist is only 6.5 inches.
For the metal bracelet, I will have to remove links to fit my wrist. For the leather strap, I learned how to adjust the size by the link below. Does Cartier leather straps come with different sizes? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxNo7DN8rJI |
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#15 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: NJ
Posts: 90
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#16 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Brian (TBone)
Location: canada
Watch: es make me smile
Posts: 76,006
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I have no experience with the Cartier Alligator, but I did buy an OEM alligator for my Panerai.
Going from the factory calfskin to the alligator didn’t work well for me. I far prefer the way calfskin wears ![]() |
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#17 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: USA
Watch: CHNR/YM/DJ/OP/SUB
Posts: 1,864
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I have a number of straps for my Santos, but this one is the most comfortable. It is from the ADLC version, and is super comfortable. I believe it was around $300 and well worth it
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#18 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2022
Real Name: Casey
Location: El Norte
Watch: Speedy
Posts: 103
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Ordered both right after buying mine.
I ordered blue gator from Cartier and blue stingray from delugs and just got the later yesterday. Took over two months. Fit perfect but a little lighter then I expected. It’s made very well, stingray is very difficult to work with. No word on the gator strap yet but I’d expect that to fit perfectly as well, hopefully real navy blue. The metal bracelet it came with was either too tight or too loose. The blue leather strap is really nicely broken in now though. Very comfortable strap.
I really like Cartier’s quick change system. |
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#19 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 357
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When you order leather strap from Cartier, do you specify the length or is it one size fits all?
My wrist is a tiny 6.5 inch. |
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#20 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2022
Real Name: Casey
Location: El Norte
Watch: Speedy
Posts: 103
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When you order leather strap from Cartier, do you specify the length or is it one size fits all?
My wrist is a tiny 6.5 inch. They didn’t ask me so I guess it’s one size. Like the strap it came with one side is secured to the deployment clasp and the other with holes to adjust bigger or smaller. The first one I bought was for the older model which didn’t have holes punched, the ends just folded. You’ll end up using a higher hole pattern, it’ll look better imo |
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#21 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Tejas
Posts: 28
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#22 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 357
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#23 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Tejas
Posts: 28
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I don’t know the demarcation of each size. My wife has a 15.5cm wrist and uses the smallest setting on the standard band and it’s a bit too big still. Hope that helps.
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#24 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 357
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Quote:
A typical leather strap has 7 holes. Ideally, I would like to be able to use one of the middle 3 holes for my wrist. |
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