Santos Strap Options

[Mis3]

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?

[Easy E]

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.

[JayHantz]

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!

[Mis3]

Did you guys purchase your alligator straps from Cartier or aftermarket like Delugs?
Cartier alligator strap is $600CAN.

[JayHantz]

Originally Posted by Mis3

Did you guys purchase your alligator straps from Cartier or aftermarket like Delugs?
Cartier alligator strap is $600CAN.

I did Cartier because Delugs was still developing his.

[Mis3]

Originally Posted by JayHantz

I did Cartier because Delugs was still developing his.

Delugs site states that their Santos straps will be available by Jul-2022.

Are there any 3rd party who makes good straps for Santos?

[youthagainsttt]

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

[Mis3]

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.

[Mis3]

Also, does Delugs make good straps?
I have no experience with aftermarket strap.

[Jgives]

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.

[androidrolexfan]

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.

[smalleq]

Originally Posted by Mis3

Delugs site states that their Santos straps will be available by Jul-2022.

Are there any 3rd party who makes good straps for Santos?

They had to put orders on hold as they got so many custom orders for the Santos and Overseas they were back ordered.

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.

[ranger22]

smalleq, is that orange strap the waxed canvas or the leather saffiano? It looks great!

[Mis3]

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

[smalleq]

Originally Posted by ranger22

smalleq, is that orange strap the waxed canvas or the leather saffiano? It looks great!

Orange is Saffiano and the green is the waxed canvas. I have a grey Alcantara strap for this watch as well.

[brandrea]

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 YMMV

[GST15]

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
IMG_5282.jpeg

[Zartan]

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.

[Mis3]

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.

[Zartan]

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

[ranger22]

Originally Posted by Mis3

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 do have smaller sized bands per request. Cartier boutique in my area ordered the shorter bands for my wife.

[Mis3]

Originally Posted by ranger22

They do have smaller sized bands per request. Cartier boutique in my area ordered the shorter bands for my wife.

Good to know.
Do you happen to know the demarcation of each size? Is 6.5-inch a small or medium size?

[ranger22]

Originally Posted by Mis3

Good to know.
Do you happen to know the demarcation of each size? Is 6.5-inch a small or medium size?

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.

[Mis3]

Originally Posted by ranger22

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.

Thanks.
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.