Noob questions about after market Straps....

[Brunotheboxer]

I want to get a new strap for my 111 but I'm a little confused as I'm a strap N00b. What is considered the best quality strap for about US +- $100. Right now I'm looking at some Manifatture Firenze straps like this one...




Or this one.

Or here.
In your opinions should I go with black or brown on a 111 or is it 100% personal.

I dont understand all the mm measurements. What size should I buy for a 111. 24mm x 24mm? Would 26mm x 24mm fit? and what would it look like.

Also on the Oem strap I'm on the second to last hole and the watch is just a tad too loose but I cant tighten it to the next smallest hole. What length strap should I get? 75/120 or 85/130. Can someone point me in the right direction or provide a link.

Also if you dont like this brand of strap what do you prefer?????

[snog]

your 111 oem strap size is 24/22 so thats 24 where it fits to the watch and tapers to 22 at the buckle,most non pam straps for 111s would be 24/24 ie no taper.

as for the colour it is all down to you,I prefer a darker strap,and have went for the pam black gator,check out the link at the top of the pager some good sellers there,don't rush though as some are better quality than others,the strap is a big part of the watch.

[snog]

missed the last part of your post,

the "standard pam strap on your Pam is 115/75

so thats the buckle side is 75mm and the tail side is 115mm

for some unknow reason Panerai with their bigger straps just increase the buckle side,so a larger strap would be 115/95,the problem with that is,if the buckle sat in the correct place on your wrist with the standard strap but you needed more tail then the bigger strap would give you more tale but would be at the cost of probably having the buckle in the wrong place,whereas most non Pam strap sellers increase both the buckle and tail sides,I prefer no tail,as long as it goes under the first keeper,thats ok with me,as I think it looks tidier that way,again it's down to the wearer.

[Brunotheboxer]

So if I'm on the second to last oem hole which size should I get?

[snog]

I'm on the third last and the 115/75 is great for me,so if you want a good tail then but keep the buckle sitting where it is then you need to up the tail,so look for something thats 75 buckle and 135 tail,or you could increase both so something like 125/85

the best way to think about it is,look at the standard Pam stap on your wrist and add 5mm to each side or 10mm to one side,you know it's 115/75 so not too hard to imagine what a few more mm will look like.

as you seems to be going for a non pam,then chances are both sides will be bigger,so look for something 125/85 or there abouts.

[Brunotheboxer]

Thank you very much for the help sir.

Does anyone know what strap this is?

[snog]

could be a Mauser strap by Micah?

[B. Doggy]

Unfortunately, you're going to have to go through a trial and error phase on the whole strap thing. I spent quite a few $$$ before I figured out which strap-smith and size worked best for me. My advice would be to know how much "tail" you want. Good luck and take your time!

[esm]

its def 100% personal. get what you like.
make sure you get a set of tubes for the Luminor case too!

[mfer]

2nd last hole huh? sounds like a 6.5" wrist. How does this suite you?

http://50.30.33.71/~trfcom/showthrea...ighlight=shoes

or this

http://50.30.33.71/~trfcom/showthread.php?t=166273

You want tail or not? That is the real question. Also, with a $100 budget it is going to be hard to get a fully custom strap. The strap makers should tell you easily if it'll fit your wrist size or not.

[Speed]

I bought Heroics, but they were much too large. I learned from Mik way back when that after market straps are very thick.

OEM straps - while diabolically expensive - are super high quality AND fit well. I wont buy after market any more.

[Brunotheboxer]

Originally Posted by mfer

2nd last hole huh? sounds like a 6.5" wrist. How does this suite you?

http://50.30.33.71/~trfcom/showthrea...ighlight=shoes

or this

http://50.30.33.71/~trfcom/showthread.php?t=166273

You want tail or not? That is the real question. Also, with a $100 budget it is going to be hard to get a fully custom strap. The strap makers should tell you easily if it'll fit your wrist size or not.

No it's second to last hole from the other end. I would be willing to go to $200 but that seems expensive for 2 pieces of leather.

[Brunotheboxer]

My wrist is about 7.5 inches. My Rolex fit me right out of the box with no adjusting if that helps.

[TheDude]

FWIW, I recently ordered and received my first strap.

I told the maker the hole I used on the OEM and he was able to make it just right. He suggested a bit longer tail due to the vintage look of the strap. The point is, we had an email back and forth and all of the confusing stuff for a new guy like me was covered.

[mfer]

For 7.5" wrist, you can go bigger.

I don't think you are ready for a fully custom strap. If you are worried about keeping costs down, get a used on here...
http://www.network54.com/Forum/353393/
You can then resell it for close to the same for what you bought it for.

You can then use this to determine your perfect fit strap.

Also, reach out to a strap maker like Rob Montana. He'll work with you and recommend a strap for you based off of how much tail (ie how far the tail side comes up to the lugs) you want and where you want the buckle (center, off to side, climbing up).

For that historic look, most people go for the tail to be near the lugs and the buckle to be off center.

Look at my pictures in this link again.
http://50.30.33.71/~trfcom/showthrea...ighlight=shoes

See how the buckle is off center and how the tail comes close the the lugs.
I'd call that medium to long tail and the buckle off center. That strap is 80mm on buckle side and 135mm on tail side. I could have gone 140mm on the tail side, but I knew this strap is really hard (I wanted it that way).

If you go the premade route, get the longer cut generally since you have a 7.5" wrist. Find a strap you want and ask here if you think it'll be good. I'm sure there is someone here with a 7.5" wrist who could post some pics. Anyone, anyone?

Just keep in mind, you get what you pay for on straps.
$100 straps can be very nice. No doubt about it. Most likely though, they are machine made, thicker, little character.
$200 straps get you in the custom range, where you can pic many details. You start to go to a mix of hand and machine made. (this is the Rob Montana range, Micha, few more)
$300+ straps, the sky is the limit.

So, what do you want?

[Brunotheboxer]

I like this one and I do like yours too and I want it to fit my wrist exactly like yours. On my oem strap I have zero tail and I don't like it like that.

[mfer]

Ok, long story short, for the fit I had, you need a 150/100 my large friend.

Also, sending you a PM.

[Brunotheboxer]

Originally Posted by mfer

Ok, long story short, for the fit I had, you need a 150/100 my large friend.

Also, sending you a PM.

Thank you very much pal. I received the PM and responded.

[michae42]

You can definitely find some great deals on the link that Mfer provided. Just be careful, because it's beyond addicting! I just got some nice new Greg Stevens Design (GSD) straps for the price range you mentioned in your post.

[snog]

Originally Posted by Speed

I bought Heroics, but they were much too large. I learned from Mik way back when that after market straps are very thick.

OEM straps - while diabolically expensive - are super high quality AND fit well. I wont buy after market any more.

I agree,you are best trying to view non OEM straps before you buy.

[Brunotheboxer]

When you guys say that the after market straps are too thick, do you mean they are uncomfortable or just look bad or both? There is really no way I can see trying non oem straps before I buy. I cant see myself buying oem straps because they are just too small for me. I am going to take my time on this before I buy.

[mfer]

Originally Posted by Brunotheboxer

When you guys say that the after market straps are too thick, do you mean they are uncomfortable or just look bad or both? There is really no way I can see trying non oem straps before I buy. I cant see myself buying oem straps because they are just too small for me. I am going to take my time on this before I buy.

Some straps are very thick and can be uncomfortable and IMHO look bad. Some people do like the thick feel and look though. Not all aftermarket straps are created equal.

I like between 3 and 5mm.

[mfer]

It all comes down to personal preference however. Strap hunt is a hard thing to get your grail strap right out of the gate because you don't even know what you want yet!

[Brunotheboxer]

I've looked at so many straps today at work and home I literally gave myself a headache..

The only solution is that Mik, you're gonna have to visit me this summer and bring all your straps.