44mm ROOs - rubber vs. leather straps

[Armis]

I reached out to the AP boutique to inquire about different strap options they have for my 44mm ROO you see below. Mostly I was on the lookout for a blue/navy strap to break up the strong grey predominance of case, dial, and bezel. From the snapshot the SA sent me, there was a navy rubber strap that’s same color as subdials...BUT there was also a matte navy alligator leather strap that surprisingly caught my attention.

I’m only used to seeing these on rubber straps, so I’m curious what the forum here thinks of the idea of alligator leather straps on a 44mm ROO?
And do you have any examples to share?

All opinions are appreciated.

[dauster]

I just googled it and there are some cool options. I mean plenty 42mm ROOs come on alligator, so I'd say why not if you like it.

[Armis]

Originally Posted by dauster

I just googled it and there are some cool options. I mean plenty 42mm ROOs come on alligator, so I'd say why not if you like it.

You’re very right. But i will look more carefully through google out of curiosity as well.
Thanks 🙏🏼

[AshAP]

I’ll send a photo of the offshore on alligator shortly as I changed mine last week. If you like the idea of alligator or leather it’s worth considering having AP custom make one for you to a specific shade. The right shade of grey would look amazing on your watch IMO.


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[AshAP]

Here you go:




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[AshAP]

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[P2725TMB]

Another option to consider is the Grand Prix strap. Mine is on a black with red but AP also do a black with grey which would look good on your watch and is more sporty than an alligator strap. That said the alligator would look great too!

[Armis]

Originally Posted by AshAP

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Ash, this is truly awesome, thank you!
You honestly make the leather and rubber options look good, and there is room for both. But I have a clear picture for leather strap too now.
Many thanks.

[puckybadger]

Still can't believe people put a $2.00 rubber strap on a $25K+ watch

[Burlington]

Originally Posted by puckybadger

Still can't believe people put a $2.00 rubber strap on a $25K+ watch

Try one and you’ll know

[GS93108]

Originally Posted by puckybadger

Still can't believe people put a $2.00 rubber strap on a $25K+ watch

There’s no steel or PM watch on the market that has $25k of ‘material’. The price (I didn’t say value) of a watch is 99% marketing, R&D, manufacturing and 1% materials. Ergo, a $2 price of rubber is your perception of the raw material cost, whilst your perception of the $25k watch itself is justified?

I’m not picking on you, but you can’t value rubber as essentially worthless and then value worthless steel as essentially priceless...

p.s. just to finish my pseudo rant, the AP rubber straps are quality items. I had an AP alligator strap and it looked great for 6 months and then it started showing wear, especially on the inside and it was awfully expensive to replace.

p.p.s. There aren’t many $25k AP’s, you are thinking of $10k ($100 material cost) rolexes that trade at $25k...

[Jp28]

[Jp28]

[AshAP]

Originally Posted by Armis

Ash, this is truly awesome, thank you!
You honestly make the leather and rubber options look good, and there is room for both. But I have a clear picture for leather strap too now.
Many thanks.

A friend of mine inherited his dads gold Jumbo and I’m pretty sure he calculated that there was 6k of gold in it.


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[AshAP]

^^^^^that was meant to have quoted Gary’s post re 99% of value.


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[GS93108]

Originally Posted by AshAP

^^^^^that was meant to have quoted Gary’s post re 99% of value.


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I may well be prone to exaggeration...

I did a similar calculation for my very first rose gold ROO. My recommendation, don’t take the time to calculate the value of the PM in your watch, it hurts!

[AshAP]

Originally Posted by GS93108

I may well be prone to exaggeration...

I did a similar calculation for my very first rose gold ROO. My recommendation, don’t take the time to calculate the value of the PM in your watch, it hurts!

A guy I work with got divorced and went to chop in his platinum wedding ring and was offered 10% of its retail cost for scrap value.


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[Watchflair]

Leather works w the right color combination -