Blancpain x HODINKEE

[Gilthoniel]

Originally Posted by kritameth

That's where the buckle on the majority of my Natos sits, it's normal IME. But to lick a twice melted Creamsicle bar, yes, I feel BP should've at least included a sailcloth and/or Tropic rubber with this [for the price].

Ah okay...

My only experience with NATO straps are with the OEM Omega ones which are absolutely much better in quality!


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[Gilthoniel]

Originally Posted by Mbbgysam

Did you shift the watch head on the nato? I had to shift mine quite a bit to get the buckle centered.

I’ll try it later!

It’s currently on a sailcloth strap

Those curved springbars are a PITA to remove



Quick and dirty photo. Sorry abt the lighting


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[Gilthoniel]

Originally Posted by ROLEXROLEXROLEXRO

The prices on these on secondary is going up like crazy. Obviously only several examples transacted so not really a market but there was one for 18K, 2 for 21K, all gone now. Currently there is one example for 27K...

Where did you see those transacted prices?

My only reference is Chrono24 hahaha


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[kritameth]

Originally Posted by Gilthoniel

I’ll try it later!

It’s currently on a sailcloth strap

Those curved springbars are a PITA to remove



Quick and dirty photo. Sorry abt the lighting


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Did you manage to remove the spring bars without scratching the lugs by any chance?

[sgfortino]

Originally Posted by kritameth

Did you manage to remove the spring bars without scratching the lugs by any chance?

I switched mine to the OEM sailcloth strap and had no problems. I taped over the lug to minimize the risk of scratches and it went fine. It’s nice it has the drilled lugs....makes changing straps easier in my opinion.

[Gilthoniel]

Originally Posted by kritameth

Did you manage to remove the spring bars without scratching the lugs by any chance?

Yes I managed to.

Taped the lugs

And put a spring bar tool thru the drilled lugs

But even with the drilled lugs, it was quite a struggle to push the bars out.

Somehow I managed hahahaha


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[JCC296]

[Gilthoniel]

Originally Posted by JCC296

Looks beautiful.

Basically any strap on this watch is better than the original nato.

Hahahahhaa


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[woowoo]

Just noticed this thread has 500+ replies and 26k views.

Say what you want about the Dinkee, BP, limited editions and collabs. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them.

[MichaelFlash]

Originally Posted by woowoo

Just noticed this thread has 500+ replies and 26k views.

Say what you want about the Dinkee, BP, limited editions and collabs. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them.

Correct.

[jed11]

Meh....

[Gilthoniel]

Here’s mine on my sailcloth




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[kritameth]

Originally Posted by Gilthoniel

Here’s mine on my sailcloth




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Is that an Artem?

[Gilthoniel]

Originally Posted by kritameth

Is that an Artem?

No it’s a B&R strap. Found it in my drawer. Bought it a long time ago and kinda forgot abt it lol


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[kritameth]

Originally Posted by Gilthoniel

No it’s a B&R strap. Found it in my drawer. Bought it a long time ago and kinda forgot abt it lol


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I see. I'm assuming the strap was made for straight spring bars? Did you use straight spring bars or the curved ones that came on the watch?

[Gilthoniel]

Originally Posted by kritameth

I see. I'm assuming the strap was made for straight spring bars? Did you use straight spring bars or the curved ones that came on the watch?

I used it with the curved bars. The aperture for the bar is quite big so it should work just fine.

No issues so far.

Do the Artem straps work with curved bars? Will the quick release straps from Artem work with the lugs?


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[kritameth]

Originally Posted by Gilthoniel

I used it with the curved bars. The aperture for the bar is quite big so it should work just fine.

No issues so far.

Do the Artem straps work with curved bars? Will the quick release straps from Artem work with the lugs?


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Thank you. Another owner ordered an Artem and tried it with the curved spring bars but he said it doesn't work. Straight bars should work fine for this watch, however, so the Artem with quick release bars should work fine. But it's good we now have another alternative to the BP sailcloth. I handled the BP sailcloth and BP Tropic-style rubber side-by-side and wasn't blown away by the sailcloth as I was by the Tropic, so that's what I ended up ordering. However, not wanting to risk scratching the lugs so soon I will be wearing mine on various Natos for a while.

[Gilthoniel]

Originally Posted by kritameth

Thank you. Another owner ordered an Artem and tried it with the curved spring bars but he said it doesn't work. Straight bars should work fine for this watch, however, so the Artem with quick release bars should work fine. But it's good we now have another alternative to the BP sailcloth. I handled the BP sailcloth and BP Tropic-style rubber side-by-side and wasn't blown away by the sailcloth as I was by the Tropic, so that's what I ended up ordering. However, not wanting to risk scratching the lugs so soon I will be wearing mine on various Natos for a while.

Make sure to tape the lugs before removing the springbars.

And also the springbars do not have flanges so the only way to remove them is by poking the holes in the drilled lugs.

Very scary stuff but with taped up lugs... should be manageable!

So does this mean the Artem straps are stiff at the lugs and thus unable to fit the curved bars?


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[kritameth]

Originally Posted by Gilthoniel

Make sure to tape the lugs before removing the springbars.

And also the springbars do not have flanges so the only way to remove them is by poking the holes in the drilled lugs.

Very scary stuff but with taped up lugs... should be manageable!

So does this mean the Artem straps are stiff at the lugs and thus unable to fit the curved bars?


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Thanks for the tips! Removing the flangeless spring bars on Seiko divers is always risky business haha. I believe that's the case, because Artem said their straps do not take curved bars. I'll be ordering some straight 20mm spring bars off Otto Frei at some point.

[gm58]

What is the point of curved spring bars? Seems unnecessary trouble to do. Do people suggest should change to normal spring bars right away? Will it fit on this watch

[kritameth]

Originally Posted by gm58

What is the point of curved spring bars? Seems unnecessary trouble to do. Do people suggest should change to normal spring bars right away? Will it fit on this watch

It will fit, as a member on WUS tried, but the clearance is almost nonexistent. Probably the only straps that will pass through are fabric/perlon straps.

[Rexplorer214270]

Not sure if anyone saw on the for sale part of this site, Del Ray Watch selling this piece, unworn for $26,000...

[ap1]

Originally Posted by Rexplorer214270

Not sure if anyone saw on the for sale part of this site, Del Ray Watch selling this piece, unworn for $26,000...

So who is returning it still

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by ap1

So who is returning it still

I’ll best that price hit me up I got a FPJ I need lol




Hodinkee claims mine is coming tomorrow. FedEx still shows nada. Kind of excited again...

[ap1]

Originally Posted by GB-man

I’ll best that price hit me up I got a FPJ I need lol




Hodinkee claims mine is coming tomorrow. FedEx still shows nada. Kind of excited again...

Lol. I’m sadly waiting for a sailcloth / buckle. Just staring at it in the box. Nato is junk


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[GB-man]

Originally Posted by ap1

Lol. I’m sadly waiting for a sailcloth / buckle. Just staring at it in the box. Nato is junk


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I figured I would feel the same. I actually like natos but to get a new watch on one doesn’t feel right. Unless it’s a NOS 5517

Tracking finally wheww

[clew84]

The nato isn’t terrible but yeah, they could’ve done much better. I wouldn’t forgo wearing it because of that though. Really enjoy wearing it while I wait on a couple of straps.


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[NardinNut]

I’m really interested in getting the X71 bracelet for this watch. Reached out to LV boutique, who sold me the Mil-Spec, but they refuse to discount the $2800 price (lame). Anyone know a good source for one at a discount? I’m also going to to reach out to DavidSW to she if he can

[Justindo]

If ordering new straight spring bars, does anyone know the thickness that would be best for the OEM sailcloth strap or tropic rubber strap?

[stormshadow]

BP NY said mine will be shipped tomorrow, overnight. I should have it Wednesday.

Watching to see if the DelRay sells it for that. I will be truthful and say I have no issues letting it go for near that and wear my 5015.