Off to look at some OEM straps!

[Speed]

They are supposed to have a variety of black leather & crocs deployant & tang varieties... After my frustration with aftermarket straps, I am hoping that Panerais do the trick.

Will report back later folks. Wish me luck.

[nc42acc]

Hey Bill what type of problems did you have with aftermarket straps? Who did you find the most troublesome?

[Speed]

Too thick...the tang buckle on the Heroic18 straps I ordered rode up my wrist on the 6 o'clock side...looked pretty silly IMHO.

Dont get me wrong, the Heroics look nice!!! Fit was the issue

OEM straps should be thinner...also looking for deployant models.

[nc42acc]

Bill you are right about the aftermarket straps. Definitely a different feel and look from the deployment types. I have found the softest of the aftermarkets I own are the most comfortable to wear. Good luck with your search.

[esm]

what happened to the calf leather it came with?

[Speed]

Originally Posted by esm

what happened to the calf leather it came with?

Johnny Cash and I have something in common...we like Black...

Still at the AD. I will have a proper AD rant to share later today.

Grrrr!

[mfer]

Originally Posted by Speed

Johnny Cash and I have something in common...we like Black...

Still at the AD. I will have a proper AD rant to share later today.

Grrrr!

uhhh ohhhh.

There are other sources for AD straps.

check out www.watches24seven.com. This is Bruce/Kevin, but Bruce also sells many OEMs and can probable get you whatever you want.

[B. Doggy]

Bill,

Know this about after-market straps: They fit each of us differently and you need to discover which one works best for YOU. There is some trial & error. Appropriate sizing will come with time...

OEM's are great and they look pretty sexy, too. It's just that you can't beat the other guys as they are tough as nails. Moreover, the price for an OEM will often eclipse even the most prestigious after-market dudes.

Buy what you like and try out what we recommended above.

Good luck and have some fun with it!!

[Zirotti]

The aftermarket straps are the biggest reason I love PAMs. It separates Panerai from every other watch on the planet.

[Mosco]

Originally Posted by Zirotti

The aftermarket straps are the biggest reason I love PAMs. It separates Panerai from every other watch on the planet.

That's EXACTLY what drove me to move forward with the Gonzo! Now I just need a Pam had several, but they didn't sing to me. Never owned a 1950's case, so the 312 is on the horizon. All the other ones I want are too pricey - like 289 or 277

[Joey_V]

I love the oems and I'm hopefully beginning to accumulate a few of them each time I go to my AD.

He's still got 2 on hold for me.... I'm thinking JV and something else.

Hey Bill... what's the AD rant???

[Badfish179]

I plan on takin' a little trip down to Madison Ave tomorrow to look at straps myself. I want the rubber one. I figure while I'm there I'll go visit RSC New York. It's on the next block. I'll take photos and let you know how I make out.

[Speed]

OK...Just had a lovely dinner with my wife at a new little French Bistro a block and a half from our house. What a contrast to my little black Alligator strap adventure today.

Care to read my story / rant? Here it is.

In the end things turned out OK, but never will I go to this AD again...if I can help it. May be hard as they are the only Panerai AD around.

BTW, I just looked at Mik's OEM strap site. I did not want to wait for shipping...as I wanted the strap for a weekend trip, but dang, those are good prices. I will be shopping there next.

Here goes...

I call the Shreve in Palo Alto, a 45 minute drive for me. I recall the San Francisco store had little to no straps in stock AND the help there is either arrogant or nowhere to be found. A semi-terse guy answers the phone and goes to check on my request - black Alligator for deployant. Says he has one...do I want it put on...I say yes. My screwdriver broke. He says, Sorry, our watchmaker is not in on Sunday...You should have him put it on as the deployant is tricky. I say OK thanks. He suggests calling first so I do not make the drive for nothing - when I am ready to come down....

Later I decide to go for a drive to Shreve anyway. I figure I can put the strap on later...myself or get done by someone else.

I get to the store, and ask for the guy I spoke to on the phone. I am told he is with a customer, and to come back in 15 minutes. I say, is he the only person who can help me? The guy mumbles something resembling a yes...

I come back in 20 min and the same counter person says, that's so and so over there. He knows you are here...but he is helping someone who has an urgent special order and it's not here yada, yada... Can you come back in 20 minutes.

OK...come back a 3rd time? Well Hell...I am here. A 45 minute drive home awaits...so I figure ok.

I go have a sandwich and come back. An hour or so has passed. I see the guy behind the counter...he does not look happy to see me...maybe the customers he serviced worked him over...I don't know...but I figured I would get an apology...or something after three return trips.

I said I called about the Panerai straps...he says I have to go get them. I thought you said you would come during the week? I say, my plans changed.

He comes back with a plastic tub of Alligator straps and starts sorting through them...he seems ticked that I don't know the code on the packaging to pick the right strap. As he goes through the entire box, there are only two or three that will work. He make a comment like All that time for only a few Straps...

I figure by that time, I just want the black one...so I say I will take it. He makes a smarmy joke that the price is now $695...Ha Ha.

I tell him I drove 45 miles here because the service at Palo Alto is so poor. He says begrudgingly, We appreciate you coming... I notice there are no tubes in the strap and ask for a set. He says they don't come with any. I say, I will pay for some...he says they don't have any... I will need to take some off my straps at home.

I was intending to look at some Leather straps as well, but at this point I want to get the heck out of there before I lose my cool...

< Sidebar >
Now week before last I was in the store as some of you know. A TRFer tipped me off that the Palo Alto Shreve store had one PAM 111 in stock. When I got there, the people said they had none. Then one person spoke up to say they actually had one "on hold" ...but I could look at it. I did....and I was sold on the Sammy dial. LOVED IT. A sales person took my # and said they would call if the buyer flaked. I guess he did not.

After this ordeal, I find someone on TRF via another TRF'er...someone I trust for his good, solid advice. A Prince of a guy.... He was selling his 111, so I was in luck! A flawless transaction and a good price and extra bits... the point of this side track is I almost spent $6,000 in that store!

< End of Sidebar >

OK, still with me??? I call the San Francisco Shreve from my car and ask for the service dept. A very, very nice guy named Gino answers and say sure he can put the strap on for me...but they close at 5:00 so I hightail it up there and park downtown - which I HATE doing.

I wait for one pair of customers and meet Gino. A nice young guy sporting a Two Tone Sub. He takes my watch says he may not have tubes since Panerai does not allow them to have parts...Luckily though he had some.

I rant a little about my experience...he apologizes for the sales people and we have a nice conversation about Panerai and watches etc...I tell him he is a Rock Star and made my day.

So all well's that ends well...

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest!!!

Here are a couple of quick snaps...

[Joey_V]

Atleast you got your strap! Nice one.... how much did that set you back?

Do you like deployment straps vs those on a tang?

[Speed]

I paid full MSRP...but next one will be from Mik's site above...

LOVE the deployant feel / fit ...but there is a microscopic screw you must deal with to attach the buckle. Not for the queasy - or those without the tool...I am going to leave this fine Croc on the deployant. Don't want to have to go to the AD each time to change the strap

The after market tangs on the Heroics dwarf my wrist and ride up the 6:0'clock side so they basically sit on the side of my wrist...Is that supposed to happen? They may not be for me.

Have yet to try an authentic PAM Tang or Pre V...are these smaller than Heroics??

[mfer]

Bill, you must have really wanted that strap. I would have told that AD to kiss my grits.

Call Chad at the Beverly Hills boutique and tell him of your misadventure. He'll give you free tubes as well. That is BS that they don't have tubes b/c they are genuine Panerai parts. It's a fricking metal straw!!!!!!

BTW, don't discount all aftermarket straps. The H18's have some of the BIGGEST buckles and are pretty thick.

Also, if you don't like the big buckles, look into thumbnail buckles. Very low profile and you can get aftermarket ones that are only like 15-25 dollars. Here is a pic. Very dressy. Also, this buckle is very easy to change.

[Speed]

Bill, you must have really wanted that strap. I would have told that AD to kiss my grits.

Call Chad at the Beverly Hills boutique and tell him of your misadventure. He'll give you free tubes as well. That is BS that they don't have tubes b/c they are genuine Panerai parts. It's a fricking metal straw!!!!!!

BTW, don't discount all aftermarket straps. The H18's have some of the BIGGEST buckles and are pretty thick.


Thanks Mik!

I guess I was thinking how much time / gas / my Sunday I had spent driving to Shreve... I wanted to accomplish SOMETHING

Thanks for the tip for the LA Boutique. Will look into them. I REALLY like your OEM site you sent me. I have an email into them as well re: another strap. Good savings!

Yes. I should not discount ALL aftermkt straps...


I ordered spare screws, tubes and a screwdriver from Panatime.com today...

[Joey_V]

Bill,

The Pam Tang/PreV buckles are a LOT smaller and lower profile than the aftermarket you have. Here is my pic...

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Joey_V

Bill,

The Pam Tang/PreV buckles are a LOT smaller and lower profile than the aftermarket you have. Here is my pic...

How much are those / where (besides your kind AD) would you suggest I get one???

[Joey_V]

Originally Posted by Speed

How much are those / where (besides your kind AD) would you suggest I get one???

I wonder if my AD has extras...

You can't find the Tang in your area?

[ocwatching]

Bill, so sorry to hear about your experience...

is amazing these ADs and how they do business...

anyhow...I know you are looking at OEMs and that you will pickup more OEMs...I would also consider HK Tan...

Its my beater croc strap for work and its thin and comfy. You can custom order the width and the padding. Just a suggestion.