Breitling Leather Strap

[jeeperz0]

I bought a Navitimer 18 months ago, the AD told me it was fine for everyday use as long as I was not a builder. The leather strap keeper, the bit that you tuck the tongue of the strap into has fallen apart. I took it back to the A who said 'oh they usually only last a year, you have done well' !!! A new one is £120 !! and its going to last a year !! He seemed impressed it had lasted so well !! Seems to me like very poor quality. Needless to say the strap is not under warranty. He said I could buy the bracelet,'they last almost for ever' at £1100 so they should. Should I accept this appaling quality or make a fuss. Not fit for purpose or durable etc etc ?

[Stuart]

Sorry to say that leather straps just don't last, and what the AD has said is about spot on. The good thing is that an after market leather strap (which you should be able to get to match perfectly) will fit the watch, including the Breitling buckle/deployant clasp.

It always makes good sense to go for the metal bracelet option at the time of purchase simply because most watch firms charge such ridiculous amounts as aftermarket items. Leather straps on the other hand can be bought for pennies by comparison, and should really be seen as consumable items.

Have a lool at www.watchworx.co.uk and see if they have something which matches what that watch came with. Once you've changed the metal work for the Breitling branded stuff, you'll hardly see the difference.

[andy tims]

Leather straps do wear out & some people have sweat that is more "corrosive" than others. I wouldn't bother getting stressed out with the Dealer TBH.

Just buy a decent after-market jobby from the likes of http://www.watch-band-center.com/shop-watchstrap.h... for about £40.00. The quality will probably be much better than the the one Breitling stamped their name on.

[Stuart]

Snap, Andy...

Cheers for that link. I hadn't heard of this place before.

[andy tims]

Stuart said:

Snap, Andy...

www.watchworx.co.uk are good - used them many times, but the other guys do some of the better quality stuff at very reasonable prices.

[Stuart]

To the OP - Di-Modell is the brand that I've had before and which are very good, ditto Hirsch.

[jeeperz0]

Thanks very much everyone for the links, will be following them up, and not buying Breitling anymore !!

[Stuart]

Good luck. Remember to measure the width of the strap at the top and bottom (the buckle) before ordering if you want to hang onto the buckle.

[bins]

You can try the BOB straps at WACCEX shop on ebay
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/WACCEX-SHOP__W0QQ_fsubZQ2...