20/16 Alligator strap
Discussion
Does anyone know where I can get a 20/16 gator strap in a brown/red (chestnut) colour with white stitching and a buckle I can remove and replace with my blancpain buckle? The watch gallery quoted £330 for a genuine blancpain one, but (a) I don't trust them as they're stupid and (b) that seems steep to me!
Thanks in advance
Andy
Thanks in advance
Andy
I have used www.watch-band-center.com they have a huge range.
Dicky Knee said:
I have used www.watch-band-center.com they have a huge range.
I agree their range is huge and possibly my searching skills are weak but they neverseem to have many actual alligator straps.To be honest a genuine alligator strap from almost anywhere will be In the £200 range, so £330 for one that Blancpain have lovingly stamped their name on doesn't sound too bad. Especially since it will have been done by a highly trained name-stamping-on craftsman using a handmade artisan name-stamping-on machine, used by generations of name-stamping-onners with skills passed down from father to son.
Variomatic said:
20/16 or 20/18? 16's an unusually narrow buckle for a 20mm fit.
The reason I suggested custom was because of the size. I have a Speedmaster supplied originally on a 20/16 croc strap with deployant. It has been a right pain in the arse getting a. 20/16 replacement - to the point where I found it cheaper to buy an 18mm OEM deployant and a 20/18 alligator. OMMV.Well, Cousins list 20/16 gators in matt or polished finish, and the polished brown could pass as chestnut, but not with white stitching (they're an unstitched, unpadded, "dress" strap with that taper).
On the plus side, they're less than 1/3rd of the quote in the OP!
On the plus side, they're less than 1/3rd of the quote in the OP!
Edited by Variomatic on Thursday 20th November 00:01
These guys do good ones, and I've used them before, but 20/16 is an awkward size
http://www.panatime.com/
The nearest I could find was http://www.panatime.com/20hrotangete.html and that doesnt have white stitching.
http://www.panatime.com/
The nearest I could find was http://www.panatime.com/20hrotangete.html and that doesnt have white stitching.
Also try Rich at Toshi straps, I've had 3 straps from him, totally customised and excellent quality:
http://toshi-straps.co.uk/contact/
Drop him a line with your requirements and see if he can accommodate.
Edd
tertius said:
Especially since it will have been done by a highly trained name-stamping-on craftsman using a handmade artisan name-stamping-on machine, used by generations of name-stamping-onners with skills passed down from father to son.
reminds me of the episode of 'Frasier' where Niles buys a pair of Italian shoes that are 'artisan handmade' and everytime a pair is made, the church bell is rung and there's dancing in the village square'. Or something like that. Jean Rousseau are quoting about £195 for a custom strap, so I'll take mine along and see if they can do a close match...
I'll let you know when the puddings been eaten, but I was impressed that I chose the actual skin I wanted and then the part I wanted the strap made from! I chose the larger rectangular scales which then reduce to smaller ones as it is more interesting looking and it was £15 cheaper then getting the whole thing made from uniform large recrangular scales. V funny I thought!
Dominic H said:
Yeti/Lewis swears by Jean Rouseau in the Piccadilly Arcade. He's had a few custom made.
I haven't been in there since, ohhh, yesterday 
Came out with a grey ostrich 20/16 on the Patek and having a very dark blue with silver stitching made up for it as well. I love that place, I'm like a kid in a candy store! Much cheaper to get a new strap than change a watch, and it makes them totally different...
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