Changing a strap on a high-end watch...

[monthefish]

I'm sure its physically possible, easy even, but is it the done thing, or is it frowned upon by the watch cognoscenti?!?

e.g. Suppose I inherited this,

but I would prefer a metal bracelet/strap, do Breitling sell a replacement bracelet/strap to fit?

Educate me please.

[TimLambert7]

Yep, strap changes are done all the time on high-end watches.

A replacement strap can be had for as little as £15, i use watchobsession for mine. As long as you know the lug width then you can order away.

Anything made by Breitling will set you back silly money.

Oh, get a jeweller to fit it for you.

[toohuge]

Brietling will be happy to sell you a bracelt for that watch, although it'll be four figures I'd imagine..... But entirely possible and people change straps and bracelets all the time.

[toohuge]

Brietling will be happy to sell you a bracelt for that watch, although it'll be four figures I'd imagine..... But entirely possible and people change straps and bracelets all the time.

[monthefish]

Thanks for info.

I was initially of the mind 'must buy Breitling strap and keep it original', but 4 figures for the strap???

[CardShark]

monthefish said:

Thanks for info.

I was initially of the mind 'must buy Breitling strap and keep it original', but 4 figures for the strap???

A strap, as in leather/fabric, won't be 4 figures but will most probably easily enter 3 figure territory if you go for Breitling's own. A (metal) bracelet will be a whole load more.

General terminology; bracelet = metal, strap = anything else

Edited by CardShark on Thursday 13th November 13:57

[monthefish]

CardShark said:

monthefish said:

Thanks for info.

I was initially of the mind 'must buy Breitling strap and keep it original', but 4 figures for the strap???

A strap, as in leather/fabric, won't be 4 figures but will most probably easily enter 3 figure territory if you go for Breitling's own. A (metal) bracelet will be a whole load more.

General terminology; bracelet = metal, strap = anything else

Edited by CardShark on Thursday 13th November 13:57

Ahh, thanks, yes must get the lingo right!

Yes, bracelet is what I meant. (just sounds a bit camp though - never thought of myself as a bracelet wearing kind of a guy!)

[yeti]

Sadly a bracelt will cost you moiney unless you get lucky and find one on eBay. Anything else would look daft.

Experiment with some leather/rubber straps for now. And buy a decent strap change tool, it'll save you money first time you don't slip and damage the watch!

[Variomatic]

yeti said:

Sadly a bracelt will cost you moiney unless you get lucky and find one on eBay. Anything else would look daft.

The "official" bracelet for this is a bog standard 5-row brushed / polished with straight ends. You could find something similar / suitable just about anywhere that stocks bracelets:



(that's from breitling.com btw, so it's what they'd put on it)

[Mad March Taffy]

You mean something like this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100-Genuine-Breitling-S-...

And I thought that Omega bracelets were expensive!!

[Spice_Weasel]

The general rule is buy on the bracelet and then source a leather strap. You'll be able to find the right style/look on sites such as this:

http://www.watch-band-center.com/watchstrap-h262-R...

The brands are well-known and well-respected, and in some cases, actually make the OEMs' straps for them.

An alternative is to buy on the bracelet and ask the dealer to throw in a leather strap as part of the deal.

[Spice_Weasel]

Having re-read the thread, my above reply is obviously of no help if you just want a bracelet.

You could try Ofrei or Cousins who sell OEM parts

[Variomatic]

Spice_Weasel said:

Having re-read the thread, my above reply is obviously of no help if you just want a bracelet.

You could try Ofrei or Cousins who sell OEM parts

Still a useful link seeing as they have similar style metal bracelets starting from about 20 yoyos (folded type) and offer solid link as well (couldn't be bothered to trawl through them for matches!)

[monthefish]

Mad March Taffy said:

You mean something like this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100-Genuine-Breitling-S-...

And I thought that Omega bracelets were expensive!!

Spot on.

Expensive, but probably (just) worth it.

[Variomatic]

monthefish said:

Expensive, but probably (just) worth it.

How is that wrth it when you can get this, to virtually identical pattern as the (correct) original, in solid links (like the original), for a saving of over £550?

http://www.watch-band-center.com/watchstrap-p5689h...



Note that the one on EBay is the wrong bracelet for the model anyway, so even as "genuine" it will still be wrong!

As for the general question of changing straps / bracelets - they're (usually) removable parts that can be swapped and swapped back again as many times as you like without affecting originality, so not a problem at all using non original!

[monthefish]

Variomatic said:

monthefish said:

Expensive, but probably (just) worth it.

How is that wrth it when you can get this, to virtually identical pattern as the (correct) original, in solid links (like the original), for a saving of over £550?

For the same logic that I could buy an entire (aesthetically) virtually identical watch for £200, saving over £2,000.

i.e if money was the main consdieration, and just needed something on my wrist to twll the time, I could just buy a cheap casio.

I do see what you're saying, but to me, it would be a bit like people who buy double cuff shirts and then use the 'placeholder knot' cufflinks...
(i.e. if you can't afford cufflinks, what are you doing buying a double cuff shirt? )

Edited by monthefish on Friday 14th November 12:39

[Variomatic]

Except that it's not just aesthetically the same - it's the same functionally and in terms of quality as well (Breitling don't have their own secret blend of stainless steel last time I looked), and makes no difference whatsoever to the resale value in future because it's completely removable (not usually a consideration with shirts )

I can understand the point about "names", but £550 is an awful lot to pay just for a name, especially if the end result is going to be aesthetically "wrong" for the model anyway!

[don logan]

Swapping straps and bracelets is great way to enjoy your watch, I`m constantly swapping stuff on Breitlings and Rolexes etc

Try giving Andrew Michaels in Newark a call, he`s great for oddball stuff and very helpful

This is my Skyland with a custom made alcantara strap to fit a deployant clasp