Watch straps - need help (probably being dim)

[cymatty]

I recently tried on a Breitling Superocean 42 and I like it a lot, however my last watch was titanium and so this felt really heavy, when I tried it on the rubber strap it was much better.

I was therefore thinking of buying it on the metal bracelet (as this seems the consensus) and then buying the rubber strap for the odd occasion when I would swap but looking at the prices I am not sure that it seems worth it.

The prices of the various options are below, the cheaper rubber strap is buckle not clasp



From the same site the prices of straps are below





I guess my questions are

1) Am I right that if I go for metal bracelet I need to spend a minimum of £250 for the rubber bracelet + the uplift in watch cost (another £130)?

2)If I go for the rubber strap I am looking at over £700 to add the metal strap and buckle

3)That I would be silly to go for the cheaper buckle type strap, as this would be an everyday watch having a shiny clasp mechanism that costs more that will get smashed up on desks etc seems a bit pointless

Thanks

[randlemarcus]

Answer seems to be buy the bracelet version, and immediately swap it for the rubber strap. Extra bonus points for buying pre-loved. Then when you sell, you get the higher price for the bracelet version, with the convenience of the rubber strap version. One thing to be aware of is do you like wearing the rubber strap? I had one on a smartwatch, and loathed it.

[cymatty]

randlemarcus said:

Answer seems to be buy the bracelet version, and immediately swap it for the rubber strap. Extra bonus points for buying pre-loved. Then when you sell, you get the higher price for the bracelet version, with the convenience of the rubber strap version. One thing to be aware of is do you like wearing the rubber strap? I had one on a smartwatch, and loathed it.

I have a fitbit and its fine unless I have it too tight. The preowned ones I have seen in the UK are more than buying new from that site with a warranty etc.

I am trying to understand if my maths is right, if I buy the bracelet version I have to spend another £250 on the rubber strap?

[WhisperingWasp]

With regards to point 2) I expect the bracelet comes with a built-in buckle so-to-speak. So the cost to add the bracelet is “just” £575. Unless I’ve misunderstood you here.

So options are:

1) buy on rubber @ £2,590 and add bracelet @ £575. Total cost £3,165
2) buy on bracelet @ £2,725 and add rubber strap @ £50 + £200. Total cost £2,975

Second option seems much better to me.

[silentbrown]

Seems mad. Surely you can just get the rubber strap for £60? https://www.breitling.com/gb-en/straps/rubber/?sea...

[cymatty]

WhisperingWasp said:

With regards to point 2) I expect the bracelet comes with a built-in buckle so-to-speak. So the cost to add the bracelet is “just” £575. Unless I’ve misunderstood you here.

So options are:

1) buy on rubber @ £2,590 and add bracelet @ £575. Total cost £3,165
2) buy on bracelet @ £2,725 and add rubber strap @ £50 + £200. Total cost £2,975

Second option seems much better to me.

If the metal bracelet comes with a clasp buckle then it would be a similar price to buy the cheaper rubber strap version @£2400 and then add metal bracelet. Unless I can find a way to buy the pin buckle rubber strap

[cymatty]

silentbrown said:

Seems mad. Surely you can just get the rubber strap for £60? https://www.breitling.com/gb-en/straps/rubber/?sea...

They all say buckle not included.

[Dan_1981]

Do you have big manly wrists or small puny ones?

I picked up a SOHII recently on rubber & the strap doesn't tighten enough for my puny wrists & no option to cut to length...

[cymatty]

Dan_1981 said:

Do you have big manly wrists or small puny ones?

I picked up a SOHII recently on rubber & the strap doesn't tighten enough for my puny wrists & no option to cut to length...

Just measured at 6.75 inch or 17cm so not sure what category that is. The pin buckle version I tried on wasn't at either Extreme of the strap iirc.

I think if you get the deployment clasp you have to cut to fit

[Dan_1981]

cymatty said:

Dan_1981 said:

Do you have big manly wrists or small puny ones?

I picked up a SOHII recently on rubber & the strap doesn't tighten enough for my puny wrists & no option to cut to length...

Just measured at 6.75 inch or 17cm so not sure what category that is. The pin buckle version I tried on wasn't at either Extreme of the strap iirc.

I think if you get the deployment clasp you have to cut to fit

Yeah deployment is cut to fit, pin buckle is fixed length.

If you've tried on then you should be fine... something I should have done!

[WhisperingWasp]

cymatty said:

WhisperingWasp said:

With regards to point 2) I expect the bracelet comes with a built-in buckle so-to-speak. So the cost to add the bracelet is “just” £575. Unless I’ve misunderstood you here.

So options are:

1) buy on rubber @ £2,590 and add bracelet @ £575. Total cost £3,165
2) buy on bracelet @ £2,725 and add rubber strap @ £50 + £200. Total cost £2,975

Second option seems much better to me.

If the metal bracelet comes with a clasp buckle then it would be a similar price to buy the cheaper rubber strap version @£2400 and then add metal bracelet. Unless I can find a way to buy the pin buckle rubber strap

Ah yes I see the pin buckle would be £2,405 + £575 = £2,980 so pretty much the same as bracelet + rubber. However, with this option you get the inferior (arguably, I like a tang buckle tbf) buckle for a fiver more total so still makes sense to go for bracelet one way or another then add either the deployant or tang option (if you can find one).

[silentbrown]

cymatty said:

They all say buckle not included.

Ah. I hadn't even realized that the pin buckles were removable.

So those straps need a pin buckle (not a deployment strap), which it seems you can't actually buy ...

You can probably pick up a decent used (or 'cloned') pin buckle fairly cheaply?

[WhisperingWasp]

Not sure if legit.

https://eieiwatchstraps.com/Genuine-Brand-New-Brei...

[cymatty]

I found this which I assume is legit and is £120 for strap and pin buckle, just a 6-12 week wait

https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/breitlin...