Leather Strap Replacement

[H_Kan]

Hi guys, don't know much about watches at all.

My gf is thinking of getting an Armani leather strapped watch for me for about £150, as a belated bday gift because I can't make my mind up about what I want. I don't wear watches generally although I think it would set a suit/formal clothes of nicely.

Thing is Ernest Jones seem to think that the strap will need replacing every 12 months at a cost of £50 regardless of how much I wear the watch.

Is this accurate?

If it is, then I will probably plump for a metal bracelet, so any ideas as to nice ones in that price range?

Cheers.

[tertius]

H_Kan said:

Hi guys, don't know much about watches at all.

My gf is thinking of getting an Armani leather strapped watch for me for about £150, as a belated bday gift because I can't make my mind up about what I want. I don't wear watches generally although I think it would set a suit/formal clothes of nicely.

Thing is Ernest Jones seem to think that the strap will need replacing every 12 months at a cost of £50 regardless of how much I wear the watch.

Is this accurate?

If it is, then I will probably plump for a metal bracelet, so any ideas as to nice ones in that price range?

Cheers.

The leather strap will need replacing fairly often thats true, perhaps every year if you wear it every day - it will certainly make a difference how often you wear it.

However, there is no need to pay Armani's extortionate prices (especially as they undoubtedly re-brand a third party strap) - unless it has some truly weird fitting you will be able to get a very nice strap for £10-20.

[H_Kan]

The strap kind of widens at the bit where it attatches to the case. So for the most part it is slightly narrower then the case.

No idea if this is normal or not? The original strap is quite nice leather and is black crocodile pattern style.

I'm not sure if they are trying to get me to buy the more expensive metal bracelet ones or if they are genuinely trying to be helpful.

Any other suggestions? I'm basically after a nice looking watch that will look good with more formal clothes.

Thanks.

[tertius]

H_Kan said:

The strap kind of widens at the bit where it attatches to the case. So for the most part it is slightly narrower then the case.

No idea if this is normal or not? The original strap is quite nice leather and is black crocodile pattern style.

I'm not sure if they are trying to get me to buy the more expensive metal bracelet ones or if they are genuinely trying to be helpful.

Any other suggestions? I'm basically after a nice looking watch that will look good with more formal clothes.

Thanks.

Most straps are wider at the lugs (case) than at the buckle - if that's what you mean its very common.

What sort of budget do you have?

[H_Kan]

Would like to spend £150-200, although closer to £150 is better.

I don't need anything fancy like chronographs etc, just after a good looking watch.

[tertius]

Hmm, well assuming it needs to be new, how about Christopher Ward? Don't know much about them but they look like good vfm and the few reports I've seen have been good.

Alternatively RLT or Time Factors might have something.

[sb-1]

I have a Christopher Ward Automatic,great watch!

The Malvern Automatic comes with a deployment Strap which will last considerably longer.

Steve

Edited by sb-1 on Monday 5th May 08:52

Edited by sb-1 on Monday 5th May 09:03