Planet Ocean - Cloth Black Strap

[FerdiZ28]

Morning all - and especially Enrico!

Tried on the new planet ocean (simple dial, no chronos) in Fraser Hart yesterday, thinking about it as a daily. The one I tried on had the stainless strap, which felt great, its the size I like, the weight and I liked the colouring (black face with orange accents).

Thing is, I think it doesn't represent much of a departure from my current daily which is a TAG Formula 1, had it nearly 10 years and it has been faultless. I have a dress watch in the shape of a Grand Carrera 8 with a white face, again with a stainless bracelet. I also have an ancient battered G SHOCK for work involving dirt and scraped knuckles.

My question is does anyone wear a "nice" watch but with a cloth strap option, does anyone think it a bit of an oxymoron, 5k watch with a poundshop strap?

Images thus for comparison:

Cloth


Stainless



I know the strap is interchangeable but was quoted 500 for the privilege of changing.

Any advice welcomed, or if anyone can think of anything similar I might like?

[Spice_Weasel]

Rule of thumb is buy on the bracelet as a leather or rubber strap can always be sourced more reasonably.

I'd buy the bracelet version then for a strap similar to your picture try Cousins UK which will have OEM and aftermarket options.
For aftermarket straps I recommend this eBay seller: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20mm-22mm-Rubber-Strap-...

I have no affiliation but have picked up many IWC style straps and buckles from them. I rate the quality.

[FerdiZ28]

Spice_Weasel said:

Rule of thumb is buy on the bracelet as a leather or rubber strap can always be sourced more reasonably.

I'd buy the bracelet version then for a strap similar to your picture try Cousins UK which will have OEM and aftermarket options.
For aftermarket straps I recommend this eBay seller: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20mm-22mm-Rubber-Strap-...

I have no affiliation but have picked up many IWC style straps and buckles from them. I rate the quality.

Good advice, many thanks Simon. Makes sense to buy the more comlpicated one if it is the same price and then downgrade the strap - more choice there too, nice spot.

[hilly10]

The sail cloth strap on the PO is stunning and I would wear that just as much as a bracelet

[FerdiZ28]

hilly10 said:

The sail cloth strap on the PO is stunning and I would wear that just as much as a bracelet

Cheers - I think I need to see it, does it feel like it is engineered to age/become frayed or would you say it maintains a new lustre?

[Wills2]

That's not a cloth strap it's rubber same as on my old 9900 PO.

Edited by Wills2 on Tuesday 24th April 18:25

[FerdiZ28]

Wills2 said:

That's not a cloth strap it's rubber same as on my old 9900 PO.



Ah right! Having not seen it in the flesh I assumed it was woven cloth (sort of like a seatbelt). This allays fears of it fraying.

Cheers Rob.

Edited by Wills2 on Tuesday 24th April 18:25

[hilly10]

Wills2 said:

That's not a cloth strap it's rubber same as on my old 9900 PO.

Edited by Wills2 on Tuesday 24th April 18:25

Even better, a lot harder wearing. Might look at one for my PO

[Wills2]

hilly10 said:

Even better, a lot harder wearing. Might look at one for my PO

Yes it's a lovely strap very comfortable and comes in a variety of accent colours not just orange/black.

[Squadrone Rosso]

Stunning watch

[hilly10]

Wills2 said:

Yes it's a lovely strap very comfortable and comes in a variety of accent colours not just orange/black.

Just wondering if the orange on your strap will look as good as the orange on my earlier PO

[Wills2]

hilly10 said:

Just wondering if the orange on your strap will look as good as the orange on my earlier PO

I don't have the PO 9900 anymore it was lovely but too tall on the wrist so I flipped it on after 6 months I'm still trying to find a replacement though.

I like the 2500 PO it's a very well proportioned watch width vs height vs length, I wear a late 45.5mm 2500D as a daily at the moment.

[hilly10]

Wills2 said:

I don't have the PO 9900 anymore it was lovely but too tall on the wrist so I flipped it on after 6 months I'm still trying to find a replacement though.

I like the 2500 PO it's a very well proportioned watch width vs height vs length, I wear a late 45.5mm 2500D as a daily at the moment.

I agree and said many times I prefer the 2500 just because its just that tad thinner.

[Wills2]

hilly10 said:

I agree and said many times I prefer the 2500 just because its just that tad thinner.

For me the perfect ratio width to height is 3-1 the 45.5 is 15mm high giving a near perfect ratio, it hides its height by sinking into your wrist and has slim case sides, I had a chronograph Santos 100XL that was 15mm as well but that looked like a house brick.

The 2500 is a classic and good value.

Edited by Wills2 on Friday 27th April 20:00

[hilly10]

Wills2 said:

For me the perfect ratio width to height is 3-1 the 45.5 is 15mm high giving a new perfect ratio, it hides its height by sinking into your wrist and has slim case sides, I had a chronograph Santos 100XL that was 15mm as well but that looked like a house brick.

The 2500 is a classic and good value.

I also have a minter 300 Professional which I think sits even better and also now becoming a classic and in this condition quite rare

Edited by hilly10 on Friday 27th April 19:28

[FerdiZ28]

hilly10 said:

Just wondering if the orange on your strap will look as good as the orange on my earlier PO

That’s beautiful, I prefer it to the later one. Are these still available?

[Wills2]

FerdiZ28 said:

That’s beautiful, I prefer it to the later one. Are these still available?

Only second hand they stopped them around 2012 IIRC.

[mitchm]

hilly10 said:

I also have a minter 300 Professional which I think sits even better and also now becoming a classic and in this condition quite rare

Edited by hilly10 on Friday 27th April 19:28

Picked up a real minter like this a couple of months ago absolutely love it , wearing on the bracelet but may get a rubber to change things up a bit

[liner33]

I've fallen for the PO big time

Just need to work out how much I could get for my first born or if I am willing to part with my Seamaster 25318000 (First Auto) to help fund it