docblackrock

Be aware, that link shows a 20mm SM strap not a PO strap @Flav - welcome to the club

My first instincts about you were obviously right. A 3-month, 16-post (3 if you exclude PO strap threads) lurker/new recruit to our little community who thinks he has a god given right to constantly demand answers (instead of searching) to the same questions over and over again, pay no heed to what he's advised, and then have the ill manners to post such a response. Wow, how to lose friends and alienate people!!! I was trying to help you for god's sake - my tone was finally one of exasperation, patience worn thin after several reply posts across a few threads on the same subject. I'm sorry but those initials ARE irrelevant in the grand scheme of things - if you think any differently then you desperately need to get a life. Seriously. I won't even dignify your pathetic half-hearted insults with a response.

Actually Deaton's pics were only one of many refs (inc. first hand comparisons ) but I always thought posting details like this revealed a certain naivety/low intelligence/nerd-like behaviour. Figures then that you say he's a [censored]. Do tell, we're all ears.... As for being "an arrogant and over-opinionated human being", well I'm afraid to say he's not alone amongst the wider WIS community, just hang out at any of the gen boards and you'll see them in droves

Johnny, I'll give you this...you're persistent. As in dog with bone. So since it's Easter, I'll bite but this is the very last time I reply to another post about these bloody initials - christ it was a joke for those in the know....GAF the firm, as you now know! Please drop it. All I can suggest is that maybe the strap code initials (you know the ones that are unseen and therefore totally irrelevant ) may just be different either due to year of manufacture (I bought mine last autumn, Silix recently) or the location (mine in EU, Silix in Asia)??? Frankly, don't know....don't care.

Do I have to say it again??? Even though I've said it already about 5 posts up this thread??? Obviously I do... i.e. some of you need to get out more

1. Reason you've not seen it is likely because it's a new-style (2007) Aquaracer strap. 2. Suggest you ask in your local AD, they should be able to order it for you

I too have been chasing/hounding Angus on this...pre-ordered way back in October/November Heard from him yesterday on the buckle engraving.... "no signs of life....yet!" Couple of weeks back, he told me "this (project) cannot stop now...it MUST complete...(I assume referring to fact he's already invested lots in straps and buckles). So keep those fingers crossed fellas for a little while longer, I know Angus is keen as us to bring this to fruition. All good things come to those who wait

To answer both questions.... IMO it doesn't feel significantly lighter on the strap compared with the bracelet but then I swapped it out for the rubber pretty much immediately. Obviously it IS lighter but the weight concentrated in the watch itself plus the rubber gives a more natural and comfortable feel. As for wear and tear, well I've had this baby as a daily beater for at least the last 3 months, and the strap looks as good as new. Truly. I've rinsed it numerous times usually just when washing hands and the water just evaporates off in seconds leaving the nice smooth silky finish. I've only noticed very slight wear around the strap hole, and I mean 'slight'.

Yep, it's gen strap. Sorry thought that was made clear - thread title amended!

Ok ok, after much nagging/persuading (plus I managed to find my camera unpacking this evening)...as promised here are some quick pics. Might be of interest particularly to those of you waiting for the silix rep strap.... p.s. Hey Randy, you like the limestone/marble?

Headlines make nice reading... Liverpool Wrecks PSV Eindhoven in Champions League Liverpool put three past PSV Liverpool thrashes PSV 3-0 in Champions League Great result, so-so performance I felt, we really missed a creative spark, Kuyt is disappointing IMO and no replacement for lickle Luis Garcia - slight concern for what will definitely be a much tougher SF. Let's face it, PSV were absolutely woeful and on that performance in front of their home fans, have absolutely no business being in the Champions League never mind the QFs (I wonder what Ape thinks watching the side that beat his beloved Arsenal in the last round?). The major downside is losing Aurelio for the rest of the season with a ruptured Achilles gutted for him really as he is arguably our first-choice left-back just starting to show great form and would have relished playing against his old club Valencia in the SF. Hopefully we can win Number Six for him and similarly crocked Garcia. Next up tonight, Scum get battered by Roma and Valencia (and Liverpool's next striker, David Villa) do a job on Chelsea ('bye 'bye Edge - time your underperforming

I'd expect nothing less from a top class gent such as Matt

*sigh* it's gen...note the lack of dust, the smooth matt look, and the brushed flawless SS finish on the buckle incl. sharp engraving. Don't mean to sound grumpy but I wish some of you people would actually read the entire thread never mind use the bloody search function (how very 'Bricktop' of me no? ) and read all the other dozen threads on this strap - I actually posted a full set of photos in one of the original threads, including the area you 'request' I photograph . Anyway, it's exactly as per Silix photos except for the letter change - not exactly sure why anyone would want to obssess over this detail anyway as it is unseen either on or off the wrist. It was a mildly curious/amusing remark about the initials that's all. @Chronus - Athens here we come

Aha, nice to see a 1655 thread is open again and quelle surprise....Euno is here Even though I feel I've gone over this time and time again, there's some interesting opinions here.....that the 1655 is an awkward, ugly model that deserved to die in infancy....that the prices gens command are ridiculous due to it's 'perceived' rarity (controlled to some extent of course, by aforementioned cartel of collectors)....it's one for the watch box/safe queens rather than the wrist...that despite these 'faults' it's still got that 70s cool retro thing going.....and that we all want one!!! Neil's (MBK?) 1655 looks interesting...wonder if it is the same as Ken's been peddling for a while now?

Maybe someone can enlighten me here, but what's with the recent obsession with "group buys"? I mean, I can understand it on a $300+ chrono as it enables buyers to get a 10-20% discount, but really...are things that tight/worth it for a $30 strap??? Back to the dust issue, if I'm honest I always strongly suspected that even when the rep 22mm strap appeared, it would not be identical in composition (ergo feel, finish etc.) to the gen even if cosmetically it was spot on. Same issue with the SMP strap. I believe Angus' 'ultimate' PAM rubber strap has been the only attempt to date to source a gen-like rubber. Anyway back to the PO - aside from gnawing impatience it was the main reason why I bought the gen strap last autumn - even if I hadn't have got it brand new for a steal, I'd still not regret it. That said, I will be getting one of the first run CR POs with new rep strap and will post a review/comparison all being well.

An anticipatory (T-minus-24 hours) bump Apologies to all for my absence from the last round - unexpected given we dumped the holders Bar

Jeez you're no fun are you? Symptomatic of the modern consumer society, all take take take, me want now, not willing to ask around, rise to the challenge, information gather etc.... (*sigh*) go on then, click HERE

Seeing as some people don't use the search function (took me all of 60 secs), here's some 'real world' photos of my strap...

Thanks, but already set as that. Will check newer Safari tonight and let you know. Weird stuff.

If you don't know what GAF stands for and are in any way curious, suggest you walk into your local AD with a Sub prominently displayed on each wrist before nonchalantly catching the manager's attention and whispering "psssst, I can get as many as you want, no questions guv'n'r...." before leaving your contact details including home address on a scrap bit of paper. You then need relax and do nothing more as all will be revealed.... IMO? I think J&A were being superstitious Anyway for anyone looking for a gen 20mm rubber strap for the 42 PO, take a lookie HERE

Interesting, I have a spare BOB Breit strap vintage black calf, but doesn't look rubbery as in your pic. Ah well....

Hi Admin, Noticed strange problem this morning, never ever had before - making post reply and text field would only allow smilies. I now cannot post any replies at all - text fields are inactive. Never has problem before running Safari either version - have latest version at home with OS X Tiger, and older version with OS X Panther at work. Assume it's a browser support issue as can only post this using Firefox (which I'm loath to use as default). Nothing urgent, just maybe you could take a look when you have a spare moment. cheers DBR

Agreed! Or is that Disagreed?! Now if you'll excuse me I need to charge my eggshell/pearl/ivory iPod

Yep, this looks like cosmetically spot on but looks likely rubber isn't same composition as the gen. Not sure if it's 100% rubber or if there's some silicon in there to give soft feel but anyway the gen just doesn't pick up any dust at all, zilch. An interesting note - Jay had this made from gen strap but has changed one tiny detail - the code stamping under the buckle-end keeper is correct in every character EXCEPT is says 'HAF' whereas the gen has the infamous and dreaded initials 'GAF' Now that's paranoia!

Thanks for the nod Rico, not long to wait now my friend @Teejay - you can convince yourself otherwise with the aid of NATO straps, charcoal shirts you own whatever, but the two comparative photos you posted of the SM and PO straps only look different due to the lighting. The PO strap is as BLACK as the SM black rubber strap, and has a nice matte finish to it when dry. In fact just right this second I'm comparing my wrist against all the black things that surround me.....black car key (check), black leather key fob (check), black sunglasses case (check), black phone (check), black credit card (no, not that one, I wish!) yep.....it's black alright