Definitely dark. Dark brown or Black sometimes. Dark calf, dark gator, dark buffalo - do not like any light colored straps.
Bought one once and used dark shoe polish on it which actually turned out better than expected. I have also dyed straps with leather dye to get closer to what I want.
I really rely on member pictures of their straps to get the best idea of what they look like. Can't generally trust the pictures from the suppliers and have been disappointed.
Usil
Flavor Fav - Nice looking Ebel. I like the strap with it too.
Say, I am just looking at my Ingeneur AMG and I can swear that the red second hand and the hour/minute hands are nearly identical. Strange.
Usil
Got you beat TTK. I paid 195 USD for my IWC Ing. AMG from a member with bracelet and strap. I like the red second hand combination with the rest of the dial and hands. I agree about not to heavy or thick. Big enough but not oversized. Good design and engineering in this model.
There have been lots of good deals from members lately. Just paid 30 USD for a Pam Black Seal that runs well. I like these deals because I can dissasemble, clean up, polish and re-band and not have paid a lot for the final project. Maybe practice re-luming.
Got a Breitling Bentley for about 1/2 price from a member too. Perfect condition.
Usil
Yes, I like it. I have it in Titainium. I did not buy this last year when they were floating around a lot but always thought that there was something about the understated simplicity. Then I got one recently from a member and the size, fit and finish were more than I expected. I wore it all last week. I like IWC a lot.
And, as always - great shots.
Usil
Very interesting. Let us know how long he lasts. He can probably set up shop for a month, make a killing and move on. Maybe he has local protection from the law?
Usil
Maybe it is just me but I like Stainless Steel a lot better. I just have a problem of buying a watch for that price that is made out of the same material as a crock pot.
Usil
Nice setup. Great job.
How do you scrape the old lume off before you apply the new?
When you apply it do you do it one thin layer at a time alloying it to dry in between?
Usil
Interesting that yours actually unscrews and has a spring. Mine just spins and looks like there is no thread and no spring. Maybe just more sloppyness in assembly. When I disassembled the watch, I saw the same end you show in yours.
I also examined the crown threads as these have been notoriously bad too on this model. Here is a picture looking inside.
Note all the crud inside and the threads are virtually non-existant.
I used this camera set-up to take the picture.
Usil
There are no screws, it is just a post sticking into the watch. It is supposed to be a press fit but because of the sloppy tolerances it sometimes floats around and spins when you turn it. If you can get it tighter on your watch your tolerances are marginally better and allow for a little press fit to take place. The looser the tolerances the more liklely it will leak. I would never advise another person with a rep that it is ok to swim with them. Way too risky.
Usil
Holy mackeral - you hit the motherload.
That first one with PVD finish. Is that the Favre Leuba you mention? I made a comment a few months ago about how nice a PO would look in all black (one member did a Photoshop work up of it and it waas fantastic). This is even better.
Darn, should have payed attention - these are Gens.
Usil