OK, Here we go. Yes the chinese are offering much finer stapes than they ever have. They are offering
supposedly "high quality leather straps, same as genuine". They also are offering Exoitc strap also.
Do i think a $100 Chinese strap is worth it? Not in my opinion... I would rather pay $300 for a custom
strap where I know the quality is there, I also know the I will be getting the finest leather and the best
workmanship.
The chinese are ok if someone can not afford to go to the better Strap Makers.
The chinese are brilliant business men and marketing genius's.
Look at the Panerai watch offerings from our dealers.. Every Ultimate Version states
"Best Replica To Date.", or AR done by Same Factory as Swiss. Come on,
this is a bunch of baloney..
My final thought would be..Buy your watches from China, and find a nice Strap maker
that you like his style and that you can communicate. I am finding lately there ther
are some very high end Strap Makers in China and Thailand.
Now these guys can give you a strap for $100, and its well worth the $100.
You can more for your money in china IMO. Their costs are lower, there
living expense are lower, therefore they pass this to you. Labor rate
is much cheaper overseas.
i will help you out and give you a big tip. A very close friend of mine
has been dealing with a strap maker Overseas.
His work is as good as it gets. He states on his blog sit that his
straps are $40 to $75.
Email address is: pan-stasiu@wp.pl (corrected email address)
Good Luck My Friend,
MM