Hi there, fellow members. So I finally am closing in to get among the APholics. In this craze these days over the AP ROO Diver, I did not follow the mainstream. So, my first AP, a Ti Montoya, is finally on the way to me, after some stressfull days with QC-pics and evaluation. It is my most expensive REP ever.
Even so, I have learned that it is not complete, without a proper high quality strap.
So, in the meantime, I have done a fair amount of scrolling down the sites for the assorted straps from APBANDS. They do have a Montoya style strap, but I thought it looked too much like the one bundled with the watch. Instead I finally landed on an Illustre Deep Ocean Blue Crocodile made per OEM size to fit the newer case ROO with deployant clasp (this: http://apbands.com/s...Product_Count=1)
What do you people think of this combo? I am truly excited. Once I discovered the real feel of a GEN reptile strap (a while back I ordered a Vintage Gold GEN Python strap from Panatime for my PAM359, a stunning strap for this watch, by the way) I will simply not settle for the look-alike straps. For me, it must be real reptile leather, or else you should only settle for a standard leather strap.
The difference from a real reptile band and a "look-alike" or "croc/alligator grain", is like comparing a tailor-made italian suit and a suit at WallMart.
The wis people who know APBANDS say they are the best and offers a fit to the case, unmatched by no one else. I hope so, since it costs nearly an arm and a leg (almost 290USD with freight). These straps are "handmade" in Italy. Some of their customers even report back that it "is better than OEM at half price". They also stock real Hornback Croc straps, but they are from 349USD ++. I think it is a little too much, that is the price of a REP AP ROO Diver V3.
But, what have i done??? When I come to think of it, this combo will have a total retail price of about 900 USD. Luckily I got a small discount, so I am about 50 USD below that. I think I must be a little crazy.
One could purchase a GEN for that price, at least a midrange quartz;-)
I will arrange pictures once it is in my possesion. I ordered the strap yesterday, and it was shipped already, yesterday evening! APBANDS seems very quick, once they have items in stock. Only downside was express freight costs about 60USD (FedEx 1-3days). I could have opted for a slower freight at half that price, but risking it takes another two weeks and I have no patience