JohnG Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 I posted these pics in the strap section but thought the Breitling guys would like to see it too... Back in March I had an idea that has taken more than six months to see to fruition, but here it is.... As most here know, the ProII bracelet is too thin on this rep. I did not want to spend $500 on a gen bracelet so I started to look at straps but none of them excited me. Then I imagined a leather strap using the beautiful Ocean Racer deployant clasp. As I searched and searched, I did find one person at TZ who had done this combination with a black strap on a black-dialed SA. I found a dealer in GZ (non-board approved) willing to sell me the impeccable replica of this clasp WITHOUT the rubber. I then had the clasp shipped to Bo at Gorilla Straps and the wait began.... The first strap arrived too short unfortunately. Instead of 16.5cm it was 15.5cm and the adjustment on this strap is minimal so it was just too tight. Bo said send it back and off it went.... This past week it finally arrived and this time it is PERFECT. Bo even engraved the underside of the strap with the Breitling logo on one side and "1884" on the other side. He is a true perfectionist. On to the pics: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanh Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 WOW - all I can say is WOW!! That is an amazing look and the quality is stunning!! Now I'm having to re-think my next purchase (AGAIN) after seeing this..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OmegaPOFL Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 niceeeee john!! can you show us the engraving bo did?? i didn't know he did those Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P4GTR Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 Thats going to go down in rep history. LOVE it. The face resting against the rocks freaks me out a little though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pokerpot Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 That strap is absolutely ridiculous! So nice!!! Now throw a gen dial in there and you'll be good to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bike Mike Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 Wow that is beautiful! I wish Breitling would come up with the deployment clasp like this for their leather straps as what they have now is very uncomfortable on my wrist and once they take a "set" there is no fine adjusting them as they work back into that set. Nice job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted October 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 Thanks guys!!!! @P4GTR, I put it VERY VERY GENTLY onto that rock, don't doubt that!!! And I will take a pic of the engraving (it is burned in actually) in the next few days, I am BEAT now, but soon, I promise! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roma Leo Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 great watch strap combo. the thicker strap gives it the good look IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chronoluvvv Posted October 13, 2009 Report Share Posted October 13, 2009 very nice how much for the custom work ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted October 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2009 very nice how much for the custom work ? I think the strap was $70 and the clasp was about $30 or $35 plus shipping. Well worth the price for a totally unique piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wimpie007 Posted October 13, 2009 Report Share Posted October 13, 2009 Very very nice. Great combo. Although i second guessed myself 10 times: "Did he really put it face down on that rock,is it a picture of a rock, Noooo!!! A real rock!" Be nice to watches ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krpster Posted October 13, 2009 Report Share Posted October 13, 2009 That looks fantastic! Great idea that I'm sure many will follow. Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted October 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2009 Although i second guessed myself 10 times: "Did he really put it face down on that rock,is it a picture of a rock, Noooo!!! A real rock!" Be nice to watches ;-) I was GENTLE. But the sapphire is less likely to scratch than the stainless case in any event. But don't worry, not a scratch on it after my photo session, after all the waiting to have this combo in my hands I am not going to spoil it now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wothrottle Posted October 14, 2009 Report Share Posted October 14, 2009 GREAT ! awesome combo and much better looking than the gen leather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pokerpot Posted October 14, 2009 Report Share Posted October 14, 2009 I think the strap was $70 and the clasp was about $30 or $35 plus shipping. Well worth the price for a totally unique piece. It won't be so unique after you give up the supplier of that clasp. C'mon, let me have it please. PM me or post it here. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P4GTR Posted October 14, 2009 Report Share Posted October 14, 2009 Just post it. If you had a good experience, we should know about it. Tell us how much it was, too. Things are too much of a PITA already in this hobby to be hush-hush about people who throw us crumbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted October 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2009 Just post it. If you had a good experience, we should know about it. Tell us how much it was, too. Things are too much of a PITA already in this hobby to be hush-hush about people who throw us crumbs. Contact Julia at watchgallery88@gmail.com - as I recall it was $30 or $35, plus shipping. I have had limited experience with her but what I have had has been good. I know a couple of other guys who have used her, no problems, but use at your own risk. She is still somewhat of an unknown quantity. Does accept PayPal though, so there's that. Good luck and POST PICS if you do straps!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eton Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 Looks Great, I love the combination! Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 That really is stuunning, just stunning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 What sizes do the Ocean racer clasps come in???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star69 Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 What sizes do the Ocean racer clasps come in???? on Rep only 20mm in the gen world also 18mm .. cheers, Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 Thanks frank one would look good on my blackbird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
<OFFICINEPANERAI> Posted October 26, 2009 Report Share Posted October 26, 2009 Wow that looks great, is that the same buckle that comes on the SOH? Could you possibly post pics of the strap ends with the clasp removed? as well as the strap lengths and ur wrist size for comparison? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted October 26, 2009 Report Share Posted October 26, 2009 I have ordered one of these and so far the service from watch gallery is very good, reply's to emails a bit slow but never less i have received photos of the clasp and the postage label that was typed so there will be no problems with reading the address. It may be a while until i get it as i have sent it to another address to avoid my local customs but i will let you all see it when i get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hackR Posted October 29, 2009 Report Share Posted October 29, 2009 out of curiosity, what size is your wrist and what are the lengths of each strap piece...and if you could, what's the length of the clasp... thanks...R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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