ianGP Posted February 13, 2011 Report Share Posted February 13, 2011 FINALLY!!!! After some weeks of waiting with a sprinkle of timing and luck, I was able to get it! Long story short: I e-mailed an AD to order replacement strap for ref.26363ST, guy complies, asks for my cc and billing info and tells me that it's a 4week delivery delay. These guys wait until THE exact last day of the 4th week before he says - "before I charge your card, send over your ser#" ugh, BOO!! I didn't reply back. Fast forward to 2 days after the fact, I meet with a client and he notices my AP. Not a big watch guy but definitely a BIG baller, familiar with the name, and with big pull in all different walks of life. I tell him the rep story, my love for watches, and the failed attempt at buying an OEM strap from an AD - he's fascinated! After our business meeting, he says "I might know a guy..." (referring to someone working for AP) Turns out he did know someone that had something to do with owning a local AD. I don't know specifics but he gave me the go to re-order and it came the 2nd time around :D I didn't much ask what he did to get it. I just thanked him....ALOT! If you ever meet this guy, he's got just over a million with our firm alone, however he dresses like he just got done plowing his corn fields! He's not a materialistic guy and he measures people more by principle and passion among other things. A rarity this day and age. Well, without further ado, the pics! I'll comment as we go along: An exciting day: (In the package was a 2010 brochure, some sort of service pamphlet talking about service intervals and what is performed, and the strap ) Side by side pairing with the rep: (gen on the left, rep on the right) Zooming in: The quality of the gen is just amazing. It is more like soft, foamy, slightly rubbery/gummy, leather. The rep is like old leather...stiffer and closer to plasticky..but I wouldn't call it crap. I would still rock it. It's not as bad as I perceived it from reading other people's comments about the strap. The longer strap: (gen on top, rep on the bottom) -You can see from the frontal pics just a slight difference in shape of the stitching at the bottom edge of the strap(neck). -Also, the gen has a more subtle, uniform tapering from the shoulder to the neck; the rep is more accented and closer to the shoulder then plateaus before the midsection into a straight line to the neck. Taking a closer look at the back of the strap: (Shoulders; gen on the right, rep on the left) The differences are in plain sight. Gen has a suede lining, the stitch is more evident and pronounced, in a much straight fashion, and runs further up, closer to the edge of the shoulder. The AP stamp is just a tad bit smaller on the gen, otherwise spot on. (Neck; gen on the left, rep on the right) As noted before, the shape of the stitching is slightly different. To add, on the gen it looks more of a continuous stitch whereas the rep looks to have stopped right at the middle of the roundabout and then continues. Profile: (gen on top, rep on the bottom) The gen is thicker on the shoulder half. That's the area where the perforation is and it's evident there is another layer of leather inserted in there. Towards the neck, it is still thicker than the rep. Closer look: The position of the plot on the gen is bent down slightly. The screw is flush with the leather. Head on: As noted, endlinks on gen are bent down abit. Spacing between plots are exact. The buckle side: (gen on the left, rep on the right) Again, the quality of the leather is night and day. Rep looks shiny! (bad type of shiny) Also, the stitching runs high on the shoulder, and a totally different pattern on the neck. Underside: Same differences, suede lining, longer stitch and difference in pattern. Here you can also see how thin the rep leather is. The stamp is pretty spot on except for the gen is slightly smaller and more visible. Plot holes: (gen on top, rep on the bottom) Well here's something different! Inside the gen's shoulders are METAL brackets to hold the plots and keep them from destroying the leather. The rep is plastic The gen is a square cut out; The rep has an extra plastic ledge protruding out from the inner-most wall to help keep the plots up right. (this is why on the side-view pics, the plots on the gen strap were bent forward a little. Buckle-end: The cut-out for the deployant clasp is longer and thinner. Also, on the side-view, you can see the structural difference between the gen and rep, along with the stitching. TA DAAAA!! And of course, wristies: And obligatory fashion shot: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plaifender Posted February 13, 2011 Report Share Posted February 13, 2011 incredible.. really great pics That strap is simply amazing. I like the strap more than the watch but it's not half bad either! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianGP Posted February 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2011 haha thx plaifender! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bosk Posted February 13, 2011 Report Share Posted February 13, 2011 (edited) Super nice! Can u share the cost? I am surprised that the rep endlinks can fit the gen strap (with the missing ledge). AP bands straps are constructed just like gen but also use plastic like the rep. Endlinks from AP bands, oracle strap, or a MBW might fit better. Edited February 13, 2011 by bosk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plaifender Posted February 13, 2011 Report Share Posted February 13, 2011 which ap is this again??? I remember it's one of the newer ones, and remember not liking it when it came out a few months ago... It looks great here though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dani Posted February 13, 2011 Report Share Posted February 13, 2011 Great strap and you have a great contact, as you say they are rare this days people like him, not rare here on RWG many solid bro's here Watch looks amazing have to ad that, i think I need one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgematic1 Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 @ plaifender: tour auto 2010, also take a look at the driver boutique edition Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asf Posted February 15, 2011 Report Share Posted February 15, 2011 Sweet story behind the strap! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plaifender Posted February 15, 2011 Report Share Posted February 15, 2011 Thanks Edge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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