Smab Posted June 8, 2012 Report Share Posted June 8, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reginald37 Posted June 9, 2012 Report Share Posted June 9, 2012 Looking forward to those pics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADRED7 Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 Post pics when you get watch and/or strap Theo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smab Posted June 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 Finally, here is PICS with the Montoya Ti and APBANDS deep ocean blue croc. The watch is amazing - When I see the level of detail and complexity of the case and dial, I understand why these cost so much. The watch wears a lot smaller than I expected, problably because the size of the dial is rather small, compared to the case size. Still, a substantial picece. And the best thing, it wears very comfortably. It is heavier than I expected, expected it to be feather lite, since it is Ti. But the again, it is quite thick, and the sapphire crystal on front and back, as well as the movement has some weight into it. One thing, the small Hour dial arrow is not perfectly centered in this pic, but that sorted out when I started/stopped the chrono and pushed the reset button. It is perfectly centered now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corelli Posted June 27, 2012 Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 Very impressive combo! $900 is a lot of money - but that combo exudes quality and I'd say is worth it! Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dani Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 ill rather where a 100days old boxer short then exotic straps, I have no need to feel special by wearing a animal that just dies for its leather.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smab Posted July 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 ill rather where a 100days old boxer short then exotic straps, I have no need to feel special by wearing a animal that just dies for its leather.. Then I reckon you're a bracelet/rubber/kevlar guy when it comes to watches Well, it is hard to avoid those leather products. Leather in my waist belt, leather seats in my car, leather on the steering wheel and shift stick, leather in my shoes. But then again, if you were to look closer at the REP industry, that we are all a supporter of: what kind of working conditions do you think the people who assemble and build these products, must undergo? They certainly do not have 8 hour days, Monday-Friday, and I guess they do not have 2-3 weeks of paid vacation every year. Probaly they work 12-14 hour days in non-airconditioned factory buildings in south-China were the summers are + 40 Celsius and 90 % humidity, 6 or 7 days a week, only holiday is Chinese New Year and Chinese Autumn festival + May day. They probably struggle to earn enough to sustain a decent life standard, and the big money goes to the owners and the bosses (and perhaps organized crime?;-). We are all supporter of that, wether we like it or not. I think that is maybe a bigger moral issue, than buying exotic leather products from reptiles that were only hunted and killed for their hides. Edit: No offence to Dani or any other for their opinions - I too, do not want to support hunting of endangered species or for that matter, the industry of fur animals, beeing kept in tiny cages and killed only for their fur. I have no respect for animal cruilty or any unhuman treatment of any animal whatsoever, wild animals or cultivated animals. I respect all opinions, and there is nothing better than a debate in a civilized manner. I see from previous posts, that Dani has had items with leather straps, so I guess his opinion is only regarding exotic skins from (possibly) endagered species. God knows were the hides from this APBAND crocstrap comes - they state it is from North - and South American crocodiles. If they are hunted in the wild or kept in captivity, who knows. But as APBANDS state: " All of the hides used for AP Bands products are legal and sanctioned through the appropriate authorities. We are also certified by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Daytona1984 Posted July 2, 2012 Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 love it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legend Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 Its very beautiful! I have the RG version of the same watch myself. Can't help but notice, but one of the strap links does not seem to be screwed in fully? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smab Posted July 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 Its very beautiful! I have the RG version of the same watch myself. Can't help but notice, but one of the strap links does not seem to be screwed in fully? Thanks a lot, legendkiller:-) The RG version is awesome as well. About the links, this is the best fit I was able to manage from this APBANDS strap. The cut-outs for the links looks actually better on the rep-strap that came along with the watch. But, it does not show very easy when you wear it. Only on macroshots. I am happy with it. all though I had one hell of a struggle to get it fitted. Did not get the lug screws through both links without some serious tweaking. Took me about one hour;-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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