Cartier Tank straps for deployant buckle?

[Hotten Todd]

So, it was a helluva welcome I got earlier - thanks for that, guys! Now, here's my first real post, and question.

Short version: does anyone has a good link for aftermarket (or even rep) straps for a Cartier Tank watch with deployant buckle??

Now, the long version: I have bought a nice gen. Tank for my girlfriend, which I'm planning to be a Christmas present. It is second hand, but overall in very nice condition... except for the crocodile strap. So for now I have replaced it with a budget croc grain strap, but I'd really like to use the deployant buckle the watch came with. Genuine Cartier straps are ridiculously expensive, so I'm shopping for the best deal on an aftermarket strap for the buckle.

I've been all over eBay and web (I think!), and the ones I've found are either too flimsy or too expensive ... or simply bone-ass ugly! I have also learned that while it's quite easy to find reasonably priced straps for the Santos and Roadsters, the Tank is a different story! Quite odd, actually, since a Tank deployant strap is basically a thin regular strap without a tang buckle (and the cutout), without holes and without the two small bands that hold the other strap. In my opinion it should be the easiest and cheapest aftermarket strap in the world to produce!

I've found some nice ones from brands like RIOS and Morellato, but they cost about the same as the Cartiers on the Bay (close to $200, which I find pret-ty steep for a strap alone!). I've thought about custom made, but most strap makers I've found seem to be focused on PAM-straps, and charge about the same for at strap. Correct me if I'm wrong

So, if anyone have a good tip on nice straps that fit a Cartier dep. buckle, preferably genuine croc or aligator, aftermarket or replica, in the sub-$100 range, please let me know! Thanks!

Edited November 3, 2012 by Hotten Todd