Jmcbnd Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 I'm looking for recommendations for a dressier croc or gator strap for my PAM111. I really like Sirtoli's Andreas but it doesn't look like they make it in 24mm. I know there are some other high quality makers out there and wanted to get some feedback. What I like about the Sirtoli is the larger pattern, the nicely rounded (padded) profile that tapers at the edges, small stitching and well reviewed quality. Thanks in advance for the recommendations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watch Guy Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 I have both a croc and alligator 24mm strap with Pre V buckle from The Watch Boys. Highly recommended! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w0lf Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 I would only recommend OEM Officine Panerai alligator straps. You will not find anything remotely approaching OEM quality (made by Hirsch Armbander GmbH) for significantly less. Some other high quality exotics come from Atelier du Braslet Parisien and Atelier Camille Fournet but they can cost quite a bit more than OEM from new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 I have to agree with Wolf. I have worn a number of different brands over the years and for all the various straps I have tried I always end up with OEM. They tend to last forever and so if you are on a budget you can often pick up a second hand one in good shape for under $200 and get years of use out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HartDoc Posted March 8, 2013 Report Share Posted March 8, 2013 I would have to agree with going with OEM also. I've went with Strapdaddy for OEM straps and they are awesome/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StormTooper4 Posted March 8, 2013 Report Share Posted March 8, 2013 OEM's are nice but expensive and at times vary in quality/style. I have a black deployant thats seen better days but i still like and I have a Dark Brown croc , as nice as it is the Painted sides are a bit Cheap looking . I have this really nice bordeaux coloured one I think I got it from Cajun I think its my favourite the Grain and gloss of the skin is really much better than OEM Dont have a good pic , but you get the idea.. I got another one as I liked them so much , but its not as nice and really Thick, but still pretty ok The best thing about OEM's are the keepers are really nice and Thin Arron/HK Tan can coem close , and he makes some great gators The best of the best would have to be ABP I am desperate for one of their honey gators special tanning . These are more expensive than OEM and they look so worth it . I have a calf and an ostrich of theres and they are awesome. Someone has the gator on RWG i think. These are not mine unfortunately I want the one in the middle YUMMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jmcbnd Posted March 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2013 Thanks for all the replies guys! Is strapdaddy on this site somewhere? I can't seem to find him... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45acp Posted March 8, 2013 Report Share Posted March 8, 2013 For OEM style gator Peter.watchacc over on risti is pretty hard to beat. Better quality than TWB, and still considerably less than OEM. Or you could just watch the accessory collectors market over there, I have a great black OP gator strap that I picked up on there used for $120. Nicest strap I own, probably. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 For OEM style gator Peter.watchacc over on risti is pretty hard to beat. Better quality than TWB, and still considerably less than OEM. Or you could just watch the accessory collectors market over there, I have a great black OP gator strap that I picked up on there used for $120. Nicest strap I own, probably. dumb question but what is risti? did a google search and came up with irrelevant material Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w0lf Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 All I'm going to say is - you get what you pay for both in terms of looks and how the strap wears. I went through several thousand dollars worth of various aftermarket straps of in different styles and hides, not all of them exotics of course but in the end I recommend OEM because of these simple reasons: o Comfort: I don't need a reminder that I'm wearing a big heavy watch every minute of the day. With OEM straps I'm never in-between holes, or have a feeling that I signed up for a bondage club. The straps break in quick and match my wrist well, they're not too thick and they wear in a way that I forget that I have a watch on. o Safety: I don't have to worry that the hide came from a poacher and was tanned using weird chemicals. There have been numerous instances involving long-standing and well known strap makers whose strap caused rashes or allergic reactions. o Quality and Durability: I have five OEM alligator straps and half a dozen calfs most of which I've worn in regular rotation for about 4-5 years together with my wife; they have held up really well and still have a lot of life left. o Resale value: I can sell pretty much any OEM strap in almost any condition within 24 hours and not lose a bundle. In some cases I can even end up making money because OEM strap prices keep climbing every year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeadToucha Posted March 10, 2013 Report Share Posted March 10, 2013 To me and as opposite as Wolf i prefer aftermarket strap than OEM, specially coze of the thickness than i find not enough with OEM and because i also think OEM are too smooth, too perfect or dressy maybe, hard to explain... For StormTrooper i agree on the amazing quality of ABP (the price is amazing too ) You can see one like you like here: http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/152978-pam390-on-18-different-high-end-straps-no-reps-no-rubbers/#entry1174104 Honey special tanning, special serie for the French Paneristi and it's the softest croc/alligator strap i ever seen (i know it coze that's me who sold it to Rogerthat ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 I still say the best value is a used OEM. They come up all the time, seem to last forever and are already broken in for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niek Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 I have one from RIOS1931, they cost around 150 euro. Quality is better than OEM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mil04 Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 I have to agree. Aftermarket gators are around $100. For $50-60 more I would go for used OEM any day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cats Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 I never owned a oem strap but I can imagine that it has a great feel. Bought a Orloff strap lately for 100€ and I have to admit that I'm very happy with it. Carpe Diem Cats Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markiemark Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 I used to rock a Ted Su French Ammo on my PAM. Its not gator, but I think its rather classy. Im sellig it for €65 including shipping to EU. Click the URL in my signature for pics... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
relaxman Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 Go genuine .. My well patina'ed JV <br /> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dinokun Posted March 20, 2013 Report Share Posted March 20, 2013 oem meaning the leather are made by people and not from AD? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45acp Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 oem meaning the leather are made by people and not from AD? OEM stands for "original equipment manufacturer", and in this case refers to straps that come directly from the maker that you would get at an AD, as opposed to aftermarket straps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akira Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imajedi Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 These are not mine unfortunately I want the one in the middle YUMMO Trooper: I love that one in the middle. Who makes that? I've been looking for something like that forever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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