Hirsh Liberty Strap

[sssurfer]

Ok... I used to be a bracelet guy, but I'm going to take the plunge on a couple straps for my (hopely) incoming PVDed PAM 028a (black or gray strap), and my gold-hand PAM 104 (brown strap).

My ideal specs were:

1 - Thickness between 4mm and 5mm (ideally 4.5 - 5mm).

2 - No thickness taper, same thickness on all the strap, borders same as middle (vintage style, I read).

3 - 24/22. (That 22 size at the buckle is because my PVD buckle is 22. And, as for the other strap, I cannot exclude that one day I may try to fit a deployant clasp on it).

4 - Contrast stitch.

5 - Low cost (under 50 USD).

Browsing here and there, I found that Hirsh Liberty model does match my specs almost literally. Even if the seller applies a scandalous 52 USD shipping fee to here, they still are at about my desired price, and I could make the buy more convenient by buying a third strap, as shipping fee stays the same up to 10 pieces.

But looking at the pictures, I am a little suspicious about their overall quality, expecially in the inside of the band, and expecially in the marked areas:

I am also completely unaware about the softness, comfort, durability, and so on, of Hirsh products...

So, any of you strap experts has any advices / experiences / suggestions for me about those straps?

Or can you point me to other models matching the specs I said above?

Really thanks,

:sss:

P.S.: yes, they used a rep in those pictures!

[JWR]

Have you given Don or BOB straps a look?

Don's especially would seem to fit many of the specifications exactly...

[tescardo]

Hi sssurfer,

Hirsch straps are very good quality, the Liberty is for sure the most

waterproofed leather strap you will find

Problem with this strap is that the holes are too small for a pre-V buckle.

And in general you will have problems to fit a 4.5 -5 mm strap with a panerai deployant.

Hirsch is a german company and I´m sure you will find an online store within europe

that does not charge you with such a high shipping fee.

Regards

[sssurfer]

Have you given Don or BOB straps a look?

Don's especially would seem to fit many of the specifications exactly...

Thanks, Jonathan.

The problem with Don is just that he does not declare the thickness of his straps. Do you know which it is, by chance?

As for BOB, he seems not to love the 24/22 size. I would also prefer linear, straight stitch rather than the 'twisted' stitch of his Vertigo models.

[sssurfer]

Hi sssurfer,

Hirsch straps are very good quality, the Liberty is for sure the most

waterproofed leather strap you will find

Problem with this strap is that the holes are too small for a pre-V buckle.

And in general you will have problems to fit a 4.5 -5 mm strap with a panerai deployant.

Hirsch is a german company and I´m sure you will find an online store within europe

that does not charge you with such a high shipping fee.

Regards

Thanks, Tescardo. Great info! Expecially that on Hirsh being a german company!

If I only would be able to find it on google now...

EDIT

Now I see that my previous search could have likely been compromised by mispelling. 'Hirsh' instead of 'Hirsch'. Googleing like a mad now...

[tescardo]

What is your source?

[tescardo]

I can give you two links:

1.

http://www.watchband.de/pi-314410298.htm?categoryId=7

2.

He is US based, but you can talk to him concerning the shipping costs.

And hee has a 40% discount on Hirsch

http://www.thewatchprince.com/category/c.l...ventorycloseout

[sevomd]

I've bought from watchband.de. Very Thick strap.Mine was the rivetted 26mm. Very stiff, but very inexpensive.

Eddy

[JWR]

the Don straps I have are very thick, easily 4-5mm... i don't have a fresh one that is unworn to measure, but I'm sure Don would be happy to answer email about that... he is very very good.

[sssurfer]

Thanks all, folks!

My source was Watchprince.

And I made a mistake, shipping fee from him was 63 USD, not 52!

But EU sites for Hirsch straps proved way more expensive than Watchprince.

VAT included, their costs are about twice than Watchprince discounted offers.

Watchband.de revealed as the most expensive.

Watchband.biz a little lesser.

Considering shipping fees, Watchprince and Watchband.biz are almost head-to-head.

I thought Watchprince was not supposed to talk about shipping costs. I'll give it a try.

Similarly, I am going to ask Don about his straps' thickness.

Really thank you all again for your great info. You helped me a lot.

[Faber]

go for the mazan straps at watch prince...25 usd and thick and beefy strap...and the best part come with a free pre v buckle...this one i have ordered and cant be happier...

http://www.thewatchprince.com/product/MS518324L06S

[sssurfer]

UPDATE

Ok, guys, here are the results of your suggestions.

Watchprince dropped their expedition cost down to $11.35.

Don's straps are 4mm thick.

So --

I ordered from both them.

I'll take you responsible for my bankrupt.