Guest Sql_pl Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 I've been a big PAM fan for quite some time during 2004-2005... had some nice pieces... but then other brands started to appear as nice reps and I changed direction. Sold most of my PAMs and decided to stick to only 2 - a 111 and an old cased 196. I used to wear my PAMs on rubber straps or some DON straps I purchased in the beginning of my PAM frenzy. It means I did not buy a single strap since 2005. Until like a week ago when I decided to give my PAMs some more wrist time and to get some new stuff for them. Went with Strap Culture and one of their newest offerings. Strap arrived today. The quality, the leather, stitching, buckle... everything is awesome. BUT.... this strap is quite thick... and you know what? It feels so damn strange on the wrist.... the buckle area is thicker than the watch that is sitting on the opposite side of the wrist. My 44 mm PAM is dwarfed by that strap! It feels like it is way too small for the strap! And here is my question - is it normal???? Are you guys wearing such straps now??? Just look at these pics: That buckle/keepers area is just crazy! I can't say it is comfortable plus I feel a bit like an idiot when I have it on... is this normal nowadays???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnagy Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 i know what you mean.i have an sc strap and the buckle stuck out off the strap too much for my taste.i just changed the buckle to one that is more curved so it hugs the strap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiker01 Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 Hi Sql! Nice to see you show up again! I miss your pictures! That watch and strap combo is awesome! I know some PAM freaks here are drooling over them...Is it hard leather? I have one that is kind of thick, too, but I use a soft calf type leather and it feels very comfortable: and this how it look's on the wrist: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavidoc Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 I have one on a 3646 hommage. It doesn't bother me. What did bother me was the profile of the buckle as it is way to wide. I chose to machine it down and it now has the angled look of the Pre-V's. Works much better. Another difference for me is that I only use one keeper, not two. I actually like mine and think it is quite comfortable. Never noticed any issues with it but then my 3646 has a high domed crystal on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc savage Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 The combination of the thick strap, thick keeper, and thick buckle does look like a bit much in that last photo. You might be a little happier with a thinner model from Strap Culture, like mine; the buckle is much thinner. I didn't get a wrist shot of the buckle, but the leather thickness seemed perfect, at least for a 127. 127E on Strap Culture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fendushi Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 @sql_pl Looks fine to me... then again I love thick straps... :wub: You're right... thick straps does "dwarf" the watch. I have thick straps on my Fiddy... they make the watch look like a 44mm. Don't worry about the buckle, you'll get used to it. You might feel like a bit of an idiot but I can assure you, no one will think that you are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sssurfer Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 OMG! How thick that strap is? 4.3, 4.5mm?!? It is excessive. And the fact that you feel it uncomfortable is the final evidence. I cannot see one single reason to wear an uncomfortable strap. Sell it and take a thinner and softer one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noslen Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 I guess it's personal taste - for me there's not much cooler than a PAM on a Pirate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panera Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 I agree It is related with yıour personal taste. There is no rule... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 Actually I regard really thick straps as simply a change of pace. The generic strap culture is about as thick as I have worn. It is sort of overly done retro-chic. Mine gets worn on the weekends as it is a fashion statement into itself. I agree it is too thick. If you have the budget, my favorite "thick" strap are the Xamas straps. Not as thick and the leather is fairly soft - too expensive though. What I like about PAM's is that you can don an OEM croc strap for a classier work day look and swap out to a thick strap for the weekends. I also have found the Pre-V Pam straps to be a happy compromise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esdee Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 it's always a matter of getting used to it, in a few months if you switch to a bracelet or a normal strap it will look... funny! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazarini Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 Hi M. well yea i feel you all ... i come from 40 mm subs and oyster bracelets ... i strapped on this frxandy and a SC scull buckle and said woooooa thats huge I felt weird in the beginning wearing it but after a week or so u get used to it ... i wear it strictly with casual or club clothes do never to work ( how could u hide this monster under shirt ). Still i was amazed how this has grown on me in just one week hehe give it some time and ull see how u feel ... Regards Laz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 I have a couple of straps which are btween 4-5mm thick, but, I think the trick is to wear them with standard pre V buckles, as, being thinner and more curved, they draw the eye back to the strap 'quicker' than the chunkier buckles, which can simply 'terminate in a step' down to the strap, which is slightly less easy on the eye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 Thickerst strap I have is 6,5mm thick and soft as butter Thicker than the watch.. LOVE it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 My fiddy strap us just as thick, i dont have a problem with it, it suits the watch and cloths i wear with it and you get used to its size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brodie Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 Thick straps are like skinny girls that wear oversized sunglasses. Some people think it's chic or fashionable others think they're just plain goofy. Personally, I don't mind a thick strap for casual wear. But If I had to go for a formal look though, I would definitely switch to something thinner. Like a nice suit, I'd want something that was clean, sleek, and fit well, not some chunky 6mm strap that made me look like I was wearing a freakin' armband. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 What makes me laugh is that when I was fortunate enough to try on an original 3646 with the original owner's strap it was not 6mm thick. So we are all making fashion statements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc savage Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 I love leather and the thicker than average straps are nice, but some of those wristshots look downright cartoonish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victoria Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 And here is my question - is it normal???? Are you guys wearing such straps now??? Welcome back, Maciek! Hope Ola is well too. They are normal, and people here and on Risti etc. are wearing them. I can't say it is comfortable plus I feel a bit like an idiot when I have it on... is this normal nowadays???? As I said above, yes -- normal as in popular, readily seen on Wristchecks, for sure. But I don't like these GODAWFUL StrapCulture Asian leather straps. The buckle is WAYYYY too chunky, although charming. I love it, even if I know it looks silly. This is the Giovanni e Figlio La Spezia strap. It is my thickest strap, measuring 5.5mm (it's more, since I measured it for another RWGer, closer to 6mm), and with a buckle to match. It's a monster, look. Thing is, because it's Italian leather, it feels SO GOOD. SO RICH. And it doesn't look as thick as it is, even on my smaller wrists. Lying flat here. That red arrow? Well, I too have the Yaaaaaarrrr! pirate buckle, seen here on a Dino Zei Strapmasters. If you want a thick but LIGHT strap, made to order, try Micah Dirksen. His are perfect. Everyone has their taste. And I have come to the conclusion that I prefer Pacis and Manifatture Firenze straps the best. The first one is medium thick, but you don't feel it. The second is almost as thin as OEM straps. To each their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tootall Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 And here is my question - is it normal???? Are you guys wearing such straps now??? First off, how big is your wrist in inches?? That will determine a lot. Secondly, I love thick straps. The SC one you have would be considered Nicole Richi skinny put up to my straps. I have built ones that are 10mm thick. The ones I wear on average are over 5mm thick. Maybe it's the goofy buckle that is doing it. And it also looks as if you got a size too long for your wrist as the buckle seems to lap over your wrist. Is it normal to wear such thick straps? Probably not normal to the Panerai community as whole, as the majority of people love the OEM straps and the crap TC sells. So I wouldn't call it normal. But nothing beats personal taste, so wear what you like and don't get into any of the hype! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailinjack Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 I've been a big PAM fan for quite some time during 2004-2005... had some nice pieces... but then other brands started to appear as nice reps and I changed direction. Sold most of my PAMs and decided to stick to only 2 - a 111 and an old cased 196. I used to wear my PAMs on rubber straps or some DON straps I purchased in the beginning of my PAM frenzy. It means I did not buy a single strap since 2005. Until like a week ago when I decided to give my PAMs some more wrist time and to get some new stuff for them. Went with Strap Culture and one of their newest offerings. Strap arrived today. The quality, the leather, stitching, buckle... everything is awesome. BUT.... this strap is quite thick... and you know what? It feels so damn strange on the wrist.... the buckle area is thicker than the watch that is sitting on the opposite side of the wrist. My 44 mm PAM is dwarfed by that strap! It feels like it is way too small for the strap! And here is my question - is it normal???? Are you guys wearing such straps now??? Just look at these pics: That buckle/keepers area is just crazy! I can't say it is comfortable plus I feel a bit like an idiot when I have it on... is this normal nowadays???? Personally I LOVE your strap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailinjack Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Thick straps are like skinny girls that wear oversized sunglasses. Some people think it's chic or fashionable others think they're just plain goofy. Personally, I don't mind a thick strap for casual wear. But If I had to go for a formal look though, I would definitely switch to something thinner. Like a nice suit, I'd want something that was clean, sleek, and fit well, not some chunky 6mm strap that made me look like I was wearing a freakin' armband. i AGREE. And that's why I prefer 4mm for my straps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ximenes Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 let me know if you want to sell it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce79 Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Just know that all straps settle down a bit after wearing them for a while. I have thick straps (Simona) and not so thick (MP XI & PAV) both add to pams. I say that SC strap looks awful stiff because it's new...just let it break in a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noslen Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 I've used Renapur on all my leather goods for years, it's amazing stuff. Treat your straps with this and they become buttery soft and water resistant. Nos Link to Renapur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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