jkerouac Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 (Truth in advertising: This is a cross post from the Other Dealers Trade Review Section) For some time now I felt that none of my straps, and not even the Breitling bracelet that came with my BCE, did this watch justice. Crocodile was clearly the way to go, but whose crocodile? Not the genuine Breitling crocodile, I decided, because those can cost as much as the rep itself. And a cheap croc strap looks just like that -- cheap. I finally settled on the Dunthorp Aviator Crocodile strap from Watch Prince. I placed my order... just a bit more than 24 hours ago. I didn't check for confirmation right away (I had some other things I needed to do), but about half an hour later I checked and there was the confirmation e-mail -- and a second e-mail (with tracking number) indicating that my order had shipped. OK, we've probably all received tracking numbers from dealers who didn't actually ship the product for one or two days after e-mailing the tracking number. It's easy enough to do. And I wasn't in a huge rush to receive the new strap. But this a.m. I decided to test the tracking number..... and lo and behold, the tracking information indicated that I should expect delivery today. I should mention that Watch Prince offers free shipping on orders over $75, which I decided to take advantage of. I wasn't in a hurry, so why pay extra for second day or overnight service? I should also mention that I live in Seattle and Watch Prince is located in Portland, so it would be almost more work for UPS to delay shipment than to deliver quickly. In any case, at 10:30 this a.m., the man in brown came to my door with my new strap, approximately 18 hours after I placed my free shipping order. And it's a beauty. Here are some pics. What can I say? I am incredibly impressed both with the strap and with the service I received from Watch Prince. And my BCE finally has a strap that truly does it justice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolexman Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 Looks cheap... you're better of with the rep croc with deployant. Sorry. This is the only way to go: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skjalg Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 great service but unfortunately I also think the rep croc with deployant looks better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAHLER Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 (edited) I believe that the photo not justice to the strap. A real crocodile is difficult to make through pictures, especially if the colors are dark. Its color is not uniform like the leather "crocstamp" that appears bright. It's possible have a pics of the back? I would be curious to know if it is actually produced in Italy. Thanks Edited May 30, 2008 by MAHLER Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perry563 Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 Looks great. However I would have gone with a black croc strap since it goes better with the dial of the watch. The rep bands look cheap.......croc pattern but obviously not real croc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beanyboy Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 Straps, like women, are a very personal choice. However, I have to agree with some of the folks above that the rep strap looks better. The reason is that the WatchPrince strap is a bit too dressy for the sporty BCE. The Breitling strap, with it's bigger croc pattern and thick white stitching, is more casual... But don't sweat it Jack! Your choice is great too... Beany Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkerouac Posted May 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 Thanks Beany. I'm not sweating anything. But is the Watch Prince strap too cheap or too dressy looking? I certainly have my share of cheap straps, both leather and simulated crocodile, and this one does not fall into that category. Sorry if my pictures don't do the setup justice. I happen to think it looks great. I could say that watches with diamonds or certain popular rep models look cheap, but that's just my opinion and if someone else likes them and feels good wearing them, then more power to you. As for deployant vs. regular buckle, yes deployants are more "elegant," but buckles can more easily be loosened in hot weather. In any case, I probably wouldn't have posted regarding an even as mundane as the arrival of a new strap (I'd probably have another 30 posts on my tally if I did). But the speed of delivery, combined with a strap that in my eye really complements the watch it is paired with, led me to share my enthusiasm. Mahler, I may be able to take some pictures of the back late today or tomorrow. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolexman Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 But is the Watch Prince strap too cheap or too dressy looking? IMO the glossy shine makes it look cheap.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arminvanbuuren Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 but i really think if u had the white dial bce it would look much better with that strap.. as for graphite i think black should match better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 IMO the glossy shine makes it look cheap.... Except that glossy gator straps aren't always cheap. Witness the Hirsch Venice Louisiana gator strap. Sale price: $235 Now, I do *prefer* matte to gloss personally. But I don't think glossy gator or croc straps look cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beanyboy Posted May 31, 2008 Report Share Posted May 31, 2008 I don't think the Watch Prince strap looks cheap at all. As a matter of fact, I am going to buy one in black for a Patek rep of mine, on which I think it will look great. I presume it's real crocodile, but if it isn't, then it looks damn good. I for one am not wedded to having "real" crocodile or alligator straps. And I will share with RWG a method using some leather stuff that can make a fake Breitling crocodile strap look pretty darn close to the real thing. Good luck and enjoy your watch! Beany Thanks Beany. I'm not sweating anything. But is the Watch Prince strap too cheap or too dressy looking? I certainly have my share of cheap straps, both leather and simulated crocodile, and this one does not fall into that category. Sorry if my pictures don't do the setup justice. I happen to think it looks great. I could say that watches with diamonds or certain popular rep models look cheap, but that's just my opinion and if someone else likes them and feels good wearing them, then more power to you. As for deployant vs. regular buckle, yes deployants are more "elegant," but buckles can more easily be loosened in hot weather. In any case, I probably wouldn't have posted regarding an even as mundane as the arrival of a new strap (I'd probably have another 30 posts on my tally if I did). But the speed of delivery, combined with a strap that in my eye really complements the watch it is paired with, led me to share my enthusiasm. Mahler, I may be able to take some pictures of the back late today or tomorrow. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
takashi Posted June 1, 2008 Report Share Posted June 1, 2008 I would say go for croc rep. I have done side by side comparison (black colour croc) between the gen and rep. The biggest tell is only Croco Veritable text on the genuine and cuir veritable on the rep. The rest (look and feel) is very very similar. I would have spent my money on the rep croc instead (plus you get a very nice deployant) for 1/5 the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dabal Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 where can i get a rep croc deployant strap for bce? a link, or a website would be perfect, thanks all, -dabal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spookycord Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 Here is a little camparison I just snapped, for your viewing pleasure, the bracelet and 4 different REP strap options out there Make your own call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dabal Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 thanks for the pics!! yeah!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spookycord Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 The one thing I hate about the rep croc deployants is that they need to break in. They look square on my wrist! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerthat Posted June 29, 2008 Report Share Posted June 29, 2008 Added some pics of my BCE with croc strap. Cheers, M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest porsche356a Posted June 29, 2008 Report Share Posted June 29, 2008 Added some pics of my BCE with croc strap. Nice, where did you get that BCE? Looks Gen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rare1 Posted June 30, 2008 Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 Nice, where did you get that BCE? Looks Gen I think it is still a rep, take a look at the date font. (Although, I am still very noobish so I could be wrong) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dylan Posted June 30, 2008 Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 I like mine on this jewel of a strap that I found in my neighborhood. It looks great on my IWC 3717 as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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