Where do you stand on vintage straps?
The period correct Bonklip bracelet I've got for my Ebel ATP is the only strap I use that I haven't owned from new - the idea of sharing DNA with past owners is a bit off-putting to me!
However, I do see a number of vintage straps selling and sometimes for big money. Most notably military issued NATOs and the WW2 A.F.0210. straps.
It's got me wondering if any crunchers have matched their watch with the 'perfect' vintage strap to go with their vintage timepiece?
Would love to see examples!
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James
Mechanical Engineer with a love for new and vintage watches, particularly those issued to the British Military
Wales, UK
Member since
Last active: 4 hrs ago
6.50” / 16.51 cm
I literally just did this! I just bought by 1991 citizen yachting watch. I was digging through my straps box and found a matching vintage citizen bracelet. The endlinks fit perfectly and they are a very specific shape. So yea I like this idea!
Dare I ask: what's a cricket box?
On receiving a pre-owned watch, cleaning it is the first thing I do. Bracelets go through ultrasonic, straps get binned.
@Cantaloop is correct...
I literally just did this! I just bought by 1991 citizen yachting watch. I was digging through my straps box and found a matching vintage citizen bracelet. The endlinks fit perfectly and they are a very specific shape. So yea I like this idea!
Such a cool looking thing! Two tone suits that style perfectly IMO
What a brilliant coincidence to have the right strap just waiting for it too
Dare I ask: what's a cricket box?
The game of cricket involves a very hard ball approaching you at high speed, often towards some softer, stationary balls.... those balls need protection!
Thus the requirement for the cricket box is born
On receiving a pre-owned watch, cleaning it is the first thing I do. Bracelets go through ultrasonic, straps get binned.
Definitely the most hygienic approach
Such a cool looking thing! Two tone suits that style perfectly IMO
What a brilliant coincidence to have the right strap just waiting for it too
Thanks! Yea I was kinda just digging and remembered I had it and thought “I wonder if it’ll fit…”
There is no shortage of NOS watch bands available on the internet if you know where to look. One can sanely worry about time or wear causing degradation to organic straps, but I'm not neurotic about cooties or whatever ick people are so afraid of. Gobs of things I own were previously owned and used by others. I don't think I'm sterile and immaculate or that others are infectious vermin.
They get cleaned (usually in an ultrasonic), but I would never discard a vintage bonklip.
I'm not really that fussed about the straps.
By now I have had so many vintage watches with vintage straps, bracelets, etc. that it just doesn't bother me anymore.
All my vintage watches are treated to new, unused straps. I’m not a purist and couldn’t care less about the entire watch having all original parts. That’s another topic altogether. As far as I’m concerned I bought the watch head, the strap is just a means to keep it on someone’s wrist. And because it’s now my wrist, I get to use the strap that’s me and only me.
On receiving a pre-owned watch, cleaning it is the first thing I do. Bracelets go through ultrasonic, straps get binned.
Asking an Englishman a question like that is not cricket my friend 🤣
Oops, I think this reply was meant for doc8404
At first I was going to say no way 😮 but then I thought, wait... what about the second hand watches I've bought... they've all got used straps on them.
That was a long way of saying.. Yes 😂
All my vintage watches are treated to new, unused straps. I’m not a purist and couldn’t care less about the entire watch having all original parts. That’s another topic altogether. As far as I’m concerned I bought the watch head, the strap is just a means to keep it on someone’s wrist. And because it’s now my wrist, I get to use the strap that’s me and only me.
Now I know why I can rarely find the original strap to go with my vintage watches 😉
Nope, somebody might have died wearing it and it'll be haunted by their ghostie.
A risk not worth taking! 😂
I've got one vintage watch which is on it's original bracelet, a Seiko Grand Quartz. All the others I've bought new straps or bracelets for due to the poor condition of the originals