I need some strap advice

I imagine there are decent after market straps available, but I think you'll always wish you'd bought the Omega version so may as well get it now if you can.

That’s a tough one. If it costs that much is probably because it has a very nice deployment clasp, which honestly Omega does a fabulous job with. I’d go Omega if I were you. Cheers, congrats and I hope all goes well!

Definitely not worth it to ever buy from the brands. You can have two bespoke, custom straps made to your personal to your specifications and still have cash left over to buy a few off the shelf straps in addition. I fell for this early in my watch journey, and got stuffed by Breitling for an alligator strap for near $500, and now they’re up to $550 without the damn buckle! I can have Delugs make me two alligator straps for less and not get nickel and dimed over the buckles. Do yourself a favor and look at alternatives. Over the course of collecting you’ll save tons of money, and get straps that are equal or better than the brands. I’ll never understand why brands do this, because it’s a total screw job on loyal customers, but knowledge is power on this.

NGL, that's a pretty high price...

Considering you can get another watch for that.

And this is coming from a guy who routinely purchases rather expensive single pass straps.

Was in a similar dilemma a while back with my SM300 ..

I've tried many different aftermarket strap options for the last 3 years & TBH really enjoyed giving my Grail different looks depending on the mood/weather/situation.

I doubt I'd have tried those if I'd opted straight for the OE strap and deployant clasp.

Currently the favourite is an Artem loopless sailcloth with an Omega clasp, tho I'm looking at the Formex deployant because it's got micro adjustments and it's a tad slimmer.

I've not ruled out a genuine one, but enjoying trying different things still.

And buying posh straps does really elevate/compliment the watch and is far cheaper than amassing lots of watches 😉😅👍🏻

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803863407076.html?spm=a2g0n.productlist.0.0.2a862d62204qFA&browser_id=a00d0054b35544728817c67008df4be0&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=bzxhpcgacccawtrw18e1ab0360e11fd955a1463d8e&gclid=&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2114.03%219.03%21%21%2114.03%219.03%21%40210318ef17098447395828668eadfd%2112000035580388086%21sea%21US%210%21AB&isseo=y&algo_pvid=e0e1289a-a660-4fce-9bf1-20c93275e60e&_universallink=1&m_page_id=bzxhpcgacccawtrw18e1ab0360e11fd955a1463d8e

Can’t speak for the Aqua Terra but I played about with aftermarket straps (and yes even replicas) for my Seamaster 300 until I finally bit the bullet and ordered the rubber strap and deployant clasp from my Omega dealer….big bucks (for me )for a bit of rubber and a piece of steel hardware but it’s now permanently on the watch and perfect.

If rubber suits you I would recommend it. I got the OEM with Deployant for my SM300 and it is great, but I am not really a rubber strap guy and it is either too loose or too tight, but it is just me. Yes it is over priced, but the Deployant is very nice and again, if you like rubber straps it is very good, so good you would even think it was made for it 😜

Go for it, celebrate in style!

25 cents worth of plastic.....642.00 for the buckle logo.

Well here's my 2 cents: I got a fantastic deal on a brand new 38mm Aqua Terra on the OEM leather ( $4200 no tax) and I LOVE the leather, but I did buy the bracelet from Omega for $725 i think? So yeah the bracelet you don't mind spending that much. But as gorgeously made as that leather is, I wouldn't have bought it separately. I'd have gone with a very nice Delugs maybe. So it's hard to say. i know they have fake Omega rubber ones on Etsy, but.... ehhh

My brilliant dad owned one simple steel Rolex OP circa 60s his whole life but he never tired of lecturing OEM everything, he believed in the integrity of parts and products from the same manufacturer whenever possible especially if the only factor was a higher price versus lower. He felt defective part that failed in some mechical item would be repaired better with an original part. You chose an Omega to celebrate the birth of your son, why muddy the event with an economical rubber strap?

I never buy OEM straps. Even on my high end watches I put them on aftermarket straps. It opens up a whole world of possibilities. You can almost always find a high quality equivalent to the OEM at a fraction of what the OEM costs.

Edit: The more you save on the strap the more you have for the next watch.

$643? They charging another 300 for bits of metal for end links? My SMP additional strap was $350

I bought the black rubber strap for my green dial AT, and yes it's pricey - but worth it in terms of quality, design, and custom fit. IMO

I have no problems putting my expensive watches on cheap fkm straps ,to me a rubber strap is a rubber strap

General consensus among my collector friends, as you can get much better quality for much less money going aftermarket, Not that omegas quality is shabby. I would do a little research and find out who makes the straps for omega. I’m pretty sure they don’t do it themselves. Not these days. Everything’s being made in China and some of its amazing quality. Obviously prices commensurate with quality, but some very good Excellent quality after market straps can be had, as good, if not better quality without the omega branding. Because let’s face it that’s what you’re really paying for.

Unless you go want for something different, get the original one.

I mean i got a Hirsch Straps for my Aqua Terra, but those are different kind of rubber straps. (Rubber only underneath and Leather on the Outside)

Even though they are like 100€, i'm fully aware that those Straps will not last for years ....

My only OEM Is a cheap leather band (60 euros) for the PRX, Easy choice for me.

Thanks for the response! This is what I needed to see! Hopefully Omega picks up their phone tomorrow so I can order it lol

Oh, by the way, what was the last time you were wearing a watch, and somebody came up and asked you if you had an aftermarket or originals strap on it? I used to be like you, wanted to keep everything brand specific for someday when I sell it. I’ve got close to 100 Watches after 30 years of collecting……. Of those I think I’ve sold maybe something like three. If I had tried putting different straps on them back then would probably still have them. 😁😉

Die thougth about buying a sailcloth strap? I know its not rubber but you will get a similar sporty lokk out of it.

Great watch choice btw.

The biggest question is even Omega purchase require strap change??

Lol it pains me to pay for straps too. OEMs are a lot of heartache

it’s so personal , if it’s the strap you want , that’s all that matters . I’ll give you the bottom line . I assume you are considering the Omega to make sure fitting dimensions are correct and the quality is in line with your watch . The designs are not really a problem , because OMEGA’s are among those most imitated and inspired from ( straps makers very much want to sell to omega owners ) . I would point out for the matter of quality that the OEM factor is less relevant particularly in higher price brackets. If anything , you’ll pay more for the OMEGA than any equal quality after-market product .And as for the measurements , the premium makers aim to sell to premium watch brands owners and therefor have products design with those in mind .

in short , there are really no specs, dimensions , and designs you can’t find in the after market . and if you browse premium strap makers you will find equal quality at much lower price or alternatively, many style options for the same budget or better . Only factor to consider then is availability and shipping cost / delays ( you have a deadline I believe ;) )

Again , it’s all personal and if the OMeGA option feels good for you , go . If it were me , only 1 option to chose from , considering the sea of options out here , you couldn’t sell me anything for 650$ . unless of course nothing else could be fitted on it . And then i’d their extorting ass to f#*% off 😝

And Mazel Tov !🎉

I have the AT with the Omega bracelet & Omega rubber strap. I purchased an Aliexpress spare, and honestly I can't really tell the difference. I also prefer the Forstner model O metal strap to the original. I use the original clasp when I switch out the AE replacement so that is original, but honestly nobody cares enough about your watch to know the difference. 99% of people aren't interested and wouldn't know an AT from a Casio🤣

Give the Barton Elite Silicon strap a try. It does attract a little lint, but it's a very soft, comfortable and well designed strap.

First, and most important, congratulations on the upcoming birth of your son!!! What a momentous occasion and what a wonderful way to celebrate it.

Second, I relate to you on this. I went the other way: I bought my AT on the rubber pre-owned from a local collector (guy had worn it 5ish times, so preowned is barely accurate) and then bought the bracelet. I justified it because I got a wicked deal on the watch, but it was the wrong move. I think the AT bracelet is high quality but doesn't suit the watch. I don't blame you for not being sure about the bracelet.

Lastly, the OEM AT strap (and buckle) are brilliant. No rubber strap/clap combo that I have experienced comes close, and I have wasted a lot of money on straps. Normally, I would say save your money, get a good rubber that's 60% as good as OEM and be happy. But given how special this watch is too you, don't settle. Get the rubber, be happy, and make memories with your son while wearing it.

I have the exact same watch and also wish I bought the the rubber strap. I love it on the bracelet, but will probably end up buying the strap through my AD. If you love the rubber strap then it is worth it. With a watch like this it is nice to have everything from Omega in my opinion.

I’m not sure there’s a good enough aftermarket strap

that can compete with Omega’s issued one,

however that’s not the case with the bracelet

so I was pretty comfortable going for the strap

and picking a great quality bracelet at a fraction of the cost.. win win.

Also the orange stiching and that signed clasp

Can’t beat that with that gorgeous seconds hand