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Vincent65 · 12 July 2013, 02:00 AM

Some of you may know that I don't really go in for leather straps on Rolex sports watches... in general. I prefer the bracelets, or NATO/nylon or even rubber, especially on divers. I have a few exotic ones, which I've tried for the 1680 Red Sub (python and stingray, for example) and a fabulous vintage grey leather NATO made from an old German flying jacket, which I love on the 1675 GMT. Also a couple of nice suede NATO ones, but I always seem to go back to the metal or nylon.

But, by a pure coincidence, I discovered that a friend of mine from the village where we used to live for the last 3 years (we've just moved into a new house in a different part of the canton) makes awesome watch straps, mainly for Panerai. So, I had to make an exception and ask if he'd make me one for my vintage Rolex watches, which are of course 20mm lug-width; not his usual dimensions. I took an old Swiss Army ammo pouch I've had almost all my life over to his place at his workshop, and said I liked the colour of the leather. We talked about stitching colour and the type of buckle (I wanted one to match the thick, substantial strap, but not one of those huge snow-shovel jobs I often see, which look a bit silly to me). We agreed a price and a rough time scale (about 6 weeks), and it arrived in the mail today.

The fit is perfect (he measured up, so the holes would be right). I think the workmanship is excellent, and I love that it was hand-made by a friend here in Switzerland, using vintage Swiss military leather, from 1939. He carefully positioned the stamps in the leather so that one piece has the maker showing, and the other, the date.

Here are some quick pics I just took to show you - hope you like it. I think it might look good on the Sub too, but will wear it on the Pepsi first.
Never say never!

(BTW, if anyone wants one, PM me and I'll get you in touch with the maker!)

acr · 12 July 2013, 02:18 AM

Very cool, compliments the matte dial well

Vincent65 · 12 July 2013, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acr

Very cool, compliments the matte dial well

Thank you! It is a gilt/gloss dial though!

kieselguhr · 12 July 2013, 03:21 AM

Looks great Vincent!

I'm diggin the leather.
It does look thick. Is it comfortable?

Vincent65 · 12 July 2013, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

Looks great Vincent!

I'm diggin the leather.
It does look thick. Is it comfortable?

Thanks, I like it a lot too. It is thick, but I like that. It is also surprisingly soft, as it's been oiled, so it's supple, even with the leather lining as well. I've only just tried it on, so I'm not currently wearing it (SD today). It is comfortable, yes, and I'm sure it will break in nicely as usual. I reckon it will last a good few years as well. The leather is already 74 years old!

jvo300 · 12 July 2013, 03:35 AM

Looks great! I'm warming up to the vintage watch on strap look.

Vincent65 · 12 July 2013, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jvo300

Looks great! I'm warming up to the vintage watch on strap look.

- thanks, me too! I don't think I would have done this if it wasn't a friend who made it though, and I like the Swiss military history

Knappo 1307 · 12 July 2013, 04:30 AM

Looks awesome, Vincent!!

acr · 12 July 2013, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vincent65

Thank you! It is a gilt/gloss dial though!

Haha my bad, guess it looked matte in the photos. Nice combo nonetheless.

lhanddds · 12 July 2013, 06:27 AM

Vincent, that looks great, it really compliments that nice GMT of yours. Congrats

BaltimoreBrian · 12 July 2013, 08:45 AM

Good choice! This strap is another great option on this GMT!!

Vincent65 · 12 July 2013, 05:45 PM

Thanks guys, appreciate the kind comments.

FLY-DOG · 13 July 2013, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vincent65

Thanks guys, appreciate the kind comments.

I am blown away by his craftsmanship.

SUBversive · 13 July 2013, 01:08 PM

Looks fantastic

springer · 13 July 2013, 01:45 PM

Nice gilt GMT.

skprd13 · 13 July 2013, 02:44 PM

The leather is 74 yrs old! Looks like it was just made yesterday! Congrats! Great looking strap and the watch is stunning! Your friend did a great job!

bonbonson · 13 July 2013, 07:56 PM

Very nice! The swiss army ammo strap are my favorite vintage straps because of its history....... not to mention the patina!

cruvon · 13 July 2013, 08:28 PM

Looks great!

cop414 · 13 July 2013, 09:10 PM

That looks fantastic, I love how he left the imprints on it. Buckle looks very good also. It would look great on a Sub too.

Vincent65 · 14 July 2013, 12:14 AM

Thanks again guys - glad you like! Yes, the workmanship is great, I agree. I will also try it on the 1680 SUB! Cheers

skprd13 · 14 July 2013, 12:04 PM

Aloha Vincent I think having a strap made for your 1680 will look stunning! I cannot wait to see the pictures of that one! Hurry up man! What are you waiting for! Hahahahaha

Aloha,

Tom

Vincent65 · 15 July 2013, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skprd13

Aloha Vincent I think having a strap made for your 1680 will look stunning! I cannot wait to see the pictures of that one! Hurry up man! What are you waiting for! Hahahahaha

Aloha,

Tom

Hey Tom - I'll just use this one on the SUB

JohnBoy · 17 July 2013, 01:48 PM

Nice GMT! And a really unique, heavy duty strap for it! They make a beautiful combination! Thanks for sharing!

13 July 2013, 01:45 PM	#15
springer 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: jP Location: Texas Watch: GMT-MASTER Posts: 17,242	Nice gilt GMT. __________________ Member of NAWCC since 1990. INSTAGRAM USER NAME: SPRINGERJFP Visit my Instagram page to view some of the finest vintage GMTs anywhere - as well as other vintage classics.

13 July 2013, 08:28 PM	#18
cruvon "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 4,688	Looks great! __________________ Last thing I remember, I was Running outta sight I had to find the passage back,To the place I was before. ’Relax,’ said this Rolex place,We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave!

13 July 2013, 09:10 PM	#19
cop414 TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: Apr 2012 Real Name: Tim Location: Pennsylvania Watch: 14060M Posts: 71,863	That looks fantastic, I love how he left the imprints on it. Buckle looks very good also. It would look great on a Sub too. __________________ Rolex Submariner 14060M Omega Seamaster 2254.50 DOXA Professional 1200T Card carrying member of TRF's Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons TRF's "After Dark" Bar & NightClub Patron P Club Member #17 2 FA ENABLED

12 July 2013, 02:18 AM	#2
acr "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Real Name: Mo Location: Tampa Bay Watch: GMT Posts: 280	Very cool, compliments the matte dial well

12 July 2013, 03:21 AM	#4
kieselguhr "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2013 Real Name: Nick Location: Las Vegas Watch: 1601 Posts: 10,516	Looks great Vincent! I'm diggin the leather. It does look thick. Is it comfortable?

12 July 2013, 03:35 AM	#6
jvo300 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: TX Posts: 1,897	Looks great! I'm warming up to the vintage watch on strap look.

12 July 2013, 04:30 AM	#8
Knappo 1307 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Real Name: Jason Location: USA Watch: Sea Dweller Posts: 8,558	Looks awesome, Vincent!!

12 July 2013, 06:27 AM	#10
lhanddds Banned Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: USA Watch: of course Posts: 8,429	Vincent, that looks great, it really compliments that nice GMT of yours. Congrats

12 July 2013, 08:45 AM	#11
BaltimoreBrian "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Real Name: Brian Location: Towson, MD Watch: iZ Posts: 2,219	Good choice! This strap is another great option on this GMT!!

12 July 2013, 05:45 PM	#12
Vincent65 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Switzerland Posts: 14,297	Thanks guys, appreciate the kind comments.

13 July 2013, 01:08 PM	#14
SUBversive Banned Join Date: May 2011 Location: ri Watch: Sun Dial Posts: 14,346	Looks fantastic

13 July 2013, 02:44 PM	#16
skprd13 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Real Name: Tom Location: Kauai Watch: 1675-1680-16750 Posts: 3,346	The leather is 74 yrs old! Looks like it was just made yesterday! Congrats! Great looking strap and the watch is stunning! Your friend did a great job!

13 July 2013, 07:56 PM	#17
bonbonson "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: philippines Posts: 387	Very nice! The swiss army ammo strap are my favorite vintage straps because of its history....... not to mention the patina!

14 July 2013, 12:14 AM	#20
Vincent65 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Switzerland Posts: 14,297	Thanks again guys - glad you like! Yes, the workmanship is great, I agree. I will also try it on the 1680 SUB! Cheers

14 July 2013, 12:04 PM	#21
skprd13 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Real Name: Tom Location: Kauai Watch: 1675-1680-16750 Posts: 3,346	Aloha Vincent I think having a strap made for your 1680 will look stunning! I cannot wait to see the pictures of that one! Hurry up man! What are you waiting for! Hahahahaha Aloha, Tom

17 July 2013, 01:48 PM	#23
JohnBoy "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Real Name: John Location: Seattle, WA USA Watch: Rolex - a few! Posts: 1,472	Nice GMT! And a really unique, heavy duty strap for it! They make a beautiful combination! Thanks for sharing!

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