UPDATED-Mini Seamaster strap issue SOLVED with new strap

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asqwerth
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UPDATED-Mini Seamaster strap issue SOLVED with new strap

Post by asqwerth »

UPDATED IN LATER POST

In my previous post here:

http://www.christopherwardforum.com/vie ... =8&t=18556

I mentioned I was getting a new strap for the watch because the original croc strap was falling apart. It was harder to get a dressy, uniform-width 14mm strap than I thought. Most 14mm straps taper to 12mm at the buckle end, but I needed it to be 14mm to fit the original Omega buckle (which appears to be 18K white gold 8) ).

Found a few on Watch Band Specialist (WBS), and on Cousins, but most of the uniform-width straps had a casual look with contrasting stitching or big rough grain (e.g. buffalo-like) which didn't go with the look of the Seamaster.

Anyway, I finally found a seemingly suitable strap on WBS - black leather with lizard grain - and it arrived about a week ago.

I set about removing the original strap and buckle and had to clean off large amounts of Gross Gummy Green Gunk from the lugs, buckle and especially their respective spring bars. Yuck. I can truly believe these were part of the original kit and hadn't been removed since the 60s. The lug spring bars are high quality sturdy affairs with quick release pins (that's why I was determined to clean them up to reuse them), but the pins are hidden within the strap; there are no cut-outs in the strap for the pins to peek through.

I started fitting the buckle onto the new strap, and that's when I realised the first problem: the buckle is the closed-rectangle sort where the spring bar is located in the middle rather than at one end. My new strap has the usual "C"-shape buckle with the springbar located where strap meets the buckle. Like most of these straps, there is a retainer loop immediately below where the buckle is supposed to attach.

Result: the Omega buckle can't rest flat on the new strap because that retainer loop is immediately underneath it, getting in its way. I had to remove the top loop with a pen knife.

Image

Unsightly. Argh.

Second problem: because the strap is padded, it doesn't bend nicely over the buckle springbar, like so:

Image

Even more unsightly.

Of course, from the top, the watch looks fine on the new strap:

Image


However, I would like to get something that fits better, and I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions as to where I can source a strap that is:

1. of a dressy look. I don't mind paying for genuine croc or lizard.
2. 14mm uniform width without a retainer loop glued just below the buckle atachment.
3. not padded (or very thinly padded).

I did search Ofrei but they don't have any Omega straps that fit the above description.

Can any of you recommend a strap maker who could custom-make such a strap? From what I see, the hand-made or custom-made straps featured in the pics on this forum are mainly thick, hefty, macho ones suitable for tool watches.... :D
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Re: Update on Boy's-size Vintage Seamaster- need help with s

Post by Robin CB »

Both the custom strap guys I have used (Stevostraps and Toshi) tend to do thick chunky straps, but it might be worth asking them.

There are some 14mm omega buckles (the other type) on UK eBay at the moment, but that would add extra expense.

Good luck :)
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Re: Update on Boy's-size Vintage Seamaster- need help with s

Post by Kip »

It may be a real long shot, but have you tried Omega directly?
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Re: Update on Boy's-size Vintage Seamaster- need help with s

Post by asqwerth »

Kip wrote:It may be a real long shot, but have you tried Omega directly?
As in, contact their head office or a service center?

Hmm. I may have to...
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Re: Update on Boy's-size Vintage Seamaster- need help with s

Post by Kip »

asqwerth wrote:
Kip wrote:It may be a real long shot, but have you tried Omega directly?
As in, contact their head office or a service center?

Hmm. I may have to...
That is what I meant. I would start with the nearest Omega (Swatch) service center. :)
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Re: Update on Boy's-size Vintage Seamaster- need help with s

Post by cholmes »

Hi Asq- I don't like wearing padded myself too bulky, but yours does look good from the top. I have contacted Omega for a strap for my oldie. They weren't very helpful, recommending I go to a omega dealer 60 miles away. I went to my local leather worker and he and I worked together to make a simple black strap that approximates the original. If you don't have a local leather shop you may find a shoe repair place has leather specialists. If you do have luck with Omega please post the contact information for us!
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Re: Update on Boy's-size Vintage Seamaster- need help with s

Post by asqwerth »

cholmes wrote:Hi Asq- I don't like wearing padded myself too bulky, but yours does look good from the top. I have contacted Omega for a strap for my oldie. They weren't very helpful, recommending I go to a omega dealer 60 miles away. I went to my local leather worker and he and I worked together to make a simple black strap that approximates the original. If you don't have a local leather shop you may find a shoe repair place has leather specialists. If you do have luck with Omega please post the contact information for us!
Carolyn
Will do, Caroline.
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Re: UPDATED-Mini Seamaster strap issue SOLVED with new strap

Post by asqwerth »

Thanks to Caroline's suggestion, I found myself a local leather craftsman who was also a watch enthusiast. Can't believe I didn't think of looking for a general leather maker in my location. Duh.

My mini SM is now on a genuine croc strap, which is only appropriate since the original Omega strap it came on was croc as well. It looks so much better. Very pleased.

Some pics:

The strap now fits nicely and flat over the buckle pin in the middle.

Image

Side view:

Image

The shorter bit of strap plus buckle:

Image
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Re: UPDATED-Mini Seamaster strap issue SOLVED with new strap

Post by Konketsu »

The new strap looks great. Well done finding someone to make the perfect strap for the watch. My Seamaster is still in the mail.. and the Gator pattern leather strap and Omega buckle I've ordered for it too. I think every watch has a "soul-mate" strap that it just matches perfectly.
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Re: UPDATED-Mini Seamaster strap issue SOLVED with new strap

Post by cholmes »

Very very nice. I'm glad that worked out.
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Re: UPDATED-Mini Seamaster strap issue SOLVED with new strap

Post by tempusmaximus »

the new strap looks fantastic your leather craftsman as done a superb job it really rounds the watch off nicely well done just out of interest can I ask how much they charged for the service
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Re: UPDATED-Mini Seamaster strap issue SOLVED with new strap

Post by footycrazy »

Perhaps the "C" buckle would have been easier, but the end result is much better. Congrats Asqwerth. :clap:
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Re: UPDATED-Mini Seamaster strap issue SOLVED with new strap

Post by Robin CB »

Great result Asqwerth 8)

You cant beat a nice bit of bespoke craftsmanship.
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Re: UPDATED-Mini Seamaster strap issue SOLVED with new strap

Post by Kip »

Persistence has paid off. Love the look. :thumbup:
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Re: UPDATED-Mini Seamaster strap issue SOLVED with new strap

Post by asqwerth »

tempusmaximus wrote:the new strap looks fantastic your leather craftsman as done a superb job it really rounds the watch off nicely well done just out of interest can I ask how much they charged for the service
Well, it wasn't cheap, costing an equivalent of about 140GBP, but the custom leather strap makers I found online that made dress/formal straps in exotic leathers would have cost more, even before factoring in shipping costs. Plus, it was so much better being able to discuss the strap with the maker face to face, showing him the original strap, and my problems with the current strap.

He also told me if the retainer loop broke or tore open any time in the future, he would rectify it free of charge.

No complaints.
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