Straps : OEM or Aftermarket

[Syed117]

So here's a question I've been meaning to ask the forum for a while.

What are your thoughts on straps?

I understand that not all straps are the same and the quality of leather can vary greatly. Most watch manufacturers do not make their own leather straps.

How much life are we really expecting to get out of a leather strap? And how much does that quality really affect real world use.

Here's an example. I'm getting a new watch soon that comes on a bracelet. It also comes on a deployment with a leather strap. Buying the deployment and strap combination is around $500. Seems excessive, and to be fair, most of that price is for the deployment.

Excessive prices for leather straps have always seemed ridiculous to me. A leather strap that uses about 3 inches of leather should not cost the same as a nice pair of leather shoes.

On the other hand. I can get a Camille Fournet calf skin strap that is very similar to the OEM strap and use it with an OEM buckle for around $150.

For the same price as the as the deployment and the one strap, I can go to Camille Fournet and get several in different colors to use with the OEM buckle.

Basically I'm trying to talk myself out of getting the OEM strap and deployment. I want it, but the rational part of my mind is telling me that it really won't make any tangible difference.