Are panerai oem straps worth the premium

[Tourpro]

I was looking to purchase a new strap for my 000 to change up the look since the 380 has joined the family. My ad gives me 10 off straps does not seem like a great deal but was wondering if the oem straps are worth the hefty price tag or are the aftermarket straps just as good. Does anyone know who makes the panerai straps, surly they sell to secondary market.

[rr-nyc]

I like OEM and some aftermarket straps.

They have very different looks IMO. The OEM look more refined (for lack of a better word) and arguably worth the price but they are pricey none the less.

I've had ABP, Heroic, and Panatime straps and like them all but I still go back to OEM on a regular basis

[advocatia]

No. Not in my opinion.

[HDHNTER]

Other than what came w/ my PAMs every strap I have is aftermarket. I find the OEM's too short & they just don't do it for me like vintage leather handmade into a unique piece of wearable history/art by a skilled artisan. OEM's could cost half of what aftermarket does & I would still buy aftermarket.

[One Ping Only]

I like both, but IMO you are better off purchasing OEM lightly used for a substantial savings.

[Speed]

In my opinion, OEM straps are precisely made and very high quality - they should be!

You will really notice the detail on deployant straps which need superb thin 6 o'clock sides to thread the OEM buckle.

As a general rule, aftermarkets are much thicker straps with thick keepers. Many folks like this look.

[advocatia]

OEM are excellent quality but wayyyy overpriced. Dont get me started on what they charge for a buckle.
At the price point of 175 to 225 there are fine craftsmen and women all over the planet who will custom make you anything you want and which is equal or superior to oem. For me its the insane prices panerai charges thats a deal killer.

[toulouse]

I agree, the prices are too high on the OEM. I do like certain oem's though and have recently acquired some new or fairly new from 2nd hand sources at prices much more reasonable. The oem alligators are very nice and so is the assoultemente (sp? and the jv gold nubuck. There are other very nice ones too, but yes, they are a bit overpriced. I think most of us have a larger number of aftermarket straps than oem though. So many nice strap makers out there with vintage, custom one of a kind straps. I like both, but will only buy aftermarket now that I have the few oem's that I wanted.

[NoVaSubowner]

I would love to buy lightly used OEM straps as the prices are right 2nd hand. My problem is that you hardly ever see XL (115X95) straps on the market. The Panerai XL is the shortest length I can wear. Even then the tip just goes through the keeper at the 2nd to last hole....

[wingku]

Aftermarket straps have so much more varieties and so much fun in finding the right combo!!

[Cru Jones]

I like OEM for gators especially. However, I can't be bothered to switch the buckle from strap to strap, and since the OEM buckles are truly INSANELY priced, I don't buy OEM straps.

[kilyung]

I have mostly OEM

[RUpanerai]

Both are good, the fit on the OEM straps are great but the finish and some of the attention to detail have much to be desired.

OEM straps are NOT worth the premium, esp at the 370 price of a gator now a days. ADs only get these around 30 off so that isnt much margin on these.

[masterserg]

Well, if you find one you love, then it is worth it.

[jvo300]

OEM gators are worth it. They are the best IMO. Getting them lightly used, second hand makes sense to me from a value perspective.

[p_mcgee]

I've owned aftermarket straps from about 5 different manufacturers and always end up selling them & gravitating back to OEM. I like that the OEMs are much less blocky at the buckle end and I like the width taper, just seems to fit better.

I'm keeping one GSD Horween strap that was made in my hometown, other than that its an OEM rotation: Assolutamente, a couple of calfs, a gator & maybe an eventual JV. If you buy the OEMs second-hand they are not ridiculously priced. Don't think I'd buy from an AD.

[Capvvc]

I like wearing a high end watch, with a super quality strap. If I have cheaper out on the strap, than I cheapen the watch, IMO. I buy the XL straps, and use them in rotation with all my Panerai's. I hate spending the money, but like the quality!

[TopNotchChach]

Someone recommend a black gator with contrast stitching. Thanks

[Shade]

Yes, all Panerai OEM gators IMHO are worth the premium.

The non gators one are not really...

[B. Doggy]

I've really been liking OEM as of late. They are spendy though.

[toulouse]

Does anyone know if the oem gators stretch at all? I just got the brown but it fits a bit too snug (and the next hole makes it too loose). Should I wear it a couple days and see if it stretches or just sell it? (while we're on the topic of oem gators).

[lsavoldi]

Hi guys,
First post on this forum.
Long time vintage Rolex collector, who have recently fell in love with Panerai.
I am looking to purchase my first one and I am a bit concerned about size.
I have a rather small wrist, 6.25, and believe the 40mm model is the most suitable.
Anyone with small wrists wearing 42/44 models ? It would be great to see some pics.
Many thanks in advance
Luciano

[lsavoldi]

Sorry, posted on the wrong thread

[JBBI]

I LIKE THE AFTERMARKET AMMO STRAPS ON MY PAM'S. KEEP THE OEM'S IN NEW CONDITION FOR RE-SALE

[gregvisser]

Just ordered a black OEM gator for my 190. Coughing up US$440 to get it here in New Zealand. Are you feeling my pain yet?

Greg

[advocatia]

Originally Posted by gregvisser

Just ordered a black OEM gator for my 190. Coughing up US$440 to get it here in New Zealand. Are you feeling my pain yet?

Greg

Good thing you didn't need a buckle. I think they are in the $300 USD range these days. Simona = half the price = equal or better quality = more custom choices. The same can be said for a half dozen other quality makers out there. I simply would not pay Panerai what they want for straps and for me it's a matter of sensibility not budget.

[p_mcgee]

Originally Posted by advocatia

Simona = half the price = equal or better quality = more custom choices.

I flipped my Simona vintage gator, still expensive & not even close to OEM quality IMO. I hear her rolled edge gators are nice but only come in 2 colors and cost the same as OEM.

[rr-nyc]

Originally Posted by advocatia

Good thing you didn't need a buckle. I think they are in the $300 USD range these days. Simona = half the price = equal or better quality = more custom choices. The same can be said for a half dozen other quality makers out there. I simply would not pay Panerai what they want for straps and for me it's a matter of sensibility not budget.

In leather, i think there are some excellent aftermarket straps out there that provide a different look vs oem however, I've never seen an after market gator strap that even comes close in quality to OEM.

OEM gator straps cost $390 in the us

[masterkiller]

They are pricey, but the gators a nice!

[malik713]

OEM Gator I got is really nice. Paid $100 used. Definitely worth it.

$300+ is way too much.