Ted Su French Ammo

[CMT]

Forgive the long-winded nature of this post as I recently serviced my 112F, I've been wearing it exclusively since its return and I feel like I'm falling in love with the Luminor all over again.

Despite owning my 112 for over ten years I haven't really purchased as many straps as one would think, preferring the extra OEM bands that I originally purchased with the watch to most of the third party offerings I've seen. I picked up an OEM Riva strap about two years ago at the Florence boutique as a honeymoon keepsake, and recently snagged an awesome Heroic 18 strap from a member here, but I'd gotten the itch for something fresh since I knew I'd be wearing the 112 pretty exclusively for a while.

Ted Su had always been on my radar as a third party supplier that I some day wanted to own, but while I liked the whole ammo strap look I did not feel like paying ~ $300+ for a Swiss Ammo depending upon the number of stamps used on the piece. I need to save that money for the JV I plan to buy soon.

I really liked the look of the French Ammos he advertised, so I thought I'd give one a try. It took a while for it to get to me, almost two weeks from order to delivery, however I suspect this was because I had it personalized with my intials.




































It's cool and I dig it. The color is pretty much as-advertised on the Ted Su site, although there's a slight bit of greenish drab to its color in person than either his or my pics show. I like his buckle style, and overall am very happy with the quality of its construction.

It's miserably uncomfortable, but I kind of expected this given the way these straps break in. I normally wear standard-sized straps on the second to last hole, so new stuff always feels tight and restricting until everything has a chance to loosen up a bit. As with anything, I guess. I wore it all day yesterday and even overnight and it's starting to feel better.

I'm looking forward to seeing how this one wears in over time, as the photo of a few weeks old French Ammo on the Ted Su site has a killer honeyed patina that sold me on the piece.












I'm hoping for great things.

Thanks for checking out the thread, and I hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend.

[MCHI09]

Very nice strap and great write up. Will have to add Ted to my ever growing list of strap makers to check out

[Travelller]

Congrats on your new acquisition - he/they do nice work! I love how he used the colors of the french flag as threading at the buckle-end!

Thx for the pics / let us know how she breaks in

[zlin08033]

Very very very nice strap!!!

[PanosI]

Looks nice. Congrats !!

[Psmith]

Looks great

[MP5]

Teds are superb and that one looks really nice

[MP5]

did you request the R/W/B threads or is that a new trademark?

[DiverAsia]

Originally Posted by MP5

did you request the R/W/B threads or is that a new trademark?

I ordered a cordovan strap from them last month. It turned out nice.
They do a good job and they prices are very reasonable.

The three colored threads are standard on all their new french ammo straps.

[htc8p]

i love tedsu straps.

i give it 110%

[Cru Jones]

Nice one!

By my count, that's four straps in TEN years? Wow! You clearly haven't been infected with the "strap virus."

[CMT]

Thanks guys, It's been two days and it's already loosened up a bit to the point where it doesn't feel quite as constricting on my wrist. I already love the thing and it's making me impatient - I want it to immediately take on all its awesome qualities without the actual breaking-in part of breaking it in.

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Nice one!

By my count, that's four straps in TEN years? Wow! You clearly haven't been infected with the "strap virus."

I was at first. I initially added a third of the price of the purchase to my 112 buying OEM straps from the AD, then straps from Eliot at TC, and then I won a strap case and Danish Winter Pale from Aurelio at a Boston Panerai Dinner in early 04. At one point I had a lot of straps, but only a few that I liked enough to actually wear, so I started giving the others away and never really purchased more. Maybe one here and there as a color would catch my eye.

One of my favorites is the OEM "Black Seal" strap that I bought with the watch. It began life as a yellow strap but took on a deep mustard patina as it broke in over the years. I wish I had a better photo uploaded than this worthless cell phone pic:



It's color has changed a lot over the years and it's supremely comfortable. When I can bear to remove this Su I'll have to take a few photos as it's all funky, nasty, and 100% OG legit.

[nauticajoe]

Nice combo.

[joleel7]

Great combo congrat

[B. Doggy]

Those are some clean pics, man. Money.

[joe100]

Muy nice!

[bcacncnc]

Very nice strap and clearly some great workmanship went into it. Nice score.

[CMT]

Thanks guys, it's been a few days of wear and it's starting to feel pretty comfortable on the wrist, and certainly a whole world better than fresh out the pouch!



I like it more and more each day. I do have one question about that long/double-length stitch just off the lugs on the buckle end, as it looks a bit weird, but the official pics on the Su site seem to have this same stitch so it could be a part of the design.



I email them about it, we'll see what Su has to say.

[Sherwooddavid]

Very nice looking strap !

[CharlieSheen]

hmmmmm those pics look familiar. Could it be true a TRF gentleman is on OT :)

[CMT]

Originally Posted by CharlieSheen

hmmmmm those pics look familiar. Could it be true a TRF gentleman is on OT :)

Oh boy, there goes the neighborhood.

Also, about that double-length stitch, I really should have read his site closer:

http://tedsustraps.3dcartstores.com/...ead_ep_37.html

The double-cross stitching on the buckle end of the strap is the new Ted Su identity. It will be found on all vintage straps such Swiss and French ammo straps.

So I'm the idiot, but that's just business as usual.

One more pic, have a great weekend all!

[CMT]

As a final followup, the strap has worn very well over the past month and a half. It has darkened, and developed the promised honey patina with a very rich, vintage look to it. It has also broken in perfectly and is now very comfortable on the wrist. I wear standard-sized straps on the second to last hole, and where it was once slightly tight it now fits perfectly.









I hope everyone is having a great week!

[Cru Jones]

that strap does indeed seem to be coming along nicely. thanks for the follow up pix!

[CMT]

Happy to report back, Cru, I figure I'll update again in ~ 6 months once there's been time for it to really break in.

[wingku]

Great shots and review! Helpful!

[jvo300]

Love the review! Thanks!

[Gottahaverolex]

I loved your pics so much I ordered one in 85/145 I can't wait to get it!

[badgtho]

Excellent review

[alljunks]

Great choice,,

[DiverAsia]

Looks great!
Thanks for sharing.
Cheers!