AP strap problems….

[lapince]

Hi all,

Since I have my CE diver and before getting it, have been wanting a rubber blue strap from the Navy, another member did it except he just took the black strap but I want the blue, purchased a blue one from another brand and it looks great, just the quality is not as great as the AP one but for 69$ it's ok.

A few days ago I wrote the AP showroom where I got it, getting the answer that they are not compatible with my diver… After having replied that they are compatible as I know someone who did it no reply…

I then contacted an AP AD in Paris, I got his answer today… Man They are kidding!!!!

He tells me no problem he says, but they want the serial number from my watch case, not the model, the serial, so that they can order the straps from AP, ok it seems in France we can't order like we want, and that really sucks when you know that in the rest of the world you can, didn't really care a lot for the black strap but I REALLY wanted the blue one, that really sucks, won't even loose my time with answering as I already know he's gonna tell me they're NOT compatible when I know they are, I mean ROO case, 28mm strap width size, and not compatible? Yeah right…

I am so tired of the "high end brands" rules on not touching anything in the watches they sell you, had the issue from Rolex and up, what if I don't want to be like all the guys who bought a diver and who have the original black strap and want it on the Navy strap? Or even pink if I wanted to, I mean I bought it the rest should be my F…. business, one of the few to have a cool policy on this is RM, as I understand they sell you the straps you want plus you can even change the crown, now they have more than 100 IQ, I mean it's not like they're giving it away at the price of 710 euros, 310 bracelet and 400 buckle as the diver buckle is too large for this strap…

Really wondering what to do, either try to order from outside Europe, with the added pleasure of paying 20% import tax :bang head: or trying to source a legit Navy serial number, but not knowing anyone who has one I don't think I will get one, if there was a way to transform the black rubber into navy blue rubber would gladly do it, but not the case…

I'm gonna ask my grey dealer friend as he has AP's on sale maybe he has or will have a Navy and can order from AP or lend me for the order the serial number. But not sure he will, so if anyone did this kind of thing and knows where and how I can proceed it would be great, preferably in France but hey I'll take France, then Europe and then the rest of the world

Thanks for your replies

[PJ S]

I'd imagine that if you speak with the Service Centre instead, and ask them or give them the part number for the strap, then you'll be able to buy it.
I'll see if I can turn something up from AP UK for you.

Good ol' Alastair, a real credit to AP each time I've phoned to get information to help others out with – BR043.683.027CA
Quote that part code, that'll get you the blue rubber strap and as it's a Diver's one, you can reuse your existing buckle.

[lapince]

Originally Posted by PJ S

I'd imagine that if you speak with the Service Centre instead, and ask them or give them the part number for the strap, then you'll be able to buy it.
I'll see if I can turn something up from AP UK for you.

Good ol' Alastair, a real credit to AP each time I've phoned to get information to help others out with – BR043.683.027CA
Quote that part code, that'll get you the blue rubber strap and as it's a Diver's one, you can reuse your existing buckle.

WOW thanks man, I just sent an email to the 2 guys I already contacted, but the director of the AP showroom told me they have strict instructions from AP to NOT put other straps on the diver than the black ones, so we will see, if I can't get it in France would greatly appreciate if you have any contact in the UK where I can order it, I find all this really silly especially that I have always heard AP was rather cool with these kind of things, but seems not so much, you buy a house, car you can paint it the way you want, when you buy a high end watch you should be able to put the strap you want…

Thanks in advance for any info where to order the strap of in France they refuse to.

[PJ S]

If you get the bum steer from France, let me know and I'll see if either Alastair can speak with them or deal with you directly.
By the sounds of it, if every region has their own interpretation of what the policy is, then it shows that the Swiss aren't overly strict on what gets used on what, if it happens to fit it.

Don't worry, we'll get you sorted with a blue rubber strap one way or another.
Look at it this way, you were working towards spending €710 on strap and buckle – now you'll be spending less and not having to go with a narrower clasp, since you'll be using the existing one on the black strap.
So even if it costs an extra few € for postage from London to Paris, you're still ahead of where you were this morning.

[lapince]

Originally Posted by PJ S

If you get the bum steer from France, let me know and I'll see if either Alastair can speak with them or deal with you directly.
By the sounds of it, if every region has their own interpretation of what the policy is, then it shows that the Swiss aren't overly strict on what gets used on what, if it happens to fit it.

Don't worry, we'll get you sorted with a blue rubber strap one way or another.
Look at it this way, you were working towards spending €710 on strap and buckle – now you'll be spending less and not having to go with a narrower clasp, since you'll be using the existing one on the black strap.
So even if it costs an extra few € for postage from London to Paris, you're still ahead of where you were this morning.

Thanks a lot, I sent you a PM. Anyways for the others I found an AP AD which said he has nothing against selling me the BR.043.683.027CA, he says it is compatible for the diver, I just asked him to confirm that this strap is blue, maybe it won't be the Navy blue but that's not important, so if he tells me that yes this is the blue strap I will order it.

Thanks a lot mate

[AK797]

Originally Posted by PJ S

I'd imagine that if you speak with the Service Centre instead, and ask them or give them the part number for the strap, then you'll be able to buy it.
I'll see if I can turn something up from AP UK for you.

Good ol' Alastair, a real credit to AP each time I've phoned to get information to help others out with – BR043.683.027CA
Quote that part code, that'll get you the blue rubber strap and as it's a Diver's one, you can reuse your existing buckle.

Agree service centres are easier places to buy straps.

[tcheeco]

Maybe they just don't know you, mate... AP has strict rules about selling parts.
So, just wear your watch and visit an AD. Try some models then order your Navy strap. You'll see they sell it to you as you're an AP owner ;-)

[lapince]

Originally Posted by tcheeco

Maybe they just don't know you, mate... AP has strict rules about selling parts.
So, just wear your watch and visit an AD. Try some models then order your Navy strap. You'll see they sell it to you as you're an AP owner ;-)

They know me very well, this is the guy from whom I bought the diver in the first place he wrote me they have strict rules not to "denature" the watches, I call it better the watches but for them it's denaturing them...

[tcheeco]

Originally Posted by lapince

They know me very well, this is the guy from whom I bought the diver in the first place he wrote me they have strict rules not to "denature" the watches, I call it better the watches but for them it's denaturing them...

Wtf??? It's your watch, and you can personalize it how you want...
Such a same :-(

[lapince]

Originally Posted by tcheeco

Wtf??? It's your watch, and you can personalize it how you want...
Such a same :-(

Well I see it exactly the same way as you but AP as well as many other brands don't seem to share this idea, which really sucks IMO

[singe89]

I can see AP not changing SS bezels for ceramic ones (I wish they did) but don't see why they wouldn't sell you a strap. I have changed the straps on just about every AP I've owned and I was never questioned.

Clearwater actually pointed me to the gray rubber strap and larger tang buckle for my elephant to make it work properly. They even asked for pics so they could show other customers the fit and how well the color matched the dial. Really glad we have the people in Clearwater and APNA.

[lapince]

OK great news, I have ordered the blue rubber strap for the diver, I didn't mention that I have the ceramic diver, just said I have the diver, the guy from whom I bought them at the AP showroom told me he wouldn't order it for me since they have instructions from AP to not "denaturate" the watches, which I find stupid, if they allow a SS diver to be worn with a blue rubber band why the hell can't I wear my ceramic with the blue one??? It looks awesome, won't post pics with the cheap blue rubber strap I bought but will when I have the AP one, honestly it's a great upgrade and it looks really cool, much nicer IMO than on black strap.

PJ thanks a lot for your help in giving me the reference number as AP was not willing to give it to me.

So I can say I am quite happy and will have my diver exactly like I want it.

Thanks guys

[PJ S]

Not a problem Arnaud – good to hear you've now got it sorted.
Thanks obviously goes to Alastair for enlightening us that the blue rubber already exists for the diver – so a virtual pint for him.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by PJ S

Not a problem Arnaud – good to hear you've now got it sorted.
Thanks obviously goes to Alastair for enlightening us that the blue rubber already exists for the diver – so a virtual pint for him.

[redsubby]

Are you sure you want a blue strap with black ceramic diver? Not sure how that will turn out.
Thought about ordering an orange rubber strap for mine as it will match the orange, but it's 1.5x the cost of black one and 6 month wait.

[simongpaez]

Looking forward to see some pics

[lapince]

Originally Posted by PJ S

Not a problem Arnaud – good to hear you've now got it sorted.
Thanks obviously goes to Alastair for enlightening us that the blue rubber already exists for the diver – so a virtual pint for him.

Yeah you can thank him on my behalf if you get the chance

Originally Posted by redsubby

Are you sure you want a blue strap with black ceramic diver? Not sure how that will turn out.
Thought about ordering an orange rubber strap for mine as it will match the orange, but it's 1.5x the cost of black one and 6 month wait.

Oh yeah absolutely sure, got the same looking one from another brand at a cheap price, 69$, and IMO it looks great, won't post any pics since it's not a super strap but will when I get the AP one, for me the blue black combo is very cool

Originally Posted by simongpaez

Looking forward to see some pics

Will definitely post some