Panerai aftermarket straps

A big part of the fun of owning a panerai is the choice in straps. There are loads of good strap suppliers out there, here are some of my faves:

The infamous DON: http://www.homestead.com/rlx/DON.html

Mario Paci and TC straps: http://www.timeconnection.biz/

BOB straps and WACCEX buckles: http://www.waccex.de/catalog/

Panatime straps, buckles and accessories: http://www.panatime.com/

Strap Culture: http://www.strapculture.com/

Watch Prince: http://www.watchprince.com

Corley straps and storage/travel boxes: http://www.like2box.com/

There are others I would recommend who don't have sites, but can be sourced in the Accessories section of www.paneristi.com and they are:

Molina Straps (via SteveToronto)
Kurt - The Watch Boys
Greg Stevens, for big, thick vintage straps
Gabomagic for big thick vintage straps that tan with age
Micah's Vintager

Happy hunting!

[Launch Mini]

I purchased my 4 watch carrying case from The Watch Boys.
Very reasonable price, fast shipping, highly recommended.
My Greg Stevens Crazy Horse strap is on order. I hear his straps are in high demand.
They can be viewed at
www.photobucket.com
user name & password are gregstraps

I've had nine of the above list either in my possession or have handled them and I can say they're all great straps and good value for the money. Of the ones I haven't had, I know guys who do or have had them, and they all come highly recommended.

My Mario Paci MP6 and my Gabomagic are my two faves by a long shot.

I'm contemplating selling my tan OEM cuz it doesn't get used since I got my Gabo. Same with my Banda blue calfogator strap. Don't wear them... so I'll likely sell them.

[mailman]

Great links Johnny. I have a few questions for ya.

1) What's the difference, if any between the straps you listed and getting a similar OEM strap?

2) I think I recall you stating before that the Greg and Gabo are two of the better aftermarket straps. If so, why? I could be wrong and maybe you stated that they were just personal favs.

[Launch Mini]

Different styles .
Each manufacturer has his own style.
The OEM are great straps. Just to change things up, the straps really change the way the watch looks & wears.
Just look at Daren's pics. Every day a new look.
Plus, they are easy to change. I tought my wife & now she can change both of hers in a matter of minutes.
The Gabo & Greg are very thick, natural looking straps. A bit more on the historically correct styling than the OEM straps.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Launch Mini

Different styles .
Each manufacturer has his own style.
The OEM are great straps. Just to change things up, the straps really change the way the watch looks & wears.
Just look at Daren's pics. Every day a new look.
Plus, they are easy to change. I tought my wife & now she can change both of hers in a matter of minutes.
The Gabo & Greg are very thick, natural looking straps. A bit more on the historically correct styling than the OEM straps.

Thanks John

Originally Posted by mailman

Great links Johnny. I have a few questions for ya.

1) What's the difference, if any between the straps you listed and getting a similar OEM strap?

2) I think I recall you stating before that the Greg and Gabo are two of the better aftermarket straps. If so, why? I could be wrong and maybe you stated that they were just personal favs.

John's covered it nicely, but just to add to it....

While the OEM straps are great quality, personally I find them rather 'thin'. It's just my personal preference for a thicker, more robust (looking) strap. The other thing is BNIB OEM straps are freakin' expensive for what you get. Like US$200-300 a strap or more! In my mind, for the same money you can get way better straps, since OEM straps are made by Hirsch, but the price is inflated cuz they're embossed with 'Panerai'.. much like a Rolex or JLC strap is three times more than what the same would cost from the actual manufacturer.

Personally, i wouldn't pay much more than US$100 for a strap. It's a piece of leather you'll sweat on, get dirty, smelly and eventually throw away. I've read on 'risti about guys who have dropped US$800 on A SINGLE strap!!!! I'm sure it's nice but come on...

Greg and Gabo straps are, as John said, quite historic looking with the tanning of the leather and the big, thick design. Gabo doesn't finish the sides of their straps, so they have a distressed look built in. Plus, as the Gabo ages, the leather actually tans (much like Louis Vuitton leather) and get darker. Mine has already darkened a shade.

Since I only have one Panny, I prefer to have mine on thick, historic looking straps. If I had a contemporary Panny, or a more dressy Panny, I'd likely go a different route, as I think the OEMs look great on those models. But for a vintage (?) 01 like mine, I think the thick straps suit it best.

[mailman]

Thanks man. I knew some of the straps were expensive but $800,

Originally Posted by mailman

Thanks man. I knew some of the straps were expensive but $800,

I guess it's relative to their salary, but man, even if I won the lottery, I couldn't justify that kinda coin on a small piece of leather.

[Langnam]

You can but the whole friggin' cow for less than $800!
Think of all the juicy steaks, burgers, etc., before you even get to deciding what to do with the hide. Jeesh! 800 Clams, no way!

[n2btg]

I wonder where do you guys order Gabomagic straps? they look nice..

[amanda]

Originally Posted by n2btg

I wonder where do you guys order Gabomagic straps? they look nice..

Try google... I found a post on paneristi.com that explains how to buy them.



Edit : removed the link, the phot ended up being the entire advert.

Originally Posted by n2btg

I wonder where do you guys order Gabomagic straps? they look nice..

Gabomagics are routinely advertised on paneristi.com

If it's not on a given page in the accessory section, try the next most recent page. Usually runs about once a week.

[amanda]

These gabo straps look awesome, I think that might be my next one - once I have the watch of course!

Originally Posted by amanda

These gabo straps look awesome, I think that might be my next one - once I have the watch of course!

I highly recommend them, Amanda. If you look at Hutchman's group photo a few days back, you can see a brand new Gabo (very light in colour) and an older one that is very dark. They darken with age, which IMO adds to the bonding, since you helped darken through wear and tear.

[dman]

Originally Posted by mailman

Thanks man. I knew some of the straps were expensive but $800,

If you are talking $800 then you are talking about vintage WW2 straps that are from that era, I know a few guys that have them, and they don't wear them.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by dman

If you are talking $800 then you are talking about vintage WW2 straps that are from that era, I know a few guys that have them, and they don't wear them.

Do you mean the real deal from an original Pam from the era? If so then I wouldn't wear it either.

[mrbieler]

Out of curiosity, is there a reason Europelli isn't on the list?

http://www.europelli.com/index.html

Don't own one of their straps, but was thinking about it.

[Launch Mini]

I believe most of the links, if not all, listed above, generously donated straps to the GTG.

Originally Posted by Launch Mini

I believe most of the links, if not all, listed above, generously donated straps to the GTG.

True, but I've never technically handled a Europelli, so I can't comment. HOWEVER, DON tells me that his straps and a few others out there come from the same factory as the one that makes Europelli. I've studied pix of Europellis and visually they seem identical to Don's and others, yet cost two to three times more.

But from what I hear, they are great straps.

[mrbieler]

Thanks. That's good information to know. Drives me nuts when you're paying a lot more for someones re-branded.

I liked the original Europelli "bomber" series, but missed out on one and now it's a processed piece.

Just wanted to add another to the mix. Strap Works. I got one yesterday and the leather is reall soft and supple. They come with sewn-in GPF buckles, and a nice variety of colour combinations. Too early for me to give any comments on long-term wear, but my paneristi brothers say they are great straps over the long run. They certainly are well made and their customer service is immpecable.

www.strap-works.com

[amanda]

Originally Posted by Atomic

Just wanted to add another to the mix. Strap Works. I got one yesterday and the leather is reall soft and supple. They come with sewn-in GPF buckles, and a nice variety of colour combinations. Too early for me to give any comments on long-term wear, but my paneristi brothers say they are great straps over the long run. They certainly are well made and their customer service is immpecable.

www.strap-works.com

Atomic- what sizes do they come in? I couldnt find any info on the site about 22mm - or am I just blind?

EDIT - Ignore me, i had temporary size blindness.... no 22mm that I could find only big ones! :(

[Solo118]

Had to bump this up!