^^^ Thank you!

Ok watch aficionados-
I need a good website to purchase watch bands. I have a nice 1960's Bulova that was my Fathers, and in need of a new leather / alligator / ostrich band.

On a side note, I don't get why back in the 50's & 60's, smaller watches were "in". This Bulova is tiny! It fits my wife (who's like > < this much taller than a midget) perfectly. I don't know how my Dad, at 6'00" 200lbs wore this little thing.

^if you're trying to avoid Amazon I understand. Some decent brands will sell there. Lug size?

I was actually looking for a strap on the sub-reddit that named a few options

https://www.reddit.com/r/Watch...ld_i_find_a_quality/

https://holbensfinewatchbands....riant=16229929156719

For bands/bracelets, I often take a look at strapcode.com.

I know it’s not leather, but my IWC Spitfire came it’s leather and it was never quite the right size. I ended up getting a RubberB strap in their dream strap series. It’s the most comfortable strap I have ever worn. Here is a link to the one I bought. While they are matched to each case, you can get creative and probably make one work for your watch.

The guy who runs the place is super cool and willing to work with people as he said it wouldn’t work for my watch and I was certain it would. He said if it didn’t work he would give me a refund if I returned the strap. It worked and I love the strap.

https://rubberb.com/iwc-rubber...d52a3FtQGGy6h47Psp5y

quote:

Originally posted by CPD SIG:
Ok watch aficionados-
I need a good website to purchase watch bands. I have a nice 1960's Bulova that was my Fathers, and in need of a new leather / alligator / ostrich band.

On a side note, I don't get why back in the 50's & 60's, smaller watches were "in". This Bulova is tiny! It fits my wife (who's like > < this much taller than a midget) perfectly. I don't know how my Dad, at 6'00" 200lbs wore this little thing.

As others have remarked previously, you'll need to know the width between the lugs and your wrist size to get a proper fit. Also, IMHO getting QUICK RELEASE PINS is a great idea! These make it easy to swap out straps if you have multiple choices.

Here's three custom strap companies that I've ordered from, all of which offer good options at reasonable prices. Tuns provides the best value, but don't let the low prices fool you. They have great products and I'm very pleased with their quality!!! I've included some pics of straps I've ordered from these three companies for you to get an idea of what's out there.

Tuns:



https://tunsstore.com/

Liger:



https://ligerstraps.com/collec...s/shop-by-collection

Strap Tailor (probably my favorite):



https://thestraptailor.com/

You mentioned alligator and ostrich:

Alligator:



Ostrich:



Croc:



Some of the options from my wife's collection:

quote:

Originally posted by CPD SIG:
Ok watch aficionados-
I need a good website to purchase watch bands. I have a nice 1960's Bulova that was my Fathers, and in need of a new leather / alligator / ostrich band.

On a side note, I don't get why back in the 50's & 60's, smaller watches were "in". This Bulova is tiny! It fits my wife (who's like > < this much taller than a midget) perfectly. I don't know how my Dad, at 6'00" 200lbs wore this little thing.

Etsy has alot of watchband makers that will custom fit one for you. I have 8.5" wrists and have gotten some great bands on Etsy

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
Very nice MarineStar. I was looking at them when the Lunar Pilot caught my eye. I went for the LP.

You gotta hand it to Bulova/Citizen for the quality. Mine had perfect hand alignment as well.

The LP caught my eye as well. I bought into the space nostalgia hook, line, and sinker. Found a 2019 NIB 96B258. I was a little concerned about all the complaints about the 45mm size but it feels much better than my Marine Star. My 2 dimensional 6.5" wrist seems to be happy. Also, I discovered that both the MS and LP have the same complications and both can micro-adjust the the hands with the pushers.

I have had that Bulova in my cart on Amazon forever. Nice.

I preferred the NO DATE Complication. Plus I got this on a really good sale through the AAFES (Army and Air Force Exchange Service) website. I was kinda looking at the White Dial, but it was not on sale

Thanks for the links, Gents!

Damn you guys have some nice watches!!!

I know the lug with, it's the length I need to shorten. It's easy, I have a tape measure.

Pulli- I asked her if she was going to switch bands, more than likely, she's going to stick with one, so the quick-release for her really isn't needed.
For me, on the other hand... well....

(I may or may not have pulled the trigger on something, or somethings in the past week or so. I'll post them when they come in. I have a feeling some of you may give me a thumbs up or two)

Threw a strap on. Completely different watch. On the 45mm, a Nato strap needs curved spring bars so I will check that out later.



...later

The Nato has more wrist presence but serves its function and the keepers match.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SigSentry,

So my wife got a birthday gift, a dial and set of hands from Namoki (cause I forgot to close the internets, very sneaky!) They call it the Tropical Divemaster:




She asked today when I was going to get around to making something with it, so….



It doesn’t really show the dial colors well, it’s less red than on the website photo, and more yellowsh brown, very unique looking. Found the only hand set I had that was more cream/yellow than bright, and a leather strap I’ve had a while, and I think it looks ok.

More n looks, that damn seconds hand went on first try, so that makes it a one of a kind for my watches!

Bill R

^ nice work. Is that what they call fumé? What watch is that?

Just watched a video swapping out for a Namoki dial. Sounds like a fun project. There may be a Timgrapher in my future.

quote:

Originally posted by SigSentry:
^ nice work. Is that what they call fumé? What watch is that?

Just watched a video swapping out for a Namoki dial. Sounds like a fun project. There may be a Timgrapher in my future.

Not sure about the case, it’s just a generic steel case I grabbed online because I wanted to try something a little more dressy than the last couple of giant divers I’ve done.

I think the dial is supposed to look like one that has faded over time maybe? I just like the way it went with the brown leather and cream color Luke on the hands.

Bill R

I would like to start off by saying:
I blame you guys!
I think it's going to be fun living in a van, down by the river. I'm pretty sure VTOHKY is going to be great company, the bourbon is going to be excellent, and some great guns to shoot. When the rest of you join, please bring your own lawn chair.

I was able to get two nice pieces the past week or so, I just wasn't able to post them up until now.

Stick, again, WHY DON'T YOU HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL?
You're absolutely right, Titanium is a perfect metal to make a watch with!
This Helm might just be my EDC!

IMG_4827 by CPD SIG, on Flickr

Long story short, I got one of my Bosses interested in these Helms, His number came up before mine, we were both looking at the Titainimum KHURABURI, he was able to get 2.
Man, this thing is comfortable to wear!!!


A few days before, one of my grail watches came in. I snatched this up (Speedmaster with the big box) for a great price. It's in awesome shape! So without further adieu- Speedmaster Pro- Sapphire sandwich.

IMG_4828 by CPD SIG, on Flickr

And the back:

IMG_4829 by CPD SIG, on Flickr

Sorry about the crappy iPhone picts, but I'm a cop and a watch enthusiast not a photographer... I'm sure you guys (and gals) appreciate the watch more than the pict!

Not as cool as that titanium just above… I really need to just give in and get on the list!

Anyway, I don’t normally go for shiny in watches, but I loved everything about this case, size, weight, shape. But it’s definitely shiny. And blue. Very blue.

So I figured I would just lean into it, and found a shiny, blue bracelet, and found a shiny blue dial on ebay.



So experiment time, see if I can get used to shiny!

Bill R

Stylophiles, If you make me spend more money, I'm gonna be pissed!

That is NICE!
I'm really digging the blue center links!

re- The Helms.
You are getting a LOT OF WATCH for that price! I found out about them on here, did some research, between the reviews here and the rest of the interwebs, I haven't found anything bad about them!
I didn't have a Titanium in my collection and the Helm would scratch that itch. Well, until I pull the trigger on a Pelagos.
I've had it for about a week.... I'm sold!
I really don't mind a "heavy" watch, I love my Marathons, really love the Marathon CSAR with the SS bracelet. You know you're wearing a watch!
Now that I'm wearing this Titanium.... WOW!!!! Super light, durable, and for a sub $500 watch, you can't beat this thing! If you're not into "shiny", take a look at the black dial. You can do the rubber or canvas straps.

My wife said “it’s perfect, it will look great with your uniform”…

I was like…”life expectancy of finish 32.8 seconds of my first “person experiencing crisis”

But, I admit, it is kind of growing on me.

The Helms I am loving, but, if (when) I lose one of my home growns, I’m only out maybe $100 max, and I bet I could salvage the case, even if the crystal and movement don’t make it!

I might be overthinking it though…. And I love not just the weight, but that look of titanium!

Bill R