After-Market Bands — IYO, Which Looks Best?

Submitted by EverydayCats on October 13, 2011 - 5:06pm

 I have several watch heads in nice condition, but I want to add new non-metalic bands. Any opinions on which bands look the best? I recently installed a dark brown padded croc band to a Senator and it looks nice. Since I can't try them all I though maybe I could try and narrow down to a few choices.

Thanks,,,

 

plainsmen
Posted October 13, 2011 - 5:23pm

search through the posts... Shooter had a link to some very nice hand made bands that were very reasonable it seemed.

EverydayCats
Posted October 13, 2011 - 5:42pm

In reply to by plainsmen

 Thanks, plainsman. I'll remember this if I want to shop for a band.

timerestoration
Posted October 13, 2011 - 6:00pm

 This may be a good opportunity to talk about the practical aspects of different band choices along with the Aesthetics... and maybe this has already been mentioned elsewhere on this site. 

For my money, a Leather band is the most comfortable, and will do the LEAST AMOUNT OF DAMAGE to the inside of the lugs. I have had COUNTLESS watches come through my shop that have had varying degrees of wear to the lugs... some to the point where the lug was ready to break off. This is most often caused from steel expansion bands, especially the ones that are adjustable in width between the lugs with the aid of springs that move in and out... these are IMO the worst invention ever made!! A good rule of thumb is... harder materials will wear on softer materials, as in metals. 

NEVER put a steel/gold plated bracelet on a solid gold case! The harder metal will wear away the softer (gold) in short order. Yet, I see it all the time! I can ususally talk a customer into a Quality Leather Band once I have shown the damage to the lugs.

Just another consideration along with the way a band LOOKS on a vintage watch.

mybulova_admin
Posted October 13, 2011 - 10:02pm

In reply to by timerestoration

This is a really important point to note. We see soo many 1920/30s watches with this exact problem.

shooter144
Posted October 13, 2011 - 8:05pm

Check out Rons stuff, and super good quality IMHO the best by far at very low prices, AMERICAN MADE as well......I dont know the man, but he is very friendly and the stuff really is top notch quality at $6-$20  and the $6 ones are very good. He has quite a lot of exotics as well, all of the buckles seem to be cast not stamped...good stuff.

www.internationalwatchman.com/home.html

shooter144
Posted October 13, 2011 - 8:07pm

In reply to by shooter144

If you have trouble opening the smaller windows to view products, it will only let you have the main page plus one small window open at a time.

OldTicker
Posted October 13, 2011 - 11:15pm

What looks the best is a matter of opinion, no doubt good quality real Croc/Alligator/Snake or other leather bands are the most comfortable and least damaging to your case, but they will set you back $20-50 each.

If you are looking to re-sell, you can find  cheapies for $ 0.50 to $1.00 that will do the job, but don't plan on wearing them much, because they don't hold up very long.

I always try to find a period style band for the ones I keep, if I wear a collector more than 1-2 times a year, it really won't hurt the lugs if it is a metal band, which I prefer...That is why you need at least 100 wristwatches in your collection so you can space out the wear time...; )

EverydayCats
Posted October 13, 2011 - 11:51pm

In reply to by OldTicker

 Thanks, OldTicker for answering my question. 

Guys, please take this with a smile, but I wondered if anyone actually read my question until OldTicker came along and gave me an answer.

Thanks...

Daca102090
Posted October 14, 2011 - 12:10am

100 watches??? Well I guess I need to ramp up my buying urges...

OldTicker
Posted October 14, 2011 - 12:35am

In reply to by Daca102090

LOL...

Its a disease that many here are inflected with, no known cure...but at least you are on the right site...hanging around here will help...you spend  (invest) your hard earned $$$$