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Post by C4L18R3 on Dec 11, 2013 7:41:40 GMT -8
Yeah this type...   Why the hell are they so expensive?! I've seen these in the USD295-500 price range. WTF?!?!? But more to the point of this thread... Are they really worth it? I'd like to know more because to be honest I'm really tempted to get one. How is it in the flesh? Is it supple and comfortable? Or is it smooth or rough to the touch? Does it suck up dust and turn annoyingly gray like silicone? Are they really from the 60's? Being NOS, has anybody experienced this type of strap disintegrate or crumble simply due to old age? Does it smell like vanilla? Is it made of a special rubber/nano-something-something compound developed in a secret facility? Are they still being made? Who makes them? (I tried on Google but couldn't find anything) To me, these are the best looking rubber straps you could put on any vintage diver. If I'm going to pay top dollar for such a thing, then I should know exactly what I'm getting. Appreciate your thoughts/advice/experiences... |
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Post by timewatcher on Dec 11, 2013 7:45:34 GMT -8
I know nothing about them other then they are pricey!
There is NO way I would pay that kind of money for a strap!!
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trandy
Needs a Life!
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Post by trandy on Dec 11, 2013 8:34:39 GMT -8
I have bought some nice straps...mostly in the $50.00 to $100.00 range...and I have been very satisfied with them.
But the Tropic strap thing escapes me....just as well as they're too short for me anyway.
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donciccio
Is a Permanent Fixture
Posts: 6,160
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Post by donciccio on Dec 11, 2013 9:27:13 GMT -8
The Tropic strap is popular because early Rolex and Tudor Submariners were issued with the Tropic rubber straps as were Blancpain Fifty Fathoms sold by LIP (in the 60s and 70s). A number of divers watch, those collectively known as super-compressors (like the Longines Legend Diver, IWC Aquatimer amongst others) were issued with Tropic straps. They are very supple and comfortable and in my opinion worth it to complete the look for certain watches. The prices on eBay are all over the place though. I would never pay more than $75 for the right one. They also have many listed as "tropic style" but those are lower in quality and you can tell right away when you have the right thing to compare. On my one Heuer Jumbo diver I have an original Tropic strap. 
The second one is on a "Tropic Style" and while they may look the same the difference is night and day.
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Post by C4L18R3 on Dec 11, 2013 16:32:48 GMT -8
donciccio, nice Heuers! They look great with the strap. Unfortunately for me these straps seldom pop up in the 75-100 USD price range. And because of their association with these Swiss brands I guess they get to keep their prices at a certain level. I keep wondering though, if these straps are so popular with collectors why don't other companies manufacture them? By this time, the patent must've expired. I'm not talking about cheap silicone copies (like the one I have) but real deal rubber straps in a similar if not the same design? That would be a hit!
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cd_god
Is a Permanent Fixture
Finna set up a HOOD next door to your richie phuk suburban mansion
Posts: 12,249
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Post by cd_god on Dec 11, 2013 21:50:13 GMT -8
I have never been a fan of or ever worn a watch on a rubber strap of any sort.
I guess it has to do with collectors going for originality or supposed originality. |
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Post by 69ChevelleSS on Dec 12, 2013 6:23:57 GMT -8
When I was a kid, I had a Sheffield watch on a rubber strap like the first picture. I liked it just fine from what I can recall and I think these look great on a diver.
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Rod
WS Benefactor
Posts: 2,213
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Post by Rod on Dec 12, 2013 13:49:51 GMT -8
They were also fitted by Seiko to the 62MAS  |
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Post by C4L18R3 on Dec 12, 2013 18:30:01 GMT -8
They were also fitted by Seiko to the 62MAS I didn't know that! Funny but the reason I actually want one is to put on my 62MAS homage! |
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Post by Groundhog66 on Dec 12, 2013 19:05:13 GMT -8
I'd love to get one, for one of my Heuer's...
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Rod
WS Benefactor
Posts: 2,213
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Post by Rod on Dec 13, 2013 0:39:32 GMT -8
They were also fitted by Seiko to the 62MAS I didn't know that! Funny but the reason I actually want one is to put on my 62MAS homage! Well that's great, the correct version has the, 1 hole, 3 hole, 1 hole, pattern a063 |
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Post by saul on Dec 13, 2013 5:19:35 GMT -8
If you want to jump into the shallow end of the pool $$$-wise, Modena makes a pretty decent 1-3-1 rubber tropic. www.amazon.com/MODENA-Tropic-Rubber-watch-Divers/dp/B004D0EQ12/ref=sr_1_21?m=ANHA6N4XJQDE5&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1386940317&sr=1-21One thing I like about it is the 20/18 taper (22/18 is also out there). I have a vintage 1-3-1 Swiss rubber (paid about $40 from Squinky). It's 19/16 which is typical but I only find it well balanced on a smaller 19mm watch (eg: 6106-8237) as opposed to any of my larger 19mm lugged watches (6139/6138). Caveats about this strap though, I found it a little short on my 7.5" wrist, it will not accommodate 2.5mm spring bars (don't even try), inserting a standard spring bar required silicone and effort and trying to remove it (IIRC to pull a 20mm and move to a 19mm) wound up tearing the strap material and ruining it. But for the price it's worth a shot. |
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