Best place to buy quality rep rubber straps?

[jj69]

I've been out of the rep game for a few years, so I figured I'd post here before I waste my money. Is there a good reliable source from which to get quality rep rubber straps? Most TDs don't want to be bothered with straps, so they tend to be overpriced. I'm starting to see a lot of rep Breitling straps pop up on Etsy, and I noticed a web site called Buystrap.com has them as well.

How is the quality of these rep straps? Is one of these dealers better than the rest? I noticed most of these straps come with a fairly poor "Ocean Racer" style clasp that has adjustment holes drilled in the sides rather than the micro adjustment mechanism built into the gen clasp (and the high end Breitling reps).

 

[Madcap]

The rep rubber straps you see on Etsy, can vary in quality, compared to my gen breitling straps, in general they feel stiffer, not as thick and not quite as supple as the gen straps
Ive bought a few, and after a soak in hot water they do soften up more and conform better on the wrist, but i suspect they are made more of silicone rather than the vulcanized rubber that the gen straps use

The rep straps tend to work well with thinner watches like the GMT, superocean etc, on the seawolf they just dont balance the weight of the watch well enough

Just fyi, there are 2 types of Pro3 straps floating out there, one has a thinner incorrect font, the other has the correct font, but the 'L' is raised rather than embossed like the original


private image sharing Gen


private image sharing Rep with raised 'L'


private image sharing Rep with incorrect font

The cheaper clasp mentioned doesnt have the ratcheting micro adjust, P@T has a thread where he uses the clasp with a milanese bracelet

 

[jj69]

Thanks! Great info. Looks like these are low quality.

Is any one of our TDs most recommended for fairest prices on the top quality Breitling rubber strapa?

 

[Madcap]

only GF so far has the rubber strap, but even then its not as good as the gen.
Suggest you to pop into a Breitling AD and see if they have any available, they arent that expensive for the quality they offer

 

[jj69]

Who us GF?

 

[Zbomb33]

GF is G Factory, Jtime can probably help you out.

 

[tkingjr]

In most cases GF will not sell just a strap. I usually get the extra strap when I place a watch order.

 

[jj69]

I'm looking at the photos of the GF straps on Jtime and they look no different from the Aliexpress straps. Same flaws in the Pro3 and everything. Does GF use better quality rubber, or are their clasps better quality or something?

 

[Madcap]

i only have 1 such Pro 3 deployant strap from GF, when i purchased the blacksteel chronomat. It feels like rubber, but its not as plush and pliable as my gen straps.
Its not something i can explain in words, you really have to have them in hand and on the wrist to feel the difference.

I suggest you look at the thickness of the watch to decide which rep strap to buy. The raised "L" straps are decent for the money and are readily available from Alixpress & DHgate for about $20
They also come with the cheap deployant clasps that dont have the micro-adjust feature. Again for 20 bucks u cant really complain

I use the cheapies on lighter watch heads such as the Avenger GMT, Navitimer 8 etc and they feel fine, but on heavier models like the chronomat and seawolf, they just dont conform nicely.