Anyone have an AliExpress or DHGate vendor for quality Panerai 22mm or 24mm steel buckles?

[marcsp2675]

Nice deal $$
Cheap rubber straps, good quality and color.
Cheap "fat" buckles , not as per GEN

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007161928242.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.79cb1802qJwK7v

I’m not sure if I’m more excited about the content of this post or John’s profile picture.

 

[aHero]

@johnlogan For rubber straps try and get the ones marked FKM. They are really good quality in my opinion. Here is an example:
Just found this amazing item on AliExpress. Check it out! C$43.16 | Quality Fluororubber Soft FKM Rubber Watch Band For Panerai Strap Accessories For PAM111/441 Watchbands 22mm 24mm With Pin Clasp

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mrgvO0M

Nice deal $$
Cheap rubber straps, good quality and color.
Cheap "fat" buckles , not as per GEN

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007161928242.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.79cb1802qJwK7v

$1 vs $24 (with buckle). Is the other one worth $23 more lol

 

[patnaboy]

@aHero one is made from silicone rubber which is very poor quality and the other is fkm which is gen like. Buy whatever you like.

 

[aHero]

@aHero one is made from silicone rubber which is very poor quality and the other is fkm which is gen like. Buy whatever you like.

What’s fkm

 

[marcsp2675]

@johnlogan For rubber straps try and get the ones marked FKM. They are really good quality in my opinion. Here is an example:
Just found this amazing item on AliExpress. Check it out! C$43.16 | Quality Fluororubber Soft FKM Rubber Watch Band For Panerai Strap Accessories For PAM111/441 Watchbands 22mm 24mm With Pin Clasp

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mrgvO0M

So, "PM Mark" has the Officine Panerai written on it and "No Mark" is just plain, right?

 

[Karbon74]

What’s fkm

That’s fluo rubber
Modern material softer and more resistant than rubber

Great strap material

 

[Lagunax]

FKM is great, picks up less dust than silicone, but not a good as vulcanized rubber.

 

[marcsp2675]

I just ordered an FKM strap and some of the polished/frosted buckles noted here. I will post pics when they arrive.

 

[jj69]

I cannot speak to their FKM Panerai straps, but I've ordered many of Breitling FKM straps from "Shop1103308561 Store" on Ali (as recommended and linked above) and they're superb quality. Trust me, you want FKM for a rubber strap. Soft, pliable, comfortable, no dust, no cracking. In fact, many people prefer the FKM rep Breitling straps over even the gen Breitling straps. They're THAT good.

 

[jj69]

I just received my blue FKM rubber strap from "Shop1103308561 Store." Disappointed. The "OFFICINE PANERAI" lettering on the strap is actually filled in with black color. I'm not aware of any gen strap with the lettering filled in like this! It's a shame, because the strap is clearly high quality FKM. It would be perfect otherwise. I suppose a black one would be fine, but I would be skeptical of other colors without first seeing a photo.

 

[aHero]

Try acetone to remove it.

 

[marcsp2675]

I just got my black one and I'm pretty happy with it.

I just received my blue FKM rubber strap from "Shop1103308561 Store." Disappointed. The "OFFICINE PANERAI" lettering on the strap is actually filled in with black color. I'm not aware of any gen strap with the lettering filled in like this! It's a shame, because the strap is clearly high quality FKM. It would be perfect otherwise. I suppose a black one would be fine, but I would be skeptical of other colors without first seeing a photo.

sorry to hear that man. I just got my FKM in black and I’m pretty happy. I’ve never held a panerai gen but, I have a gen for planet ocean and it seems comparable in quality.

 

[marcsp2675]

I also got the buckles mentioned here. Not as impresssed. They look good, but the don’t is way to big. I’d never put it on a gen strap.

I got three in brushed and three in polished:

 

[jj69]

Try acetone to remove it.

Just tried. Doesn't seem to do anything. It seems like the black color is burned or branded into the rubber. It's apparently a returnable item. Assuming the return is approved, I'll send it back and just get a black one.

Unless someone knows another good source for FKM Pam straps?

 

[aHero]

Just tried. Doesn't seem to do anything. It seems like the black color is burned or branded into the rubber. It's apparently a returnable item. Assuming the return is approved, I'll send it back and just get a black one.

Unless someone knows another good source for FKM Pam straps?

They will likely refund you without needing to return

 

[Karbon74]

They will likely refund you without needing to return

Not likely
My experience is that AliX does not refund overtly branded items

Expect if the item sales conditions had « Free return »

 

[jj69]

Not likely
My experience is that AliX does not refund overtly branded items

Expect if the item sales conditions had « Free return »

This one is labeled free return. In my experience, however, they no longer do the no need to return thing. They have you send to a US address (in NJ if I recall).

 

[jj69]

So, this morning the seller sent me a note saying he will have corrected straps in stock in a few days. He asked me to cancel my return request and he'll ship me a replacement. Hoping it works out. i