Difference between 2 Wotancraft 74 straps

[Therion666]

So I decided to go for a 74 strap for my 372, that Picture in the 2010 Panerai catalogue is eating me alive
Anyway, I've compared 74s by different makers and people on forums tend to like the Wotancraft the most. But today I discovered that they have 2 different versions:

http://www.wotancraft.com/product.php?pid=29&lan=_en

http://www.wotancraft.com/product.php?pid=40&lan=_en

Is there a reason why the first one costs 90$ more? And I also noticed that the number 74 looks different than the real deal.

I also considered Gunny and Malio, but I'm kinda drawn to Wotancraft, dunno why - should I reconsider?

I'd like a strap that would match the lume color well and that's not to stiff, it has to be pliable, otherwise I have too much trouble putting it on my wrist.
I wouldn't bother so much, but this is my first expensive ( for me ) strap purchase and I'd like to get it right
Any input is very welcome!

 

[Luke Warm]

Just a word of caution -

I received 2 Wotancraft straps in the mail yesterday - an X-MAS 001 and an X-MAS 028 and I'm hugely disappointed with both.

Neither strap looks anything like the photos on their website and they are both quite stiff. Colours are WAY off so don't place any reliance on their photos.

On the other hand, I have a Gunny 74 which is pretty true to his website photos and is buttery soft.

I'm waiting on a couple of Malios and hoping for a better result.

 

[Luke Warm]

Just collected 2 Malio 'Crostino' straps from the post office. Same deal as the Wotancraft straps.

Don't buy them believing they'll look like the pictures on the website!!!

 

[jetlau3]

Surprised to hear that.. Looks like I'll be holding off for a bit.

Just a word of caution -

I received 2 Wotancraft straps in the mail yesterday - an X-MAS 001 and an X-MAS 028 and I'm hugely disappointed with both.

Neither strap looks anything like the photos on their website and they are both quite stiff. Colours are WAY off so don't place any reliance on their photos.

On the other hand, I have a Gunny 74 which is pretty true to his website photos and is buttery soft.

I'm waiting on a couple of Malios and hoping for a better result.

 

[Therion666]

This is exactly what I'm worried about. The same thing happened to me the last time I ordered a custom made strap. Color off by a mile ( different screens,I can understand that ),plus the strap was extremely stiff and I had trouble getting it on and especially off my wrist. But for this kind of money it needs to be just right. I'm also considering Corrigia,but they're even more expensive and there's not so much feedback online to make an opinion. Gunny seems to be the way to go..

 

[Virpag]

The wotancraft 74 original series is the best one to get and closest to gen since they used it to model there's from a well known Pam collector overall it will be very close to photos you need to soften it with leather softener and it's amazing yes the price tag is a bit high but it's much better than the cheaper one IMO


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[ShadyManc]

Wotancraft straps are very good, you're never going to get the exact same colours as per the website and they will be a little stiff, but 2-3 days of wearing and it will have softened up. If you want stiff then get an OEM alligator from Panerai, those feckers are stiffer than Jimmy Hoffa.

 

[Polebear]

My Wotancraft straps are the best i have. Gunny comes close. The straps are very soft and keep their colors. Love them!

 

[gazwatch]

I would recommend Bakeka handmade. Alfio will send you QC pics of your actual strap and you pay when you are happy. His prices are great too. http://www.bakeka-handmade.com/Straps.html

 

[Luke Warm]

Agreed that Wotancraft straps are well made, it's just that the 2 I received are unrecognisable when compared with their web photos.

The Malio straps look and feel like cheap $10 rep straps.

 

[Fat And Furious]

This is exactly what I'm worried about. The same thing happened to me the last time I ordered a custom made strap. Color off by a mile ( different screens,I can understand that ),plus the strap was extremely stiff and I had trouble getting it on and especially off my wrist. But for this kind of money it needs to be just right. I'm also considering Corrigia,but they're even more expensive and there's not so much feedback online to make an opinion. Gunny seems to be the way to go..

No personal experience with the guy just yet but dangerous9 has some of the nicest straps I've seen thus far .... Get some nice leather and have it lined with some kangaroo and you're set

 

[panasol]

And the Project-74 from Kyros is great ,thick and soft.
www.kyros-straps.com/specialstraps

 

[Therion666]

[MENTION=36345]panasol[/MENTION]: do you have any personal experience with Kyros? It seems very well made,but I've never heard of them TBH.
I received an email from Wotancraft and they claim their straps are very soft. And that the expensive 74 is the way to go..But that's just to pricy for me,I won't cross the 200$ line.
I guess the final choice will be between Gunny,cheap Wotancraft or Kyros.

 

[Pamwatcher]

^^^+1 never read about Kyros before, and he seems to specialize in straps for Panerai! Anyone has experience with this strap maker?

 

[panasol]

@panasol: do you have any personal experience with Kyros? It seems very well made,but I've never heard of them TBH.
I received an email from Wotancraft and they claim their straps are very soft. And that the expensive 74 is the way to go..But that's just to pricy for me,I won't cross the 200$ line.
I guess the final choice will be between Gunny,cheap Wotancraft or Kyros.

^^^+1 never read about Kyros before, and he seems to specialize in straps for Panerai! Anyone has experience with this strap maker?

Yes i have bought from Kyros and i will buy again. I found him on instagram when i saw one pic from his strap that he made for 7th French Paneristi event. i am very satisfied. His work is Top with very nice leathers. Especially his 74 is really 1:1 with gen.If you want my opinion order it with handmade buckle , because he has amazing handmade buckles which make the difference.

 

[Therion666]

Your opinion is highly appreciated,thank you! Is there a specific characteristic of the strap that makes is it superior to Gunny? Is it more gen like in any aspect?

 

[panasol]

Your opinion is highly appreciated,thank you! Is there a specific characteristic of the strap that makes is it superior to Gunny? Is it more gen like in any aspect?

And Gunny is nice but my opinion is that Kyros 74 is much better. Kyros leather is exact as the gen, very closely. He pays attention very much to details (multilayer-3fold, vintage edges, stitching, faded ''74'' etc) and when you touch it you understand the vintage feel and work that it has. The methods that he uses are exact as the gen. Additionally the handmade buckles from Kyros are exactly 1:1 with gen vintage panerai. Kyros pays attention very much to details you will not be disappointed.

 

[slaughterer62]

I bought about 5 straps from Wotancraft. Most of them were different looking than the website photos. The Wotancraft 74 strap was actually the best. As far as value, I do not know. I prefer the 3-fold technique and Wotancraft charges a premium for that. Plus they do not offer the larger sizes I want. In any case, my interest and purchasing power has shifted away from Wotancraft towards MaysBerlin, Corrigia, Kostas, Simona, Kevin, etc. which are all more or less more expensive. Plus the can opener/ key chain Wotancraft sent me as a gift deformed into uselessness after opening 6 bottles of Ballast Point Sculpin, LOL. That really hurt.

 

[panasol]

Opener/ key chain Wotancraft gift???
All these years i bought straps from all good strapmakers that you said, but nobody gave me opener/key chain!:laugh:

 

[Joesoap73]

CORRIGIA 74 received recently & extremely happy with the quality !!!