Gen leather/Alligator Straps: IWC OEM vs Santoni vs Others

[mauricio612]

I want to upgrade my rep Portuguese 3714 as soon as it comes with a very nice leather strap.

I know it's worth spending more for a good quality leather strap, but how much more?

Those rep leather straps that come from the TD's, let's say it Frankly, they really suck and are a huge giveaway that you are wearing a rep.

I won't blame TD's or Rep Makers for that. For the price I pay, getting a nice automatic replica with so many great details is enough.

Now when it comes to finding the right strap, there are a lot of options, maybe too many. If I want a very high-end strap, something that will last, I figured I am down to a few options only, but if you know more I am all ears...

I don't mind going to the IWC store and paying 280€ for the IWC OEM strap that goes with the Portuguese if it's worth every penny. I don't know how good these are, I mean is it good value for the money?

I might even spend the 390€ they ask for the Santoni if it is actually better than the OEM. It's more expensive than the rep itself, but if it looks stunning and lasts a few years, I'm fine with that.



My third option is this strap from Camille Fournet, 220€, and it looks absolutely amazing...

http://www.camillefournet.com/fr/bracelet-cuir-en-alligator-mat-ecailles-carrees-marine


Any help from people who have experienced top grade leather straps?


I have heard of Vietnamese Strap Makers but it seems to be long and tedious to get something nice done and delivered.

 

[yamahatwin]

Hi,
I have a gen IWC 3714 that came with a iwc OEM black croc.
Since it has few year, I decided to get a new one and shop at Camille fournet. I went for a special order and choose the inside color, stitching and of course the color. Price was 220+50 because I did "sur mesure". The result is literally blowing my old. IWC gen strap....! I went to iwc OEM store to look at brand 'em iwc strap and was amazed by. The quality of Camille fournet.
If you have the money, you like every small details, it definitely worth it.
I disagree when you can read that for 50 or 100 usd you could compare with this quality. If you consider your rep as a 300 usd watch, let go for cheap, but if you consider its a 5000 usd watch, don't nitpick for the strap and go for the best!

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[besnik]

Dangerous9straps makes some nice custom straps might a good place to start and see what you can make to your liking

Sent from the RWI mobile app

 

[Decalogo]

Would you consider Kaufman? If I'm not mistaken, they used to supply IWC with straps before Santoni.

Other suggestion could be jacobstraps

Sent from the RWI mobile app

 

[mauricio612]

Thanks guys.

I did have a look at the options mentioned above but I ended up ordering the Camille Fournet Blue Croco anyways.

I'll give it a try. Since it's an online order I can return it within 14 days of delivery date if I am not happy with it.

I'll make a quick review here as soon as I receive it.

The problems with those small strap makers is that they have very basic website with very little info, no store or purchasing links, few pictures/wristshots so it is hard to give it a shot without gambling too much

 

[WatchestoPlay]

Thanks guys.

I did have a look at the options mentioned above but I ended up ordering the Camille Fournet Blue Croco anyways.

I'll give it a try. Since it's an online order I can return it within 14 days of delivery date if I am not happy with it.

I'll make a quick review here as soon as I receive it.

The problems with those small strap makers is that they have very basic website with very little info, no store or purchasing links, few pictures/wristshots so it is hard to give it a shot without gambling too much

How did that strap work out? Was it worth the $200+ over the rep strap?
I have a 3714 white dial blue hands coming next week and I'm trying to decide on a strap.

 

[mauricio612]

You are right mate, it's about time I updated this thread.

Ok so I got my 2 IWC last month: IW3714 blue hands on this rep strap:

I expected the rep strap to be real crap but it's not. It looks very good and does not feel too cheap compared to other IWC rep straps I have seen.

That one is mediocre and feels really cheap.


Therefore I bought 2 high end straps:

1/ Blue alligator strap, hand-made, from Camille Fournet: 220 euros

2/ IWC OEM brown croco from IWC store, 290 euros:

I am more than pleased with both.

They both look and feel amazing. Difference is very noticeable even for noobs.

The dark blue leather is perfect to match with the blue markers of the 3714 and I am sure the brow OEM would also be stunning on this portuguese.

Until then I will wear the brown on the portofino, again it's a fantastic match with the white dial and especially with the gold hands and markers.

I have to admit I have become an IWC fan since I got those 2 watches.

My conclusion is that those high end straps are 100% worth the investment. Having such great reps on those beautiful leather straps will make your watch 3 times more gen-like.

With some models the only tell is the strap. Problem solved with those quality leather bands

I'd rather have 1 rep on such a nice straps than 2 reps with factory straps on them.

 

[mauricio612]

 

[mauricio612]

 

[mauricio612]

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[mauricio612]

 

[mauricio612]

 

[SuperLory]

That brown oem looks gorgeous my friend!

sent, me thinks

 

[WatchestoPlay]

Thank you for the update and all the pics! Both watches and straps look awesome

 

[thermalboyz]

Following sort is my preferred order (depends on funds availability)

1) Santoni - Expensive (Hard to find for sale unless you order it from AD)
2) OEM - Little expensive (can get second hand)
3) Kaufman / Camille (Not owned one yet) - Kaufman quality is same as OEM, no experince on Camille but they have variety of hide.
4) Custom maker Jacobs/Peter/Orloff - reputable strap maker, affordable price.

if on 3714, i don't think the Gen come with santoni on this model so your choice can start from OEM. Good luck and looking forward for your wristy post

 

[mauricio612]

I thought og buying the Santoni instead of the OEM IWC but it was even more expensive and the IWC one looked good enough.

Maybe on my next IWC

 

[yamahatwin]

Thanks for all these pictures! I admit that I am a big fan of Camille fournet that I prefer than my OEM iwc. I would love to get a Santoni for my 3417 but as far as I know, Santoni does not provide 20mm strap? Only 22 mm. Not?

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[NewFan0803]

beautiful combos - may i ask which version of the portofino is that ? I dont think i have seen the rose gold hands/steel case combo on any TDs ?

 

[mauricio612]

beautiful combos - may i ask which version of the portofino is that ? I dont think i have seen the rose gold hands/steel case combo on any TDs ?

Type ''portofino rg markers'' in the puretime search bar and you ll find it.

 

[NewFan0803]

cool, thanks !