Strap ends too thick for lugs on my 44mm case.

[Drulee]

I had a custom strap made by a member of RG; as the site is down, I've been unable to contact him yet. The thing is, the ends of the strap (that attach to the lugs) are too thick and the strap won't fit onto the case.

What is the best way to reduce the thickness of the ends, without destroying the strap?

Thanks

 

[fakemaster]

Sounds like you got the wrong size strap. Instead of trying to sand it down or something just exchange it.

 

[houndoggie]

The strap will need to be disassembled in order to thin out the leather between the lug bar hole and the case. Or you can sand down the thickness on the outside, but that'll look bunk. When RG arises from the ashes, just PM the maker, I'm sure they will accomadate you.

 

[Drulee]

The strap will need to be disassembled in order to thin out the leather between the lug bar hole and the case. Or you can sand down the thickness on the outside, but that'll look bunk. When RG arises from the ashes, just PM the maker, I'm sure they will accomadate you.

Yeah, just had a couple of hours to kill, so I thought I may as well see if there was a quick fix.

fakemaster, it was the right width/size, just not finished properly.

 

[pedecter]

Same thing happened to me on a PAM 240. The strap was about .2mm to think and the case gouged into the leather, which had a smooth finish on it. Ruined the strap. I sent pics of the strap and asked for one to be modded to fit the PAM. I got a 100% refund instead. Bought a Panatime strap instead. Not as think as other custom-mades but it fits.

 

[dvburns]

You can also take a round jeweler's file and remove enough material inside the end of each piece to fit the watch.

 

[d4m.test]

It is not always a case of not being finished properly when it comes to these custom straps. Most are intentionally made fractions of a mm to thick so that there is no gap. I just picked up a Ted Su strap in 24mm and it needed a very little bit of massaging to get it to fit. Instead of sanding it, I braced it between two pieces of wood in a clamp and very gently tapped it with a jewelers hammer on each side. It narrowed the strap long enough for me to get it properly installed.

 

[doctorron]

I frequently get straps that are 2mm to0 wide because I like the look. I use a toenail clipper and carefully clip over and over again until its just righ.

 

[donerix]

Does the strap have inserted tubes?
Often just removing the tubes (with a right size phillips screwdriver or allen wrench) helps.

 

[Drulee]

Does the strap have inserted tubes?
Often just removing the tubes (with a right size phillips screwdriver or allen wrench) helps.

No, I thought of that. I will try pounding it with small hammer - after inserting one of those plastic rods, to hold the shape. If that doesn't work, I'll try (in order of destructiveness :shock: ) the small round file inside the hole, and finally the clipper.

Thanks for all the suggestions and, if you own PAMs, don't forget to post your case height dimensions (use calipers) on this thread: http://forum.replica-watch.info/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=55393