What strap do I order my Safari with?

[__iceman__]

Just about to pull the trigger with RM on the Safari. I trust Lay will have the latest and greatest rite in terms of versions rite?

I know I will ultimately change the strap to HKTan. Already contacted Aaron.

Now... what strap do I order my Safari with? The rep hornback is crap right? Should I change it to a rubber or steel bracelet?

The question is... if I order with rubber, will the parts still fit the HKtan strap? Like the deployant clasp etc.

And if I order the steel bracelet... of course I don't get the hornback clasp anymore... can I just order that extra? What do you guys do when you buy a AP ROO with intention of aftermarket hornbacks?

2nd question is... is it true that the factories already recognised the secs @ 12 issue and its fixed with the recent batches or do I still need to service the watch once I buy it? Seems that other issues like cream dial, date surround colour etc has been fixed.

Thanks in advance... I hope to post pics when I get it!

 

[QinetiQ]

Just about to pull the trigger with RM on the Safari. I trust Lay will have the latest and greatest rite in terms of versions rite?

I know I will ultimately change the strap to HKTan. Already contacted Aaron.

Now... what strap do I order my Safari with? The rep hornback is crap right? Should I change it to a rubber or steel bracelet?

The question is... if I order with rubber, will the parts still fit the HKtan strap? Like the deployant clasp etc.

And if I order the steel bracelet... of course I don't get the hornback clasp anymore... can I just order that extra? What do you guys do when you buy a AP ROO with intention of aftermarket hornbacks?

2nd question is... is it true that the factories already recognised the secs @ 12 issue and its fixed with the recent batches or do I still need to service the watch once I buy it? Seems that other issues like cream dial, date surround colour etc has been fixed.

Thanks in advance... I hope to post pics when I get it!

1. Steel bracelets look awesome on AP ROO but as you said, you won't get the deployant clasp. If I were you I'd get it with the steel bracelet then pay an extra 80 bucks or so for the rubber strap. That way you'll get the deployant and you can exchange it between the HKTan strap and the rubber one whenever you feel like it and at the end of the day, you'll have 3 straps for the watch. As for the clasp fitting the aftermarket strap I believe it does. I mean if the measurements are correct, I don't see why not.

2. Don't trust non of that crap. That's what the factories say to sell more watches. They said the same thing about the IWC Portuguese but it still has the same issues. Just get the watch and send it for a service right away. That way you'll save yourself some major headaches further down the road

 

[__iceman__]

This forum is amazing and i have not regrets donating to the cause!

Hokay, maybe I order with the rubber strap. Then buy a black themes with the metal strap! Hahahah

By the way, the do dealers charge extra if you order the watch with the metal strap or do they charge the same?

 

[QinetiQ]

This forum is amazing and i have not regrets donating to the cause!

Hokay, maybe I order with the rubber strap. Then buy a black themes with the metal strap! Hahahah

By the way, the do dealers charge extra if you order the watch with the metal strap or do they charge the same?

I think they charge a bit extra bit it's something like $20 or something

P.S. If you find my posts helpful please add some rep points

 

[__iceman__]

Added

Another question on straps - how do I change the strap myself? Is it relatively easy with common jeweller's screwdrive set or do I have to get something special? I see that APBands sell a kit... not sure if that is required?

Hoping to post all the strappy questions in 1 thread so it helps other newbies in future too

 

[jiddy]

For swapping the straps on an AP ROO you need a soft thing to put the face on and two screwdrivers, preferably in the same size so you wont damage the screw bar.

Also recommend taping the case around the sides so you wont scratch the case sides if you slip... It would be a tragedy and pretty easy to do since you got to both hold the watch down AND use two screwdrivers at the same time

...Unless you got something to hold the case with.

And as the others stated get it with steel bracelet and get the rubberstrap for the deployant, just make a note to Lay that you NEED the conversion metal pieces for straps to be INCLUDED at shipping since the factories all of a sudden decided NOT to ship em with their straps if you order a strap on the side, that´s at least what Lay told me after reciving my rubberstrap only to find out that the metal pieces to attach the strap to the case wasn´t included... sigh...

So still waiting on my one´s to arrive, so make sure you ask for them to be included

Great choice of watch, post pic´s when you get it!

/Jiddy

 

[OSX]

that's plenty of good advice. Get the safari with rubber and SS and a gen strap. These HKTan hornstrap look amazing i must confess.

 

[QinetiQ]

That's brown hornback is crazy! You MUST get that one iceman

 

[jiddy]

@OSX

Looks like the black strap "missing" some colour around the "horn" base and the strap sling, is that so or just some weird photo issue?

Other then that they look amazing
Thinking of getting a black myself soon...

 

[OSX]

@ Jiddy

not sure mate, I took the picture from HKTan own album

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v602/HKTAN/?start=allfirst time posting pictures, sorry for the text I copied. It was a bit dirty :s

... and this is how you change straps. As Jiddy said, it's worth using tape for extra protection.

http://timetapestry.blogspot.com/2008/09/finally-changing-shoesstraps-on-your.html

 

[guru]

1) Get the watch with the bracelet, it is always great to have it. I was able to get the conversation kid for the leather strap from my dealer, it was less then 10 USD.
I got 4 pairs and I always buy the straps from APbands, best shop around.. They have a brown hornback which will fit and looks great. I bought over 4 straps from that place. You also need to get the buckle from APbands. The rep buckle is not comfy after some time.
2) they movement fab added a jewel to the @12 sec movementin March, since this time there are no problems with the rep movement, just make sure to get the new movement.

Now regarding the rep points, I turned them off, they are for ......so this answer is for free and you can believe me or not, but I think I am one of the AP experts in this forum

 

[QinetiQ]

1) Get the watch with the bracelet, it is always great to have it. I was able to get the conversation kid for the leather strap from my dealer, it was less then 10 USD.
I got 4 pairs and I always buy the straps from APbands, best shop around.. They have a brown hornback which will fit and looks great. I bought over 4 straps from that place. You also need to get the buckle from APbands. The rep buckle is not comfy after some time.
2) they movement fab added a jewel to the @12 sec movementin March, since this time there are no problems with the rep movement, just make sure to get the new movement.

Now regarding the rep points, I turned them off, they are for ......so this answer is for free and you can believe me or not, but I think I am one of the AP experts in this forum

There was a member who posted a QC video of his AP ROO a few days ago and the seconds hand was jerky as hell. That's not really a "no problem" movement

 

[guru]

There was a member who posted a QC video of his AP ROO a few days ago and the seconds hand was jerky as hell. That's not really a "no problem" movement

I saw it and it looked to me like an old movement. I got 4 AP's with the new movement and they are running fine. Also Domi confirmed that the new movement does not have the old problems.

 

[QinetiQ]

I saw it and it looked to me like an old movement. I got 4 AP's with the new movement and they are running fine. Also Domi confirmed that the new movement does not have the old problems.

Fair enough but how would someone know if he's getting the new or the old movement? There were old movements that had no jerky seconds hand at first but then got worse later on...

 

[__iceman__]

I've had the fortune to handle a gen safari. And analyze the strap in detail. The strap indeed is what makes the watch! The colour is really what makes it unique.

The pic posted earlier is a bit too reddish, "cherry brown" in colour. IMHO, it needs to be a bit darker, antique brown.

OSX, thanks for the link - that was extremely valuable! Its great in the sense that it shows how the screws work, so we have a good idea what we're trying to do! Hahah.

 

[__iceman__]

1) Get the watch with the bracelet, it is always great to have it. I was able to get the conversation kid for the leather strap from my dealer, it was less then 10 USD.
I got 4 pairs and I always buy the straps from APbands, best shop around.. They have a brown hornback which will fit and looks great. I bought over 4 straps from that place. You also need to get the buckle from APbands. The rep buckle is not comfy after some time.
2) they movement fab added a jewel to the @12 sec movementin March, since this time there are no problems with the rep movement, just make sure to get the new movement.

Now regarding the rep points, I turned them off, they are for ......so this answer is for free and you can believe me or not, but I think I am one of the AP experts in this forum

Is there anyway to tell its the "new movement"? I'm pretty hooked on AP ROOs, but its just that additional overhead in fixing that issue.

I'm thinking of the following for a collection... Safari/proper hornback, Black Themes/steel bracelet, RB II / blue strap. Oooh. From what I gather over the past weeks of research, these are pretty accurate and recommended save for the RBII's non see thru dial.

Did you order a box for any of your APs? Is the box worth it @ $98? I did not see anyone doing a review of the boxes. Hahah. The thing about these is that... any tiny flaws immediately rob the thing of any feel good factor, especially boxes with uneven lining, print errors, and not to mention lots of printed material that goes with it.

And yes you do sound like you know what you're talking about!

 

[Yannou]

I have some APs too and I can confirm what Guru said about the new movements...

 

[Francyz]

Roo are meant to be on rubber straps, i would grey or blue