Why so much love for OEM straps on REP watches?

[Mojua]

I honestly don't mean this to come across as snarky, and maybe it's been discussed before, but why do so many of the TDs sell watches with rep OEM straps, and why do so many Rep owners buy OEM straps?

I've owned entry level Gen PAMs for a decade, and my feeling has always been that the 'Ristis and other PAM heads only wear after market straps, and never OEMs. In fact, my 112 came with brown calf, black calf, and rubber, and I don't think I've worn any of them more than once or twice. All of the straps I use are from GSD and Simona...

Whenever I see someone wearing a PAM on an OEM strap, I automatically assume they don't know anything about PAMs/watches (like his wife just bought it for him as a present), or he's wearing a REP and trying to pass it off as a GEN by wearing an OEM strap...

I guess instead of investing in rep OEM straps, I'd rather see the TDs spend the money on better quality after market straps. Similarly, OEM straps are super expensive, and there are (in my opinion) better quality, less expensive, after market straps from great artisans all over the world.

Thoughts?

 

[ZoomBoy]

I've had a bunch of OEM Panerai straps, not because I'm trying to cover up that I have a rep, but because I find a lot of the aftermarket straps ugly and the gen Panerai straps are very high quality, and match the design IMO. I generally have rep rubber on my Panerai watches now, but I still have my 057 on gen black water buffalo and I have a gen velcro strap as well. I even have a gen sailcloth strap and deployant on my Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. I think it elevates the look most of the time.

 

[edubbel]

Actually, when I bought my 104 spanking new I asked my AD to change the OG croco strap for the brown calf one. I wore that oem calf to its death, dident even break in the rubber one. And I beat that poor 104 so much too, wore it everyday, and she worked flawless 2years without any service and then I sold her. Thats really funny since Iam so redicolus careful with my reps it turns my fiancee off
Loved that strap, was so comfortble.

But yeah you got a point, at that time I dident know much bout pams or paneristis.


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[SUMIKITO]

Actually, when you have a super duper TC Sub with all the possible mods done to it, changing over to an OEM bracelet is the icing on the cake !! ......That is when it so scary Gen looking, you pretty much fall back on your couch.............. !!!!

 

[old_man]

I went through countless strap maker websites and finally still ordered the OEM Cashmere Gold for my 127. It has nothing to do with "trying to pass it off as a GEN" - in fact whenever anyone compliment the watch I tell them this is a rep but still means something special to me. There are after market straps of great quality/looks, but IMHO the cashmere gold is the one that fits well with the 127.

I think it really comes down to personal taste. The OEM straps have really nice padding that fits the high profile of the PAMs, and that could look much nicer, especially for those of us with a smaller wrist.

 

[paulvillo]

Fully agreed mate [MENTION=4796]Mojua[/MENTION].
Apart from the JV and coramid straps, aftermarket all the way. Micah, Simona, Landa, Rolko, Eric and ,RWGs Phillyrock controversial exotics to name a few

Bracelet-wise nothing beats gen steel yet, as I haven't personally held the latest Noob Subs and such.

 

[slaughterer62]

Some of the PAM OEM straps are actually very nice: the alacantaras, for instance. But, on the whole, you are right, they are over-priced, and many after-market straps are better value, if not always better quality.