Strap change...

This is something I have not done for sometime, in fact something I may not be doing for the foreseeable future. Well not since I no longer play with Panerai watches. :(

Anyway changing strap for a friend who has lost some weight and need to swap strap because the current strap, is loose as the gaps between adjustment holes are too big. So it is either too loose or too tight. 

The watch with the Gunny 74 strap. It is an awesome strap and ages very well. 

The underside of the strap. Indeed a well made strap. 

The Gunny signature, disappearing. 

Not sure what this is, but could be an internal coding of some sort. 

The 'new' strap. Notice the gaps between the holes are closer. 

Also a very well made strap. The strap ages very well. 

It is the Heroic18 strap. I like the strap. 

The buckle is also signed. Nice touch.

The strap is not new. :)

You will need to get the correct size screwdriver to remove and install the screws. Make sure the width of the blade is not too narrow or wide.

Closer view of the blade. 

The screws removed. 

Don't forget to remove the tubes as well. And don't forget to transfer the tubes to the new straps. 

The watch after it has been cleaned. 

Screws and tubes ready for the new strap. 

The owner have a lots of straps to choose from. Yes, these use to be mine. 

The tubes going into the new strap.

Tighten the screws and you are done. Make sure you don't cross thread or strip the screws. Take your rime when doing this.

All done and the owner is happy. 

Heroic18

One of the straps arrived. It is this one.

It is a strap from Heroic18. It is made of Italian leather. 

I like it for various reasons.

This is the main reason. The sub buckle.

Well made and finished buckle.

Thick Italian cocoa strap (4 mm) with copper stitching. 

Signed tip.

The sub buckle. Since it has a sub buckle, the only watch it can be fitted on is....

Yes, this one, the PAM00390. Why? Because it has the 'pig' on the case back. The before photograph, fitted with a Wotancraft.

Now with the new strap. I think it matches the watch well.

A wrist shot.

However this may be short lived as I have the following strap on order and I think it will be a better fit. Which strap? No, not the Ted Su but the Museum Exhibit Special Edition (10 pieces?) from Steve and Simona. From what I understand, these are 'extra' from the straps commissioned by the Italian Naval Museum to replace the old straps of their Panerai exhibit.

More straps....

Starting out the new year with more straps. I have these straps in-coming. Can't wait to get them.

From Heroic18, the Italian Aged Cocoa with copper stitching with Submarine IV buckle. I think this one will go well with the PAM00390 as it (PAM00390) has the 'submariner' on the case back.

The buckle.

Photographs: Heroic18

The other strap I have in-coming is from Ted Su. It is the popular dive strap and with the large buckle. This one will go on to the PAM00243I. A 'butch' strap for a 'butch' watch. 

Photograph: Ted Su

I will report more when these straps arrive.

Heroic18

Got this strap recently. Have to say that I really like the strap. It is from Heroic18. They operate out of Hong Kong. The strap is made from Crazy Horse leather and is from their Double X collection. A review on the strap is coming, but some photographs.

It comes in a nice pouch. Not too sure if it is leather. 

The strap is double wrapped. 

Something you don't see very often, strap info.

The strap. It is thick yet soft. Comes with two floating strap keepers. 

The watch it is mounted on, the Arktos.

I have to stop....

Yet another strap on the way. I was tracking the other straps and were suppose to receive them today. Wishful thinking. 

Anyway, I placed an order for a Heroic18 Crazy Horse Leather with ecru X-style stitching. I think it looks interesting as I do not have any straps that has this look or for that matter made from Crazy Horse leather. 

So what is a Crazy Horse Leather? Well, this is what I found out. Crazy horse leather is a type of pull up leather. Oil is applied to the leather under very high temperature and pressure to create the 'rugged' finish the leather is known for. It is an easy maintenance leather with the following properties: moisture absorption at about 40%, is water resistant for about 2 hours and is suitable for industrial use. 

The strap? Here is a photograph. 

Photograph: Heroic18

For more information:

Heroic18