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WatchProSite|Market|Digest

Horological Meandering

Blancpain straps...

 

Hi Jerry,

I too have been ploughing the web for straps. I am simply so intrigued by the level of craftmanship in some of the manufacturers products and the results people obtain in new combos (just the examples posted in reply to this tread are breathtaking I find).

The relatively high prices of these bespoke straps limit my purchases though. However, I do have a waxed croc from ABP which I ordered over their website. Sizing and manufacture of this one is perfect. I am less impressed with the waxed croc though as it seems to go matte rather quickly, but I have a feeling that this may be a common thing with croc (and lizard), that it wears quicker than e.g. ostrich, calf....

I notice that you admire your Blancpain strap. I have a Blancpain ostrich strap (that I use on a Zenith) which is fantastic - even now after 15 years or so (I do not wear it often, but nevertheless...!). I do believe that this strap was made by Jean-Claude Perrin, because the strap is stamped with a "JCP" logo at the pointed end. I also had a buffalo JCP strap that lasted me a good number of years with very frequent wear.

Now, I noticed that at ABP sales/manufacturing dept., they have a Jean-Claude Perrin... hmm I don't know if that is a coincidence, but the JCP and ABP logos are very identical. Maybe someone else can enlighten of this.

Fact remains that I agree with you on Blancpain straps and that I highly reccommend ABP.

Enjoy the hunt and be prepared to always want another and more sophisticated strap... biggrin Do share your choices here please.

Nikolaj

 

ABP Waxed croc




JCP Buffalo




Blancpain ostrich (by JCP I believe) - sorry the pic does not show the strap very well.



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20 Comments view entire thread 

Replacemnt Watch Straps experience & Opinions Please

 
By: Jerryuk : August 30th, 2012-10:50
Dear All, I have been trawling the web looking for good quality genuine Alligator straps and have noted A.B.P and Camille Fournet in Paris and Hirsch. I think a top quality strap makes a watch complete and a lesser one detracts from it. I would like to kn... 

ABP

 
By: Geo : August 30th, 2012-11:02
I had one Stingray strap by ABP made that costed 400 euro, but the holes were very bad and sloppy done, really a pity. Lately ABP recovered my Ermeto clock with new leather and they did an amazing job. I have very good experience with Jean Rousseau in Par...  

Jean Rousseau no more?

 
By: kkwn98 : September 1st, 2012-23:12
I was in Paris yesterday and went to visit Jean Rousseau at 9, rue Duphort after spending some time at Camille Fournet. I was very surprised to see that the store was, in fact, closed and looking like it had ceased trading (the were some fittings, but bas... 

Two good experiences with Camille Fournet

 
By: nilomis : August 30th, 2012-11:53
Ordered two times, the strap was calf and simple but exudes quality. The service was also great. For day-to-day use, I'm hooked on Hirsch, mainly the Duke line. There is a great supplier in U.K. that I use on a regular basis. I'm PM to you the web site. C... 

Just picked up a CF...

 
By: mrsnak : August 30th, 2012-18:57
...though not from them... from a well known US watch company. Simply gorgeous straps. On the lower end of the market, I really like the Hirsch straps. Have a couple Leonardos (the curved ends) as well as a variety of others. Excellent quality. For other ... 

Thanks for the replies

 
By: Jerryuk : September 1st, 2012-09:42
I suspected that CF would be good but It's really had to assess the quality and appearance of straps from web pages. Likewise the ABP site has plenty pics but they dont look like they are worth the extra money. I'm sure they look the business in the flesh... 

A.B.P.

 
By: tim_s : September 2nd, 2012-07:06
I can vouch for ABP. I had ordered off the internet previously but this does not scratch the service. If you get the chance make an appointment in advance by email and head to Paris. I think my favorite strap is the non-stitch gator one i got recently, re...  

Surface...

 
By: tim_s : September 2nd, 2012-12:48
I just re-read my post and I meant to say scratch the surface! The store is a real treasure trove of colours and skin types. They seriously could match any shade of any colour you can think of with something in the drawers. My girlfriend and Sonia played ... 

It depends...

 
By: Noodia : September 2nd, 2012-08:58
All the straps makers you mention have not the same positioning clearly, ABP is unquestionably the most high-end of all. But if you want the highest quality and the most amazing choice of leather worldwide along with stitching colors, custom finishing und...  

Thanks Tim and Andrew

 
By: Noodia : September 2nd, 2012-22:07
ABP made huge effort for some of them, the integrated clasp on the blue one was tricky to make, the result awesome and still very robust 2 years later cheers, L

Great straps Laurent!

 
By: nikolaj : September 10th, 2012-12:39
I must say that your pictures here made up my mind to go to APB during a recent visit to Paris. I ordered a strap for my Amvox1 Ti and I am waiting for the package to arrive. My biggest problem was to choose from all the options. I wanted something a litt... 

Blancpain straps...

 
By: nikolaj : September 2nd, 2012-12:12
Hi Jerry, I too have been ploughing the web for straps. I am simply so intrigued by the level of craftmanship in some of the manufacturers products and the results people obtain in new combos (just the examples posted in reply to this tread are breathtaki...  

Simple answer...

 
By: kkwn98 : September 2nd, 2012-13:32
... to your question: "Now, I noticed that at ABP sales/manufacturing dept., they have a Jean-Claude Perrin... hmm I don't know if that is a coincidence, but the JCP and ABP logos are very identical. Maybe someone else can enlighten of this." Jean-Claude ... 

Correct !

 
By: Noodia : September 2nd, 2012-22:14
Now ABP is managed by Jean-Claude's son, Yann, but if you see a smiling man in its 60s, you're facing Jean-Claude who still works in the boutique, he still manages to make himself the most technical projects

Depends on what you are after ...

 
By: AndrewD : September 2nd, 2012-17:20
I have used ABP and love the options of animal, finish, colour, stitching. I prefer them for exotic straps. Hand stitching has been better finished to my eyes than their machine finished straps. Construction and wear is excellent. If you are ordering inte... 

It also depends on your objective...

 
By: Ginger : September 3rd, 2012-06:33
For a perfect marriage of strap and watch, especially a very special, rare, or high end watch, the above recommendations are spot on. However, it is possible to get very good results at a much less aggressive price point. For example, I had to purchase a ...