Comments:
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This message has been edited by patrick_y on 2023-03-18 14:54:37
Delugs CTS Rubber - A bloodshed review.
Hi Everyone,
Here is my review of the new Delugs CTS Rubber strap. I do want to preface this with that I bashed this product when I first saw it. Like, I really went after Delugs on social media calling them out on what I *thought* would be a really shitty strap. I ALSO want to mention that when I got wind that Delugs was making a rubber strap, I was really excited. I really like the Barton Silicon Elite straps but they aren't really "luxury" and they feel a little cheap (it's the stays that are the problem) so I was hoping for a better solution and I thought Delugs could deliver. When I saw the photos I thought, boy was I wrong about Delugs delivering...
Now this strap is about $200CAD plus duty, etc. It ain't cheap. The Barton is about $30 on Amazon. Just for reference.
So the CTS I got is a 22mm navy blue strap and I am going to put it on my SLGA007:
(What a handsome bugger, 'eh?)
So the strap arrived today and I'm all ready to go!
That's right. My tape holder IS badass.
Now a few things: 1) I forgot scissors. 2) The SLGA007 has lug holes so tape wasn't needed... What an amateur.
Oh, someone needs help alright...
As everyone knows, they give you THREE straps because, surly, you'll mess this up and there is no undo button. Or maybe not, more on this later. I was lucky, I didn't mess it up but cutting a strap to make it fit is a stupid, lazy design. When I pointed this out to Delugs, their answer was that Patek does this. Who cares? Because it's what Patek does that makes it good? The Ferrari 458 Italia was notorious for catching on fire, but I guess because it's a Ferrari, other brands should also strive to make cars that catch on fire, right? After all, it IS what Ferrari does.
This starts a theme with this strap, and Delugs. I feel like Delugs is run by "new money". That is to say, their view of luxury is based on what expensive brands do. They have no idea how to discern what an actual luxury is versus just what an expensive product. I picture them all sitting around the Delugs office wearing white T-shirts with VERSACE across the chest, an LV belt and Gucci high-tops, saying, "Bro" progressively more slowly to each other. Ich.
The first thing I noticed is that it's heavy.
Versus the Barton:
Remember when you were 13 years old and you heard that you can tell if it's a real Rolex because "it's heavy"? I guess Delugs thinks "heavy" means "quality". Really, "heavy" just means "heavy". The quality feels fine, I guess. It's rubber so, there you go. Not much to report really. It's about what you would expect. Nothing bad, nothing special.
Now I want to talk about this... Thing.
It's the same style clasp some very "high-end" watches use, namely Richard Mille and (sigh) MB&F. I am familiar with this style of clasp so when I saw this, I knew the problems yet to come... A very true, and sad, story: after getting my LM101, and hating the clasp, I reached out to MB&F to ask if they had a suggestion. They knew my problem well, and right away acknowledged it was a very common complaint and suggested I but the loop and pin buckle. Why not switch your supplier, I can't help but think.
But what's bad about it? Well, the popping on and off as in the video's has all the joy of a slap bracelet to start. It feels stupid unless you are a 13 year old girl in 1991. But maybe that's me. Let's talk about this edge here:
It is REALLY sharp. Really, really sharp. On both sides. And it's right up against your wrist. My MB&F has scrapped my skin raw on warm days. Seriously. It's like having a knife blade pressed up against the bottom on your wrist. It's beyond me how this design is still make. Bevel this blood edge you masochistic idiots!
Anyway, I got the bracelet off my watch and was ready for the next step:
Delugs uses quick-release spring bars, which are AWESOME. Until they aren't. In an effort, I assume, to make the strap as heavy as possible, they made it as thick as possible. As such, the little pin you push to use the quick release is well...
Let's call it "inaccessible". 10 points for thoughtlessness, Delugs. But I got it on the watch and after much cutting (me to the strap, for now) I got it about down to size:
Here's the thing with cutting a strap: it's permanent. It's cold out today, being winter, so I know my wrist is a little smaller than it will be in the 30C, 75% humidity weather of the summer. So the strap is too loose. In the summer it will be probably about right, but right now, it's annoying and, frankly uncomfortable because the watch moves around. Which ALSO makes that sharp edge scrape on the inside of my wrist...
It's on there and it looks... Okay. I guess the design is a personal choice but it is really bland:
'So what was I hoping for? I am bashing the strap and clasp, but could I have done better? Frankly, I believe so.
When Apply released the Apple Watch they rethought the strap in the most brilliant way. The silicon strap that Apple makes feels incredible. I'm sure most of you have felt it but THAT'S a luxurious feeling rubber strap. It's solid and dense with nice flexibility and a great textured feel. The way they manage the tail of the strap, without stays, is... Immaculate. Delugs, if you are going to copy someone, copy Apple.
Also, it's $60CAD. What the heck, Delugs?!
Before anyone assumes I have an issue with Delugs, I don't. I actually love their straps (just not this one) and I own many Delugs straps:
I, in fact, really like them, which makes the CTS all the more disappointing.
Now, I know some of you think I am making a mountain out of a molehill here but I've had the strap on my watch for about 2 hours and already it is driving me nuts and I will probably be back to the bracelet before sun-down. The strap is slightly too big (again, because I don't want to over cut as come summer it will be way too tight). I may cut one more section and use the third section for the summer. But that's a terrible solution if you ask me... Strap holes were a perfect solution to a problem that Delugs seems to have re-invented...
Now, I did NOT do this on purpose, but sometimes things work out. After cutting the strap and installing the clasp I went to put the strap on and, you know those wonderful "leaf springs"?
They bite. Badly.
This strap is a total piece of crap. Save your $200. Buy a Barton.
Shame on you Delugs for designing such a half baked, lazy product.
What an interesting review — I admire your persistence (and patience, it seems) — I would never buy a strap that I had to cut to install!
I’ve had the experience of razor-sharp edges in aftermarket buckles/straps…
and it really makes you appreciate the small details that luxury brands usually pay attention to. That is a painful sight to see your wrist like that.☹️
I appreciate your review, but was particularly amused by this part:
“I picture them all sitting around the Delugs office wearing white T-shirts with VERSACE across the chest, an LV belt and Gucci high-tops, saying, "Bro" progressively more slowly to each other. Ich.”🤣
I do have and like Delugs straps as an affordable alternative to OEM usually, but sometimes I spring for the original. Rubber straps I haven’t tried, so thanks for this review.
Disappointing
I love Delugs' regular leather straps so was pretty eager when I first saw this thing. The more I've looked at it the more skeptical I've gotten, and this clinches it. Not for me.
Wow! Good to know!
I bet these Delugs employees don't even use their own strap products - this seems like a huge oversight to me! Thanks for sharing these easily correct-able problems - this is definitely not a well conceived product.
Oh my....they were light rabbits spawning on the Instagram and so many users seems delighted...
I guess this is current day "news" and "marketing", they only let you see what they want you to see.
Thank you for the real review, hope your wound recover soon.
Thanks for the feedback. Here's our response.
Hello everyone, Ken from Delugs here. I was alerted to this thread and thought to create an account here to respond to some of the comments and feedback.
Firstly, thank you for taking the time to pen such a lengthy review. I value all feedback and it's always a chance for us to improve on our products. Second, allow me to provide a more detailed response to each of the feedback. Given the length of the review, I thought it's only appropriate to pen an equally lengthy response.
1. "cutting a strap to make it fit is a stupid, lazy design"
I didn't elaborate more over IG than a simple one-liner reply, but of course there's more to it than just because another brand did it.
If you have a wrist size of >6.5 inch, good for you because most rubber straps will fit just fine. If you have a small wrist size, you'll quickly realise the problems with 90% of the rubber straps on the market - they are sized "universally", but what that really means is that its made extremely long, with >10 strap holes (just look at the Barton strap in the post as an example), just so they technically fit everyone's wrist. But in reality, this is a terrible fit for people with small wrist, and you end up with a strap that has a very long overhang.
Cut to size means that with one single design, we have a strap that definitely fits your wrist, no matter how large or small it is. People with smaller wrist will definitely appreciate this.
Also, CTS means that you don't have any strap excess at all, which makes for a very clean look without any excess strap left to worry about. Wearing and taking off the watch is a very simple (and fun) process without the excess strap.
2. "The first thing I noticed is that it's heavy"
Both sides of the CTS strap is uncut, so yes it would be heavier than the actual weight. Compared to the Barton band, it also has the Deployant Clasp vs the tang buckle, so yes it would be heavier on that count too. Maybe post a photo of the strap + clasp after it is cut down to the right size and compare again with the Barton band, that might be a better comparison.
3. "[The clasp] is REALLY sharp. Really, really sharp...It's like having a knife blade pressed up against the bottom on your wrist"
This is straight up an exaggeration, unless you received a defective product. It is nowhere near that sharp, and we've had many customers who have used the strap without the same issues as this. In fact, yes the edge that touches the wrist is bevelled.
4. "In an effort, I assume, to make the strap as heavy as possible, they made it as thick as possible. Let's call it "inaccessible". 10 points for thoughtlessness, Delugs."
Not too sure what the thickness is referring to, but this is the exact same quick release spring bar that we use on all our leather straps. The fact that you got it on the watch, probably means that it works fine.
If you're referring to the thickness of the rubber strap and not the spring bar, we'll look into whether this is an issue that other customers face too. It is still a very supple strap even with the current thickness, but we'll look into whether the strap thickness can be further reduced without comprising on the overall feel and quality.
5. "Here's the thing with cutting a strap: it's permanent."
Yes, we definitely acknowledge this point, and all customers buy the strap knowing this. We're working on a new clasp with additional holes so there's some additional micro-adjustability to the strap, beyond using the 3rd strap that's supplied.
6. "I guess the design is a personal choice but it is really bland."
Yup, we went with a plain design to start, so that it's most universal. We will be releasing other designs down the road that may better suit different watches.
7. "Delugs, if you are going to copy someone, copy Apple."
The benefit of the CTS style is the lack of any strap excess. There's no overhang, and there's also no excess strap between your wrist and the strap. With the Apple strap, you have to tuck the excess inside the strap, which isn't comfortable.
Also, the Apple design is incredibly non-secure. A solid pull in the right (or wrong) direction, and the watch falls to the ground. Sure, for an Apple Watch that may not be such a problem. But on a luxury watch, we definitely cannot afford that to happen. For this reason, a Deployant Clasp, or even a tang buckle, is way more secure.
Btw, when did "solid and dense" suddenly become a luxurious feeling rubber strap? I thought heavy just meant heavy. Anyway, moving on...
8. "Strap holes were a perfect solution to a problem that Delugs seems to have re-invented..."
Back to s/n 1 and 5, a standard rubber strap with strap holes work if your wrist size is sufficiently large. But ask anyone with a small wrist, and existing rubber straps with strap holes just don't work well.
Yes, it is possible to make shorter rubber straps to fit those with smaller wrists, but there's a reason so few brands have that - it means another mold, another set of straps to make and keep in inventory, and for many brands (us included), that amount of capital tied up in inventory just doesn't work out.
Ultimately, my belief is that CTS is the better solution, especially if you plan to use the strap across watches with a similar lug to lug length. Yes, it would be even better with more adjustability via the clasp, and that's something we're already working on. I do think that the broader industry will move in this direction.'
Now, to all the personal insults and attacks on us and our team, that's truly uncalled for, unprofessional, and unnecessary. We're all adults, so let's stay civil and offer constructive criticism.
To anyone who may have doubts about this product, especially after reading this review, do reach out to other customers that have bough the product and tagged us on our Instagram to ask for their feedback, or check out other reviews on our website. Yes, this isn't a perfect product, but we never said that it is. There are things that we're working on to improve on in the next iteration. But it's definitely not as "half baked" and "lazy" as this review puts out. We're a team of fellow watch enthusiasts, and we definitely put all products through a lot of testing before we release it for public sales.
I don't monitor this forum actively, so feel free to reach out to me on Instagram or email (ken @ delugs . com). Cheers!
kinda weird that so many on here are taking the review as gospel
read like a perezscope article. and everyone applauding what a hero he is
Hi Ken. I appreciate you taking the time to reply but...
I just wish you would take the time listen... You say you appreciate feedback yet you don't acknowledge a single piece of criticism, you just reply with saying how great the strap is. Your strap literally cut one of your customers. How's that for an issue?
My answer are between "-----------------"
1. "cutting a strap to make it fit is a stupid, lazy design"
I didn't elaborate more over IG than a simple one-liner reply, but of course there's more to it than just because another brand did it.
-----------------
I hope so... But I guess we will never know.
-----------------
If you have a wrist size of >6.5 inch, good for you because most rubber straps will fit just fine. If you have a small wrist size, you'll quickly realise the problems with 90% of the rubber straps on the market - they are sized "universally", but what that really means is that its made extremely long, with >10 strap holes (just look at the Barton strap in the post as an example), just so they technically fit everyone's wrist. But in reality, this is a terrible fit for people with small wrist, and you end up with a strap that has a very long overhang.
-----------------
I have a 6.5 inch wrist (about about 6.75 on a hot day) and, yes something like the Barton has excess holes... As do literally all of your leather/skin straps. How come we don't cut those? I'm not sure why it's such a bad problem. But there is a more elegant solution: See my Apple strap example. Cartier, seemed to take note (but I guess you will tell me you know more about luxury than Cartier, now, right?. Like I said in the title of this post, you aren't interested in feedback or listening. You are here to tell us why your product is perfect and do damage control.
-----------------
Cut to size means that with one single design, we have a strap that definitely fits your wrist, no matter how large or small it is. People with smaller wrist will definitely appreciate this.
Also, CTS means that you don't have any strap excess at all, which makes for a very clean look without any excess strap left to worry about. Wearing and taking off the watch is a very simple (and fun) process without the excess strap.
-----------------
You realize that putting it on, it quite literally made me bleed. And that's "fun" in your eyes?
-----------------
2. "The first thing I noticed is that it's heavy"
Both sides of the CTS strap is uncut, so yes it would be heavier than the actual weight. Compared to the Barton band, it also has the Deployant Clasp vs the tang buckle, so yes it would be heavier on that count too. Maybe post a photo of the strap + clasp after it is cut down to the right size and compare again with the Barton band, that might be a better comparison.
-----------------
Even cut, without the clasp, it's still likely heavier. But why are you even upset about this?
-----------------
3. "[The clasp] is REALLY sharp. Really, really sharp...It's like having a knife blade pressed up against the bottom on your wrist"
This is straight up an exaggeration, unless you received a defective product. It is nowhere near that sharp, and we've had many customers who have used the strap without the same issues as this. In fact, yes the edge that touches the wrist is bevelled.
-----------------
I want to point to the photo where your product literally made a customer of yours bleed. But I guess that's an "exaggeration". Are you going to tell me I photoshopped that, now? Gimme a break. It's the same clasp the RM and MB&F use. There's is also equally as excessively sharp. The difference, is those brands have the humility and confidence to acknowledge this.
-----------------
4. "In an effort, I assume, to make the strap as heavy as possible, they made it as thick as possible. Let's call it "inaccessible". 10 points for thoughtlessness, Delugs."
Not too sure what the thickness is referring to, but this is the exact same quick release spring bar that we use on all our leather straps. The fact that you got it on the watch, probably means that it works fine.
If you're referring to the thickness of the rubber strap and not the spring bar, we'll look into whether this is an issue that other customers face too. It is still a very supple strap even with the current thickness, but we'll look into whether the strap thickness can be further reduced without comprising on the overall feel and quality.
-----------------
In the photo you can clearly see that the little tab you push to make the spring bar shorter (to fit between the watch lugs) is no accessible. Yes, I could get it on, eventually, but what a pain. It was easier to use a spring bar tool than the tab.
-----------------
5. "Here's the thing with cutting a strap: it's permanent."
Yes, we definitely acknowledge this point, and all customers buy the strap knowing this. We're working on a new clasp with additional holes so there's some additional micro-adjustability to the strap, beyond using the 3rd strap that's supplied.
-----------------
This is something I left out because you also mentioned this on Instagram. I think it was the day of launch you said you were working on a V2 which means you launched this KNOWING it was a half-baked product and needed redesign.
And the third strap, according to your marketing is incase you make a mistake cutting one. So now it's for a slightly different length? And clumsy people (who cut one too short) are now robbed of this "second length" feature? Sounds like a lazy approach to me.
-----------------
6. "I guess the design is a personal choice but it is really bland."
Yup, we went with a plain design to start, so that it's most universal. We will be releasing other designs down the road that may better suit different watches.
7. "Delugs, if you are going to copy someone, copy Apple."
The benefit of the CTS style is the lack of any strap excess. There's no overhang, and there's also no excess strap between your wrist and the strap. With the Apple strap, you have to tuck the excess inside the strap, which isn't comfortable.
-----------------
About 195 million Apple watches disagree with you here, but sure. Clearly, you know better the Apple. Please, have a little humility here. I want to point out, again, that I like your leather straps and have bought several over the years. You're attitude makes me question if I will buy on again in the future.
-----------------
Also, the Apple design is incredibly non-secure. A solid pull in the right (or wrong) direction, and the watch falls to the ground. Sure, for an Apple Watch that may not be such a problem. But on a luxury watch, we definitely cannot afford that to happen. For this reason, a Deployant Clasp, or even a tang buckle, is way more secure.
-----------------
Again, 195 million Apple watches sold. All with that strap. But you know better. I really can't help feel the success of Delugs has gone to your head. An Apple watch is $400USD. For a lot of people that IS an expensive watch and they would be extremely upset if fell off their wrist and broke. It would be a big problem for them.
To anyone reading this: Have you EVER heard of an Apple watch strap failing. EVER?
-----------------
Btw, when did "solid and dense" suddenly become a luxurious feeling rubber strap? I thought heavy just meant heavy. Anyway, moving on...
-----------------
Yes, the Apple strap is solid, dense and luxurious feelings. Yours is heavy. They are indeed different. I never said "solid and dense"=luxurious, or that it didn't. Just that the CTS feels heavy, but not luxurious.
-----------------
8. "Strap holes were a perfect solution to a problem that Delugs seems to have re-invented..."
Back to s/n 1 and 5, a standard rubber strap with strap holes work if your wrist size is sufficiently large. But ask anyone with a small wrist, and existing rubber straps with strap holes just don't work well.
Yes, it is possible to make shorter rubber straps to fit those with smaller wrists, but there's a reason so few brands have that - it means another mold, another set of straps to make and keep in inventory, and for many brands (us included), that amount of capital tied up in inventory just doesn't work out.
Ultimately, my belief is that CTS is the better solution, especially if you plan to use the strap across watches with a similar lug to lug length. Yes, it would be even better with more adjustability via the clasp, and that's something we're already working on. I do think that the broader industry will move in this direction.'
-----------------
You believe it. I don't. We are actually allowed to have a different opinion. As for the industry, let's see of Delugs overtakes Apple.
-----------------
Now, to all the personal insults and attacks on us and our team, that's truly uncalled for, unprofessional, and unnecessary. We're all adults, so let's stay civil and offer constructive criticism.
-----------------
Oh boo hoo, I know you're the victim here. I don't see any personal insults. I said you made a lazy product (which you did - you bought an off the shelf clasp and used a Patek style strap), the poor design essentially defeats the usefulness of the quick release spring bars, and then you redesigned the product AFTER launch and selling as many as you could so you can sell V2 to all the same people that bought V1. Oh, and I said your team wears Versace.
I guess you don't own a Versace T-shirt?
-----------------
To anyone who may have doubts about this product, especially after reading this review, do reach out to other customers that have bough the product and tagged us on our Instagram to ask for their feedback, or check out other reviews on our website. Yes, this isn't a perfect product, but we never said that it is. There are things that we're working on to improve on in the next iteration. But it's definitely not as "half baked" and "lazy" as this review puts out. We're a team of fellow watch enthusiasts, and we definitely put all products through a lot of testing before we release it for public sales.
-----------------
Question: How many of these did you send to influences on Instagram? How many of the reviews out there are done using a strap provided for free from Delugs?
You put them thought so much "testing" that you have a new version, fixing the issues, already conceived before the first is out the door - Very impressing "testing".
-----------------
My answer are between "-----------------"
1. "cutting a strap to make it fit is a stupid, lazy design"
I didn't elaborate more over IG than a simple one-liner reply, but of course there's more to it than just because another brand did it.
-----------------
I hope so... But I guess we will never know.
-----------------
If you have a wrist size of >6.5 inch, good for you because most rubber straps will fit just fine. If you have a small wrist size, you'll quickly realise the problems with 90% of the rubber straps on the market - they are sized "universally", but what that really means is that its made extremely long, with >10 strap holes (just look at the Barton strap in the post as an example), just so they technically fit everyone's wrist. But in reality, this is a terrible fit for people with small wrist, and you end up with a strap that has a very long overhang.
-----------------
I have a 6.5 inch wrist (about about 6.75 on a hot day) and, yes something like the Barton has excess holes... As do literally all of your leather/skin straps. How come we don't cut those? I'm not sure why it's such a bad problem. But there is a more elegant solution: See my Apple strap example. Cartier, seemed to take note (but I guess you will tell me you know more about luxury than Cartier, now, right?. Like I said in the title of this post, you aren't interested in feedback or listening. You are here to tell us why your product is perfect and do damage control.
-----------------
Cut to size means that with one single design, we have a strap that definitely fits your wrist, no matter how large or small it is. People with smaller wrist will definitely appreciate this.
Also, CTS means that you don't have any strap excess at all, which makes for a very clean look without any excess strap left to worry about. Wearing and taking off the watch is a very simple (and fun) process without the excess strap.
-----------------
You realize that putting it on, it quite literally made me bleed. And that's "fun" in your eyes?
-----------------
2. "The first thing I noticed is that it's heavy"
Both sides of the CTS strap is uncut, so yes it would be heavier than the actual weight. Compared to the Barton band, it also has the Deployant Clasp vs the tang buckle, so yes it would be heavier on that count too. Maybe post a photo of the strap + clasp after it is cut down to the right size and compare again with the Barton band, that might be a better comparison.
-----------------
Even cut, without the clasp, it's still likely heavier. But why are you even upset about this?
-----------------
3. "[The clasp] is REALLY sharp. Really, really sharp...It's like having a knife blade pressed up against the bottom on your wrist"
This is straight up an exaggeration, unless you received a defective product. It is nowhere near that sharp, and we've had many customers who have used the strap without the same issues as this. In fact, yes the edge that touches the wrist is bevelled.
-----------------
I want to point to the photo where your product literally made a customer of yours bleed. But I guess that's an "exaggeration". Are you going to tell me I photoshopped that, now? Gimme a break. It's the same clasp the RM and MB&F use. There's is also equally as excessively sharp. The difference, is those brands have the humility and confidence to acknowledge this.
-----------------
4. "In an effort, I assume, to make the strap as heavy as possible, they made it as thick as possible. Let's call it "inaccessible". 10 points for thoughtlessness, Delugs."
Not too sure what the thickness is referring to, but this is the exact same quick release spring bar that we use on all our leather straps. The fact that you got it on the watch, probably means that it works fine.
If you're referring to the thickness of the rubber strap and not the spring bar, we'll look into whether this is an issue that other customers face too. It is still a very supple strap even with the current thickness, but we'll look into whether the strap thickness can be further reduced without comprising on the overall feel and quality.
-----------------
In the photo you can clearly see that the little tab you push to make the spring bar shorter (to fit between the watch lugs) is no accessible. Yes, I could get it on, eventually, but what a pain. It was easier to use a spring bar tool than the tab.
-----------------
5. "Here's the thing with cutting a strap: it's permanent."
Yes, we definitely acknowledge this point, and all customers buy the strap knowing this. We're working on a new clasp with additional holes so there's some additional micro-adjustability to the strap, beyond using the 3rd strap that's supplied.
-----------------
This is something I left out because you also mentioned this on Instagram. I think it was the day of launch you said you were working on a V2 which means you launched this KNOWING it was a half-baked product and needed redesign.
And the third strap, according to your marketing is incase you make a mistake cutting one. So now it's for a slightly different length? And clumsy people (who cut one too short) are now robbed of this "second length" feature? Sounds like a lazy approach to me.
-----------------
6. "I guess the design is a personal choice but it is really bland."
Yup, we went with a plain design to start, so that it's most universal. We will be releasing other designs down the road that may better suit different watches.
7. "Delugs, if you are going to copy someone, copy Apple."
The benefit of the CTS style is the lack of any strap excess. There's no overhang, and there's also no excess strap between your wrist and the strap. With the Apple strap, you have to tuck the excess inside the strap, which isn't comfortable.
-----------------
About 195 million Apple watches disagree with you here, but sure. Clearly, you know better the Apple. Please, have a little humility here. I want to point out, again, that I like your leather straps and have bought several over the years. You're attitude makes me question if I will buy on again in the future.
-----------------
Also, the Apple design is incredibly non-secure. A solid pull in the right (or wrong) direction, and the watch falls to the ground. Sure, for an Apple Watch that may not be such a problem. But on a luxury watch, we definitely cannot afford that to happen. For this reason, a Deployant Clasp, or even a tang buckle, is way more secure.
-----------------
Again, 195 million Apple watches sold. All with that strap. But you know better. I really can't help feel the success of Delugs has gone to your head. An Apple watch is $400USD. For a lot of people that IS an expensive watch and they would be extremely upset if fell off their wrist and broke. It would be a big problem for them.
To anyone reading this: Have you EVER heard of an Apple watch strap failing. EVER?
-----------------
Btw, when did "solid and dense" suddenly become a luxurious feeling rubber strap? I thought heavy just meant heavy. Anyway, moving on...
-----------------
Yes, the Apple strap is solid, dense and luxurious feelings. Yours is heavy. They are indeed different. I never said "solid and dense"=luxurious, or that it didn't. Just that the CTS feels heavy, but not luxurious.
-----------------
8. "Strap holes were a perfect solution to a problem that Delugs seems to have re-invented..."
Back to s/n 1 and 5, a standard rubber strap with strap holes work if your wrist size is sufficiently large. But ask anyone with a small wrist, and existing rubber straps with strap holes just don't work well.
Yes, it is possible to make shorter rubber straps to fit those with smaller wrists, but there's a reason so few brands have that - it means another mold, another set of straps to make and keep in inventory, and for many brands (us included), that amount of capital tied up in inventory just doesn't work out.
Ultimately, my belief is that CTS is the better solution, especially if you plan to use the strap across watches with a similar lug to lug length. Yes, it would be even better with more adjustability via the clasp, and that's something we're already working on. I do think that the broader industry will move in this direction.'
-----------------
You believe it. I don't. We are actually allowed to have a different opinion. As for the industry, let's see of Delugs overtakes Apple.
-----------------
Now, to all the personal insults and attacks on us and our team, that's truly uncalled for, unprofessional, and unnecessary. We're all adults, so let's stay civil and offer constructive criticism.
-----------------
Oh boo hoo, I know you're the victim here. I don't see any personal insults. I said you made a lazy product (which you did - you bought an off the shelf clasp and used a Patek style strap), the poor design essentially defeats the usefulness of the quick release spring bars, and then you redesigned the product AFTER launch and selling as many as you could so you can sell V2 to all the same people that bought V1. Oh, and I said your team wears Versace.
I guess you don't own a Versace T-shirt?
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To anyone who may have doubts about this product, especially after reading this review, do reach out to other customers that have bough the product and tagged us on our Instagram to ask for their feedback, or check out other reviews on our website. Yes, this isn't a perfect product, but we never said that it is. There are things that we're working on to improve on in the next iteration. But it's definitely not as "half baked" and "lazy" as this review puts out. We're a team of fellow watch enthusiasts, and we definitely put all products through a lot of testing before we release it for public sales.
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Question: How many of these did you send to influences on Instagram? How many of the reviews out there are done using a strap provided for free from Delugs?
You put them thought so much "testing" that you have a new version, fixing the issues, already conceived before the first is out the door - Very impressing "testing".
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Rubber is heavy
I follow Delugs creations, never owned one.
I think it all depends on what you look for, an aesthetically balanced rubber strap with deployant or a classic rubber strap with a pin buckle and holes.
They all have pros and cons.
A custom strap is cut and sized to what is measured on that specific moment, my bracelet in now bit loose because it is cold: should I blame Bulgari for not having designed a micro regulation for the closing system?
I've never tried that kind of deployante but though they are more secure than the buckle, they are usually bulky and, sometimes, uncomfortable.
Comparing an apple-thing is absolutely deceptive IMHO, like any other smart whatever watch.
I don't have a dog in this fight . . .
and I believe your review is a welcome refreshment from the usual.
Nevertheless, I have to say that the half dozen or so typographical/spelling errors take some of the "power" out of it -- I found them distracting and actually suggest a hypocrisy on your part for being too lazy to proofread your own post! Just sayin'
I've actually been thinking of your comment a bit this afternoon...
And your comment about the "power" of my review. My review isn't supposed to have "power". I'm not a professional reviewer, blogger, influencer or anything like that. I'm just a watch lover. That's it. I was excited about Delugs putting out a rubber strap because I like their straps. They are affordable enough that I can buy a bunch, in fun colours that I may not want to spend $300 on. It allows me to have a lot of variety and the straps are affordable enough that, even if I wear them only a few times, I don't feel bad about that. With custom or OEM, they are often several hundred dollars, so I am far more considerate about them.
My "review" isn't a review at all, is just my opinion. It is my thoughts with the CTS. Take it for what it's worth, but isn't supposed to be powerful, just my honest, unfiltered experience, spelling and grammar mistakes and all. I'm flattered, however, that you feel it is at a level that it was worth scrutinizing before posting. I suppose I didn't take it as seriously as that; I typed it up in one go, and posted it. I hope people enjoyed reading something different on a lazy Saturday afternoon or morning and perhaps had a chuckle.
My "review" isn't a review at all, is just my opinion. It is my thoughts with the CTS. Take it for what it's worth, but isn't supposed to be powerful, just my honest, unfiltered experience, spelling and grammar mistakes and all. I'm flattered, however, that you feel it is at a level that it was worth scrutinizing before posting. I suppose I didn't take it as seriously as that; I typed it up in one go, and posted it. I hope people enjoyed reading something different on a lazy Saturday afternoon or morning and perhaps had a chuckle.
@BigFatPauli Thanks for the reasoned response to my post!
I appreciate your impulse to share your experience with that being all you wanted to do. It is apparent to me now that your goal was to awaken others to several of the concerns you had and not to “influence” anyone to do anything. To that end you succeeded (I for one learned from your post) and typos become irrelevant! Thank you for sharing your experience.
heard about and seen cheap Delugs straps being sold
for a premium price. Some of their stuff only looks good on pics. Didn't like that they made cheaper copies of Cartier Quickswitch straps ...
Personally
I think everyone has the right to make a positive or negative review about a product here. So thank you Pauli for sharing with us on your experience. Because I have known you for some time, I’d like to say I trust you and that I’ll never be buying a delugs rubber strap ever. I didn’t even read that lengthy response from delugs. Fwiw, if your customer is dissatisfied, then message him privately and sort things out. In my humble opinion trying to clear things up here and end off by saying trading insults isn’t adult like is just a passive aggressive response and doesn’t make anyone feel any better. Your customer thinks he has wasted money on a product he seems inferior and can’t use — you should make it up to him and improve the customer experience, not rebut him! Not being able to take criticism is bad for business.
Regards
Gatsby
Regards
Gatsby
It works both ways...
It is not a question of having the right or not. Personally, I think a dissatisfied customer should take his complaints directly to the seller rather than express them publicly. But, because he did it here, the seller had all the rights to defend his product here.
I don’t disagree that it works both ways
But it isn’t about defending the product. It’s about after sales customer service. If his product is good, why is there a need to defend it? The product should speak for itself and you wouldn’t get a lengthy response describing the negative experience of ownership. BFP has been a long time forum member, and even though it might seem counterintuitive, but I think sharing his negative experience helps other forum members become aware of such a problem with the product. Fwiw I don’t think BFP was complaining too. He was sharing his experience. And I am perfectly fine with it. I hope the forum isn’t a platform to only share about the good things about the watch industry. As we all know there’s a huge amount of unpleasantness too that comes along with our hobby. Members should be allowed to share and air their grievances. It’s just my 2c on the matter and I have nothing against your thoughts on the matter.
Best
Gatsby
Best
Gatsby
I dunno the "review" sounds oddly personal like his previous posts for his distaste for journe
complains about the price and design but orders it anyways? when your preconceived notions are already negative not sure why you would buy it. and it does read like there are a lot of insults hurled at the brand that are weirdly demeaning
Dchang
I honestly do not think it was personal for him. And yes while his choice of words felt like insults, honestly let’s not kid ourselves here ok? Off the forum in real life most of us talk like that — if not worse. It didn’t sound like his preconceived notions were negative. He owned other delugs straps and was positive about them. Maybe skeptical about the rubber strap, but he decided to order one to give it a shot anyway. And even if he was negative about the strap but decided to buy it and give it a shot, what’s the bloody big deal? There are people out there who would choose to take the contrarian approach in some of their decision making processes for whatever their reason.
Now like what some other forum member who have said, I have no dog in the fight, and certainly nothing against you. I just feel that he probably think the forum was a safe and familiar place to air his grievances about a bad experience. Regardless his choice of words, in my humble opinion he wasn’t trying to cause anyone hurt. Maybe callous, but definitely not malicious the way I see it.
Regards
Gatsby
P.S. I’m not going to waste anymore time replying on this post.
Now like what some other forum member who have said, I have no dog in the fight, and certainly nothing against you. I just feel that he probably think the forum was a safe and familiar place to air his grievances about a bad experience. Regardless his choice of words, in my humble opinion he wasn’t trying to cause anyone hurt. Maybe callous, but definitely not malicious the way I see it.
Regards
Gatsby
P.S. I’m not going to waste anymore time replying on this post.
"It’s about after sales customer service"
Exactly the point I am trying to make. Had he gone directly to the seller instead of posting here, he would have experienced the Delugs after sales customer service. The same way one buys any new product which turns out to be faulty and goes to the selling company rather than airing his/her dissatisfaction on a forum. You don't get customer service from a forum audience.
Why should he gone to the seller ?
From what i read OP did not expecting any service from the seller.he just want to share his experience with fellow forum member.is he not allowed to share ?
he's complaining about a strap that is cut to fit, its bland design, and price
it's not like he didn't know it was cut to fit when he bought it. not sure why that's delugs problem. and saying that they don't know what they are doing by selling a strap in that design is disingenuous, there are plenty of other brands that have a tang, buy one of those. don't buy a cut to fit then spend several paragraphs explaining why that's a bad design and saying they don't know what luxury is. then making some weird visual insulting how he imagines they dress, not even reality? this is like me going to a sushi restaurant when I don't like sushi. just a bizarre "review" imho
As I’ve said before
I think the point is that he was trying to share with other forum
members his experience. I don’t find anything wrong with that. As with receiving after sales customer service on the forum, you have a point. But in Delugs’ reply to BFP, I don’t think there was any suggestion/hint from them
in there that if he took it off the forum, there was going to be some sort of remedial action taken.
Again this is just my opinion on the matter nothing more. And the point I’m trying to make is that I don’t see why we can’t share negative experiences here and be more understanding . As we all know with most big corporations, you might take your grievances to them privately but because it’s corporation versus individual, you know you’re not gonna get much if not anything out of it. It’s hard for the little guy to take a corporation to task. Anyway that’s where I’m coming from. You made some valid points and you sound like a reasonable person. Thanks.
Regards
Gatsby
members his experience. I don’t find anything wrong with that. As with receiving after sales customer service on the forum, you have a point. But in Delugs’ reply to BFP, I don’t think there was any suggestion/hint from them
in there that if he took it off the forum, there was going to be some sort of remedial action taken.
Again this is just my opinion on the matter nothing more. And the point I’m trying to make is that I don’t see why we can’t share negative experiences here and be more understanding . As we all know with most big corporations, you might take your grievances to them privately but because it’s corporation versus individual, you know you’re not gonna get much if not anything out of it. It’s hard for the little guy to take a corporation to task. Anyway that’s where I’m coming from. You made some valid points and you sound like a reasonable person. Thanks.
Regards
Gatsby
