Horological Meandering

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 know if anyone has tried these straps and what they think of them. Are they worth the prices asked and are they the equal of, or perhaps even superior to the straps supplied by for example Blancpain for the 2100 series (now Leman) my favourite Strap to date.

I am impressed with the examples shown on ABP site for example but would like to hear members experiences and opinions about quality fit and appearance

Cheers in advance Jerry

 

I had one Stingray strap by ABP made that costed 400 euro,

No message body

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 basically the store had been emptied out).  There were no notices posted on any of the windows either, but their website still lists this as their address.

Could one of our Paris based members let us know what has happened to Jean Rousseau?   According to one of the staff members at the Audemars Piguet boutique, the store has been like this for about the last two months.  Have Jean Rousseau, in fact, ceased trading?

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.

Cheers,

Nilo

This message has been edited by mrsnak on 2012-08-30 18:59:26

I'm very happy with them... top quality for me!

Fx

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 though.

Jean Rousseau look very interesting also. very helpful thanks again

Jerry

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, really stunning in the flesh.

Agree, they are expensive but I think they are worth it. I found Sonia to be very helpful.

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 "guess the animal"...harder than it sounds!!

All the straps makers you mention have not the same positioning clearly, ABP is unquestionably the most high-end of all.

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ABP made huge effort for some of them,  This message has been edited by noodia on 2012-09-02 22:10:30

Congratulations on the vision.

Andrew

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 little out of the usual and boy is ABP a candystore for this purpose! I had to constantly remind myself to not go over the top as I was afraid that the end result would turn out confusing and not supporting the watch. I suppose that with the level of choice presented when ordering true "bespoke" your own taste and design skills get all the more important. You, my friend, are clearly gifted in that direction!

Looking forward to seeing the postman and to share the result here...

All the best

Nikolaj

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... 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.

... 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 Perrin established Atelier Bracelet du Parisien.  I think your JCP strap is from Creations Jean-Claude Perrin, which was J-C Perrin's previous business.

p.s. beautiful watches and straps you have there!

Thanks for clarifying and for your kind words!

Nikolaj

Now ABP is managed by Jean-Claude's son, Yann, 

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 internationally then the website allows you to customise everything, which is great.

CF are wonderful for more elegant and dressy straps and plain leathers like cow hide. Love the feel of these,

Hirsch were a little crude but wear well. [It has been 7 years since my last strap from them.]

I was in the JR Atelier in Paris in May and they showed me some lovely hides and colours. haven't ordered from them, and awaiting news that kkwn98 noted the closure of the Parisian shopfront. Hope they are still in production. It's great to have variety and choices!

Andrew

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 strap for my Omega memomatic because the original bracelet could not be sized to my wrist comfortably.   I used a "guy" (one of the many who make big straps for Panerai or other large watches) from one  of the other watch boards and got a sturdy natural python strap that complements the watch fabulously, custom sized.   Not exquisite, but just what I wanted and needed and it has received many compliments from knowledgeable WIS.   

I usually have luck for my vintages from a stock of vintage and modern straps i keep on hand or can source easily from vintage strap dealers, but if I do need to special order something for a vintage or modern dress watch, I  ask my local independent watch dealer to get it from Camille Fournet.  

Ginger