The Watch Thread (1 Viewer)

I'm going for this one next

IMG_1606.webp
 
Feel like I don't rotate watches enough these days anymore. Love this one.. got this one a few years back to celebrate my 10yr wedding anniversary. Top time "Zorro" limited edition. Was a throwback design to the James Bond Thunderball watch.

1000018131.webp
 
I ordered a strap from Jean Rousseau today for my Oris and man they have some gorgeous materials available!

View attachment 1526497

Going with this metallic gold crocodile for my Blancpain. @gopherblue
Alright...it's your fault when I have to explain to my wife why I "need" a new bespoke strap...LOL. You weren't kidding with the beautiful options.

I'm looking at both Jean Rousseau and Dangerous9Straps (D9) right now. Does anybody have any experience with D9?

D9 caught my eye because of their ‘Thick Curved Lug System’ (TCLS) and the ‘Fully Integrated Fit’ (FIF) upgrades. I assume Jean Rousseau can do that as well, but D9 goes all out with videos, etc. discussing these options.
 
Awesome, I can't wait! Did they give you an estimate on time? I'm in no hurry, but I just need to decide if it's a Christmas present, or do I need to make up a holiday.

I thought I read 4-6 weeks somewhere. I paid my invoice July 1. Not sure if I will be hit by additional duties or what route it will. Wait till I get it and post pics. I don’t want to recommend something not inexpensive without personal experience first.

My imported watch from France has been in customs since July 11. I think finally it may be delivered this week. After I paid the 31% tariff on components made in Switzerland :rolleyes:
 
I thought I read 4-6 weeks somewhere. I paid my invoice July 1. Not sure if I will be hit by additional duties or what route it will. Wait till I get it and post pics. I don’t want to recommend something not inexpensive without personal experience first.

My imported watch from France has been in customs since July 11. I think finally it may be delivered this week. After I paid the 31% tariff on components made in Switzerland :rolleyes:
Cool!! 4 - 6 weeks makes for a perfect pre-Christmas gift!! (: Jean Rousseau (JR) is at the top of every bespoke watch strap list I find, so I will be super surprised, and bumbed out, if it isn't AMAZING!! The only reason that I explored D9 is because of the integrated strap options they advertise. My only fear with JR is that they are too busy to focus on my nonsense integrated needs. (:

IMHO, my retirement watch is a 9.0 out of 10 for what I wanted. The 10.0 version, i.e., the rolex, was a few $k more than what I had....LOL. My basic requirements were:

1. Light blue dial
2. White Gold or platinum case.

The piece that is missing with IWC to take it to a perfect 10 for me is the strap.

1. I prefer and Omega or Tag deployment tyoe strap that puts the extra strap shit on the inside of the band where nobody sees it. IWC puts the extra strao shit right in my face. Drives me nuts!!

2. A strap that actually looks like it wasn't an after thought, i.e., is integrated. D9 posted the following, which ROCK in my humble opinion. No gap between the lugs and strap. Pure heaven!! Sorry, I'm anal!! The gap in the Santoni IWC strap is a mile wide.

Anyway...just looking to go from 9.0 to 10.0 without spending another $50k. (:

That's a long way of saying that I'm really ooking forward to seeing your custom straps my friend!!

Screenshot_20250729_112003_Chrome.webp
Screenshot_20250729_085744_Chrome.webp
olivier-s-custom-dyed-antiqued-blue-alligator-strap-for-rolex-deep-sea-d-blue-10.webp
Baltic-Blue-Teju-Strap-Grand-Seiko-Product.webp
 
Yeah I looked into D9. Looks like he’s based out of Germany. The guy used to do medieval and renaissance lifestyle? Lol.

JR tells me the strap is made and that it takes about a month to clear customs. Their NYC boutique will notify me when it arrives.

Two other brands that popped up in my search for a replacement strap for my MAD1 are Delugs and Wrist Buddy. Wrist Buddy is based out of Norway. Delugs seems to sell lower quality straps like you would find on a rep.

If you like IWC there’s a dealer in Vegas who sent me these pics of IWCs. I asked to try on an Eternal Calendar.

1753839856990.webp


1753839874762.webp


He also tried to sell me on this tourbillon that can withstand 10000Gs? Lol.

1753839936032.webp

1753839953830.webp

1753839982322.webp


And whatever this is

1753840006586.webp

1753840020682.webp


Meanwhile. AP refuses to even talk to me without an appointment. You have to apply to interview.
 
Yeah I looked into D9. Looks like he’s based out of Germany. The guy used to do medieval and renaissance lifestyle? Lol.

JR tells me the strap is made and that it takes about a month to clear customs. Their NYC boutique will notify me when it arrives.

Two other brands that popped up in my search for a replacement strap for my MAD1 are Delugs and Wrist Buddy. Wrist Buddy is based out of Norway. Delugs seems to sell lower quality straps like you would find on a rep.

If you like IWC there’s a dealer in Vegas who sent me these pics of IWCs. I asked to try on an Eternal Calendar.

View attachment 1542963

View attachment 1542964

He also tried to sell me on this tourbillon that can withstand 10000Gs? Lol.

View attachment 1542965
View attachment 1542966
View attachment 1542967

And whatever this is

View attachment 1542968
View attachment 1542969

Meanwhile. AP refuses to even talk to me without an appointment. You have to apply to interview.
DAAAAMMMNNNN!!! That's some next level shit there!! Was that the IWC boutique in the Venitian? I might have stopped by. (:

The eternal calendar, and perpetual calendars are INSANE, but they are a bit too much going on for my taste...and my wallet...LOL. I went a step down from the perpetual and settled on the 42mm automatic Portugieser. I LOVE the color of the strap, and how it fades from light blue to darker blue, but the gap from the lugs drives me nuts (see pics below). Hence the reason you are my hero for turning me on to bespoke/custom straps!!

Yeah, I wanted to stop and browse the Patek, AP, and Vacheron shops, which were empty as hell and right next to the IWC boutique. But I apparently needed to schedule an appointment for those. I just laughed and left.

I am also contemplating stopping by the JR boutique in NYC. Mainly because I want to get the shades of blue I need 100% right.

LMAO at D9 doing the renaissance thing. He seems to do great work, but maybe that's only in the renaissance off season. :ROFL: :ROFLMAO:

I thought the same thing about Delugs, but have not looked at Wrist Buddy. My preference will be to go with JR if they can do everything I want. If not, I'll give D9 a try. Although, he looks 2 to 3 times more expensive than JR on the integrated straps he does.


1000014400.webp
 
I've had an itch for a new watch lately and the IWC Portofino Complete Calendar was on my list. Thanks for reminding me and making it itch again. I can't afford to touch the watches @DirtyTIVA showed above :LOL: :laugh:

View attachment 1543238
Yup!! I've come to learn that @DirtyTIVA is a bad influence. In a good way. :cool:p

I love the Portifino!! Sell some chips and it will be yours. (:
 
Selling my Blancpain fifty fathoms. I switched out the oem bezel for the oem grand date bezel (original was chipped). Listed for $9k but will often greater deal on here. Box papers whole shebang. Plus extra authentic rubber strap and buckle

Let me know it your interested.


IMG_4718.webp
IMG_9044.webp
IMG_9042.webp
IMG_9043.webp
 
Paid a visit to the Hamilton Boutique Store in Lancaster, PA this weekend. The shop is blocks away from the old original factory, and showcases every model of Hamilton watch and lots of movie memorabilia from films where Hamilton watches played a role. During World War II, the company made over 4 million field watches for U.S. soldiers, including one for my own father.

Several display cases in the store showcase the company history, and enshrine early railroad watches form the 1800s, a Navy ship's clock, two WWII-era military field watches and watches from several movies. They have the actual Hamilton Bolton worn by Harrison Ford in the last Indiana Jones movie and an early Hamilton Ventura that was a favorite of Elvis Presley.

Shop.webp
Field Watches.webp
Ford Bolton.webp
Ventura.webp
 
Last edited:

Create an account or login to comment

You must be a member in order to leave a comment

Create account

Create an account and join our community. It's easy!

Log in

Already have an account? Log in here.

Back
Top Bottom
Cart