Dave R

Been looking at straps on the Rolex Daytona, which to me look better than what Everest has to offer. Unfortunately it doesn’t look like Rolex does anything similar with their Oyster Perpetual 39mm.

Although a Rolex OP 39mm is one of my favourite looking watches, I’ve come to prefer straps much more than bracelets. Now while it’ll be sometime before I’m able to get a ROP, I’ve been looking at different straps and came across a place that not only do straps, but also an end link specifically for 20mm lug Rolex, which to me looks a lot better than just a strap. Not sure if this end link has already been mentioned on Head-Case, but here are some photos.

An Oyster Perpetual 39mm is not only my favourite looking Rolex, but is one of my favourite looking watches, and straight after getting that Saxonia thin I was strongly considering getting one, but doing so would’ve put me further into debt, which is why I decided to get a Grand Seiko quartz. However once that debt is paid off and I’m financially able to do so, I’m using that GSQ as part exchange for a ROP.

Yes, that’s what I’ve done since using the GS deployant clasp, which puts no stress on the strap.

As I’ve mentioned, I find the Saxonia strap to be extremely comfortable, the problem however is because of its buckle, getting the strap through the keepers can be somewhat awkward, and over time will end up damaging the strap. To solve that problem I’ve had the Grand Seiko deployant clasp fitted to the Saxonia’s strap with them being the same width. This depoyant clasp makes the comfort just as good as with the ALS buckle, the downside though is it doesn’t sit as flush. So my next thing to get is an ALS deployant clasp, although I don’t know when that’ll be because they’re not cheap. Anyway here’s a couple photos of that GS deployant clasp on my Saxonia, and a couple more of the ALS clasp.

Decided to take your advice Reks, and have kept the ALS strap on the saxonia, and had that new strap put on the GSQ. Sorry about the not so clear photo.

Received the strap I ordered for my Saxonia thin, which the leather ( 2.5mm thick ) is Chromexcel from Horween Tannery Chicago USA. The photos are of that strap with the ALS, however because the ALS strap is extremely comfortable, and the lug width of the Grand Seiko Quartz I have is the same as the Saxonia, I may have that new strap put on the GSQ.

The first couple watches I got sometime ago were bought new, but after then I’ve only got used.

Thanks Reks. Something I haven’t mentioned, is while this Saxonia of mine may look brand new, it’s actually used. I got it from Watchfinder.co.uk that sell only used watches. This ALS though was done in 2018 so it’s not old, which is probably why it’s in pristine condition. What I can’t understand is why the previous owner let it go so quick, unless they preferred the ALS 1815 and exchanged that Saxonia for one. Whatever their reason I’m glad they did because I paid quite a bit less than what they’re new, plus I was able to exchange that JLC I had for it.

Very happy with the leather strap that’s on this GSQ I recently got, so it’s staying on and I’ll keep that Toshi as spare.

That Grand Seiko Quartz I’d ordered was delivered today, and I’m very impressed with it, yes not many would spend a reasonable amount on a quartz watch, but it does look ( imo ) really nice, appears to be well built, and its 9F movement is supposed to keep very accurate timing, it’s also extremely comfortable. Now that I’m very happy with the two watches I have ( one that’s been a dream of mine ), I don’t think I’ll be getting anymore, but time will tell, pardon the pun. ?

Just ordered that strap plus buckle in the photos from Toshi Strap, which I’ll have put on my ALS. The strap is black, 2.5mm thick, will be 19mm wide, with black thread. The buckle is 20mm wide with a brushed finish. I have to say I didn’t notice this before on Toshi Straps website, otherwise I’d have ordered it instead of that one I have.

I’ve wanted a saxonia for sometime, I also like to wear a watch a lot, but with that ALS being manual wind, there are times I won’t wear it, such times I’ll be wearing that Grand Seiko quartz.

That strap I have was for my JLC, and the lug width of that watch is 17mm, so obviously the strap width is 17mm. The lug width on the Saxonia however is 19mm, so that strap probably wouldn’t look good on that beautiful looking ALS anyway.

True, which is why I’m going to get another strap from Toshi, but only if it can be done thinner. Btw, that Toshi Strap I have is a Shell Cordovan, but is around 4.5mm thick.

Ok thanks.

Thanks for that SeaWolf. Yeah I do like that Toshi strap, plus it should go well with that saxonia, so I’ll have it put on. Love showing photos, so here’s two of that strap.

I’ve previously mentioned that I like to wear a watch while playing snooker and pool, but there’s no way I’ll be wearing that saxonia playing those two games. This is because I’m left handed and wear a watch on that wrist, so when striking the cue ball there’s a certain amount of vibration, which may or may not cause damage to that ALS manual movement, either way I’m not taking that chance. However I’ve read a quartz movement has very little moving parts, and is supposed to be quite durable, so yesterday I ordered a quartz watch. Yes quartz movement is frowned upon by a lot of watch enthusiasts, but the one I’m getting is considered to be very well made, and is very nice looking imo. This watch is a Grand Seiko 9F Quartz 37mm, with stainless steel case, black dial, and black leather strap. I ordered it online from a dealer in Japan, and expected delivery is 5th to 13th of February. Some photos of it, and the 9F quartz movement. I will probably have that Toshi strap put on this watch.

After some thought, it would be foolish of me to change the ALS strap, for that Toshi, therefore it’s staying on.

Received that Saxonia, and I’m over the moon about it, not only does it look and feel amazing, but the winding is very enjoyable, turning its crown makes a ratchet sound with a reassuring movement, then it kind of springs back slightly when stopping the wind. The only thing I would change which is what I’ll be having done is its strap, I got another strap for my JLC because I was having a problem with its, this other strap I got from Toshi Straps Uk, and I like it much more than the ALS’s, but apart from that I just love this Saxonia. Anyway here are some photos which includes the packaging it came in, because I’m very impressed with it. The 37mm Saxonia probably looks big on me, but that’s because I have thin wrists, 6.25”.

Will do.

Been informed I’ll be receiving it tomorrow, which I’m excited about.

In my previous post, I said there was no point getting myself into debt for a Saxonia, however I’ve also said that that ALS is one of my dream watches, so I’ve thought if I could easily make a loan repayment then I’d get one. Now I enquired about a service cost of my JLC Master ultra thin from a place I’d got watches from, and they quoted £750, ( the service was being done by JLC ) this place also had a Saxonia thin 37mm in white gold available. So I asked this place rather than have my JLC serviced, would they accept that JLC as it is, in part exchange for that Saxonia, which they said they would, they also made me an offer for my JLC I was happy with. I then asked about a loan from my bank, and was able to get one with a decent interest rate. What this means is the monthly repayment is an amount I can easily make, so I should be getting that Saxonia in the next couple days.?

After giving it some thought, I’m just going to have my JLC serviced and wait until I’ve the money saved for a Saxonia thin 37mm. No matter how much I desire that watch, there’s no point getting myself into debt for one, especially when I’ve other things that need sorting.

Probably not a wise thing for me to do, but Monday I’m making enquires about a loan in order to help get a Saxonia thin 37mm in white gold, yes I like a stainless steel case, but white gold is more luxurious, it’s also more susceptible to marks/scratches. The place I’ve had dealings with before has that A Lange & Söhne model available, which is the same place I’ve enquired about having my JLC serviced, so I’ll ask them if they’ll take my JLC as part exchange for that Saxonia thin.