B-Man2
Well-Known Member
Nice Luke !!
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Watches to wear with your flight jackets...
- Thread starter ties70
- Start date
stanier
Well-Known Member
Cheap A-11 arrived. For £55 really can't complain. My only issue is the strap doesn't close up enough for my skinny wrist. Anyone know where I can get an original one in the UK please? I assume originals closed up smaller than this one does which needs another couple of holes.
Pa12
Well-Known Member
I’m not sure about overseas, but NOS straps are widely available in North America. But with exchange and shipping they’re getting pricey. And if you’re working on your cars and what not, the NOS straps don’t last long. Not sure if it’s the type of material or the age. This is mine after around 6 to 8 months.
stanier
Well-Known Member
Thanks Pa12 for the detail. Looking at where the first hole is on your strap it would definitely make for a closer fit than mine. I've seen on Ebay there's a fair few in the US for sale, but they all cost around the £20 mark, and then sellers seem to want another £20 for postage which feels a bit excessive. If that's my only route I'll do it eventually but hopefully someone here can point me at one in the UK. I get the durability issue and it'll probably get worn most weekdays in my office and maybe not abused too much, but will have to see. I won't be able to live with this looseness on the current strap I know. Cheers
Pa12
Well-Known Member
I believe they come in different sizes (the nos ones). But the same here. Not bad prices until I do the exchange and shipping. I wouldn’t mind if they lasted. There’s a few suitable modern replacements available. I might try one.
stanier
Well-Known Member
If you see one with the holes close to the strap bar lug please let me know. My closest hole is 2 2/8 inches from the strap bar lug and it's too far. Thanks again Pa12
Pa12
Well-Known Member
Will do. Did you consider punching and stitching a couple holes?
stanier
Well-Known Member
I must admit, I was just mulling how practical it might be for me to do that. It might be a short term fix at least..
Pa12
Well-Known Member
From what I can see, your strap looks the part and is likely stronger. Maybe there are different ones but my nos strap seems to be a very thin poplin material. And “new” or not it’s pretty old.
Micawber
Well-Known Member
A cheap multi size leather punch [like a pair of pliers with various size punches on a rotating wheel would suffice.
Micawber
Well-Known Member
My original straps are similar.
Pa12
Well-Known Member
Just threw on one of my other nos bands. There doesn’t seem to be anything indicating a size. But for reference, the first hole is 2 inches from the pin.
coolhandluke
Well-Known Member
Pa, it looks like that watch has 18mm lugs rather than 16mm (originals came in 16mm and 14mm as well as standard and long lengths). If you want strap that looks like the original, but is the correct width, NATO G-10 carries these:
Edit: Sorry...I see that you were just helping stanier out with the length of an original. If it helps any, I have a 6.5" wrist and a standard length original strap still has at least 1 or 2 adjustment holes left when installed on my A-17A (a 32mm watch IIRC). The repro canvas straps above are long (200mm combined length), so they're not great for the small wristed.
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Pa12
Well-Known Member
Yes, you’re right. I was actually looking at that exact strap today.
coolhandluke
Well-Known Member
They're fine as long as you don't have small wrists. They're a combined length of 200mm (I'm assuming (70mm x 130mm or 75mm x 125mm). With a 6.5" wrist, straps with a combined length of 170mm - 185mm typically work best for me.
Pa12
Well-Known Member
I do have small wrists I guess. But they’re not limp
