Fratello Talks: Expensive Watches On Cheap Straps

[@itsacookie1]

No hate, but 5 mins in and RJ is talking about matching cheap and expensive things being bad while wearing NB sneakers and wearing a 10k+ Rolex or 30k+ Gold Speedy.

[@FratelloMagazine]

The NB sneakers are the USA Made ones (990v6) 😊

[@robert-janbroer8936]

I think you misinterpreted me then. I said that I was raised by the idea that it should be a kinda of a match, certain quality shoes, pants, shirts, sweaters, etc. And today, we see it is very valid to mix super expensive shoes with a €20 shirt from Zara. I didn't say it was bad, it's just how I grew up with these things.

[@Doggo-frencton]

lol I wear a $27K Montblanc/Minerva 106166 (retail was $55K) with $20 flip flops

[@jaysterling26]

Oh, yes but unlike other watch fans who wear budget norm- core ( why no corduroy or moleskin?) , these chaps wear Stone Island, at least once. Phoenix straps- CWC make & say they provide HM forces with them. PS Enjoying the Fratelli uniform - was this for Morgan 's farewell ( RJ always goes rogue, sartorially)?

[@wigmaster7894]

there's a huge difference between the asian made new balance and the ones made in the usa and uk. the uk ones especially. they're not the same product

[@doublequickset]

a topic true to my heart. I wore a vintage submariner on NATO during two Afghanistan tours, just because I thought it was bad ass. Of course nobody else cared, I got only two compliments on the watch during my tours. One from the dentist on base, the second one during chow time. I asked the German soldier what he liked specifically about the watch. His answer: the $20 NATO-strap!! Fun fact: I wear a leather ALS strap on my Patek Annual Calendar. Twice the quality for less than half the price. Patek straps are the worst.

[@henryzwartz5171]

Hi Richard, would love to learn more. Did you take photos of watch on wrist during your tours? Thank you for your service.

[@GinginWatches]

Well, my Patek 7234g came on the worst leather strap I have ever encountered. I wouldn't pay for ssuch a strap more than 30 euros... It is that bad, believe me. So I wear it on CNS nato strap and it suits the watch perfectly :) About nato straps - I work in the textile industry, so I know thing or two about fabrics used in nato and other textiles straps. There is no such thing like expensive nato strap in therms of price of fabric used to make a strap. Sure, there are more or less supple fabrics, better or worse, but they're all extremely cheap :) You use about 0,0005 square meter of fabric per strap, so no matter how base expensive fabric is, you need so little to make a strap that it always costs pennies. Only Tudor straprs are worth paying little more, they're made different. All of the other textile straps are made by chinese guys, simple becouse no one else is manufacturing those things anymore.

[@FratelloMagazine]

That's a shame about Patek. The fabric of NATO is probably the same everywhere, but production can be different. As you say, Tudor are made different, and also Omega's NATOs are produced in France (like Tudor afaik).

[@GinginWatches]

@@FratelloMagazine Omega straps may be produced somewhere else than China, but all they do here is stitching, glueing etc. So yes, they are "made in France", but fabric comes from China :) In entire Europe there is not a single factory capable of prepering those "ribbons". Tudor straps are really made different, with different technique used to manufacture it. So the fabric is made here, in Europe (yarn came from Asia, but that's a different story :) ).

[@FratelloMagazine]

​@@GinginWatches Thanks for the explanation and insights. Despite where the fabric comes from, the quality of Tudor and Omega straps are definitely very different from what we see from the cheaper alternatives. Some other NATOs do come close though. The very cheap ones, that feel like sandpaper, we'd like to stay away from...

[@GinginWatches]

@@FratelloMagazine yes, thats right :) Sometimes I wonder why do people make those straps, when upgrading fabric to better one would costs them like 5 cents... 😅

[@bretthowser6777]

Crown & Buckle supreme NATO straps are about $35 and are super high quality. I’ve got my Speedy patch watch on one.

[@DBR6464]

100% I"m a big fan of them. They look right with more expensive pieces.

[@VMIyanks04]

For me, I love having a bunch of straps (NATO, leather, sailcloth, etc) to give me variety on my watches, especially the Speedy which is a strap monster. The new Speedy does not come with a loupe or any additional straps because the bracelet is just so good. Every time I put it back on the bracelet I remember how good it is! Seiko bracelets are horrible and usually need aftermarket help. My go-to for aftermarket straps are Bark & Jack, WatchGecko, ZuluDiver, Artem, and Theo & Harris.

[@PaoloZucchetti]

in Italy we say: "chi più spende meno spende" means "you get what you pay for"

[@zegervanaschvanwijck7749]

So true

[@edheliosz]

Good episode. Rios 1931 straps are great. Exactly right about Grand Seiko straps being too long. Camille Fournet seems to be the supplier of straps to high end brands.

[@Richspjones]

Interesting conversation. I compare the use of cheap straps to the fitment of cheap or remould tyres on cars. The tyre is the only contact point with the road, so is an essential component for safety and performance. Straps are the same; they should keep your watch securely and comfortably connected to your wrist, so why take the risk? Good luck to Morgan by the way

[@robert-janbroer8936]

Good point/comparison. Thanks

[@b_altmann]

It took me a long time to get a strap made as every watch is different and you need to measure quite a bit (you want the buckle to sit centred on the wrist). And then there are so many colour and leather options and combinations that can all look great. But it was worth it in the end!

[@watch_girl_life]

Coincidentally before this episode was released, I bought the OEM Speedmaster Rubber strap with Deployant Clasp to go with my new white Speedmaster. I cringed at outlaying all that money for a strap but I also wanted to keep to the aesthetic of the watch by having the OEM bracelet, the rubber strap and the the leather strap. I also have a few of the Omega NATO straps which are level quality. Omega strap quality is so good. yes they are super expensive, but the quality is exceptional. I have a lot of straps. Strap companies always want IG people to try their straps. I am not precious about straps or where it is made as long as the quality is good, especially when paying a premium. When it comes to leather straps, my expectation is the strap wont need months of wearing in. Nothing worse than a strap that is stiff and uncomfortable. A few of my favourite strap brands are Artem for Sailcloth. Delugs and Artisen Straps (Australian brand) for leather straps. After trying loads of after market NATO straps, Bark and Jack new 70/30 straps are comfortable. Last thoughts - if you are going to spend a lot of money on a watch, take the bracelet off, put a nice high quality strap on it. Enjoyed this episode - best of luck for the future Morgan. Trish (AKA IG:watch_girl_life)

[@dska2294]

I feel like doing tasteful modifications to this strap as a way of customizing the watch without doing anything terrible to it. Also makes it live bigger. I’ve use the Artemis strap on my Hermis HO8. Obviously the orange rubber strap that I got with. It is a classic look, but it can get old after a while. I bought the titanium trap that goes with the watch also because it’s titanium and the styling matches it. But there’s no taper and no micro adjustment. So ironically, the Artemis is the best of the three. The clasp selection from them enabled me to match the watch perfectly.

[@mosmarb]

Having recently done the opposite and put an Omega NATO on a Mars Moonswatch (the default Swatch strap annoyed me more on the Mars than the Neptune for some reason), I can confirm that the packaging for the Omega NATO does indeed state France rather than China. Though I do have a lingering nagging feeling that I've made an already overpriced watch even more so! My actual Speedmasters are on the OEM bracelets (and an OEM strap in the case of the MD186.0010) and will stay that way.

[@ToolwatchBoutique]

I’ve tried lots of strap manufacturers and my goto choice now, if not OEM, is Fluco.

[@zegervanaschvanwijck7749]

What is th definition of cheap and not cheap straps? The price or the quality?

[@joshuakaplan5726]

I am a stickler for OEM bracelets/straps on the watches, and I've only swapped out straps ounce when I bought the Zuludiver lunar space-bound earth NATO velcro strap for my Mission on Earth Moonswatch, because we all know the moonswatch straps are crap. The I've toyed with the idea of getting the IWC Green Rubber EASY-XChange strap for my IWC pilot's chronograph 41, but it's a stupid amount of money for rubber strap and clasp. Yet I won't stick it on a cheaper NATO because I feel like the watch has to have the whole package of being that one brand, not mixing and matching. The only other watch I'd potentially do a strap swap would be my NOMOS club campus 36 (cream coral dial) to get it on a NATO for warmer/humid months so as to not wear out the OEM strap. I've heard the Omega rubber straps and NATOs are great, and I would rather fork out the money to have that go with with my SMP vice being a NATO from a different strap company, but this is me just being OCD about having the the same brand of shoes to go with the rest of the outfit.

[@WestCoastAce27]

As RJ noted, Brands are making sturdier straps. 2 yrs ago I bought the BB Pro on the strap (then ordered the bracelet) - the strap held that hefty boi without incident. Now all the have to do is agree to make lugs any width… as long as it’s 20mm 😂

[@zegervanaschvanwijck7749]

It’s all fun and games, but I agree with RJ. It matters where and how products are made and we have some responsibility when you can afford stuff like this.

[@williammoss9065]

for dollar spent Strap tailor offers truly great options he is my go-to

[@MrParadigm1981]

Thanks for reading my comment!

[@justingalore123]

Very interested in this since I love a luxury watch but also love a velcro strap!

[@peterballantine8248]

The only reason i buy less expensive straps is to get a feel for it on the watch before i invest in the more expensive option. For example... i tested a Delugs CTS (about $200 cad) on my Seamaster and liked it... so i then replaced it with an oem rubber for about $1,000 within the year. I love the look of both rubber straps better than the oem metal bracelet, but the oem rubber just looks and feels right. Not sure its feels 5x righter, but thats the watch game these days 😢

[@zegervanaschvanwijck7749]

A nice Saffiano leather strap, without the ugly fat painted sides. They fit any watch and make a watch strap a little sportier.

[@huadchai6782]

I'm willing to buy watch straps from other brands. There is a choice for expensive watches that you wear. The main reason is, for example, Omega doesn't make beautiful straps that I like, or not making the color I like. Some Omega model comes with natostrap which I don't like so I need to buy leather strap from other stores.

[@yakupdinler]

How do you know it's the "little hands in China and Bangladesh" who has made the cheap straps? Have you seen factories? Maybe it's proper, grown up people who has made the nato straps. RJ; I think that you need to THINK before you speak 👎

[@robert-janbroer8936]

I could be wrong, but looking at some of the purchase prices some China based platforms charge for NATO straps, I have my sincere doubts these are made under acceptable working conditions. The poor labor conditions on ultra cheap products have been reported about over and over again in media, and it’s not something to ignore. I try to be aware of these things when I buy products.

[@yakupdinler]

@@robert-janbroer8936 you can not accuse the producers of these straps to have minors working for them in their factories. You have no proof and you can not assume this. If you show me proof that there are minors working in China and Bangladesh strap factories I will apologize otherwise you should...

[@spektrograf]

Agreed with this. The cheap straps could be 100% machine made and packaged-we don't know. If one cares about sustainability and ethical labour practices in sourcing, you will need to purchase predominately from transparent sources. Asket is a great example of that type of business in clothing. I've not seen that level of transparency in NATO straps nor in the luxury goods market. Signals like price, marketing claims, and country of origin aren't reliable markers for sustainability nor ethical practices.

[@zegervanaschvanwijck7749]

Did I already mention that I do not like nato straps? They make your watch top heavy

[@PaulVanUytrecht-nc3yx]

Why talk about 'cheap' straps if you mean inexpensive. It makes perfect sense to me to have a quality (but inexpensive) strap on an expensive watch. I dislike bracelets and leather is not an option for me. I had a grey NATO on my white dial Explorer II and my BB GMT is on a black one. My vintage OMEGA Seamaster 168-022 was on a rubber strap for a while and now looks really good on a navy NATO. All of these straps add a touch of informality which is what I like. I concede though, that the choices for some 'pure' dress watches will be more limited.

[@wolverinescratch]

The original strap is far too expensive to wear looking at you Seiko 5 honda edition

[@zegervanaschvanwijck7749]

Rubber vs siliconen, a big difference

[@alexandarristanovic2495]

So if you save up for a nice watch and get it should stay at home since you can only wear Zara? Talking about child labor for cheap straps is crazy, it’s 2024 and there is a ton if great options to buy straps/bracelets from reputable sources for 20-100$ without paying 6x that for brand name.

[@zegervanaschvanwijck7749]

Orrrr putting cheap watches on expensive straps… go nuts

[@joshuakaplan5726]

RJ you say you don't support children sweatshop clothes yet you wear Nike's, which is notorious for Chinese sweatshop labor.

[@robert-janbroer8936]

Since those reports made it to the public in 2005, Nike has been improving the working conditions. The point is: if a strap cost €1 or even less to purchase, you can wonder about the working conditions of those who produce them. It’s just to make sure one at least ask themselves this question.

[@zegervanaschvanwijck7749]

I know where you are from 😉💪🏻👍🏻

[@2K9s]

Is this a parody?

[@josips4281]

Funny comparing Omega straps to straps made by little Chinese hands when Omega makes the straps in China. Nevertheless there two types of straps I hate: nato and rubber B curved rubber. I have still not seen a single watch that looks good on it.

[@FratelloMagazine]

Do you have any proof these straps are made in China? Omega claims they are not. In the (far) past, certain parts were sourced from there, but not today anymore.

[@josips4281]

@@FratelloMagazine maybe it was the in the past then. I remeber seeing some invoices shared online where it was stated made in China or country of origin China. I was not aware that they changed that.

[@kaiserphoenix01]

"little Chinese hands" sounds abit racist.

[@robert-janbroer8936]

Yeah, sorry, meant to say child labor but couldn't find the words so quickly.

[@kaiserphoenix01]

@@robert-janbroer8936 Yeah im not Chinese but I knew you probably meant something else. Great episode though! Something i've been thinking about as well.

[@MartinIrwin]

How is it racist?

[@watchinout1897]

Great topic, but I can guarantee you would get more clicks if this was 5-7 minutes instead of 32. Give it a shot 😉

[@robert-janbroer8936]

It’s a podcast format, so a lot of people also listen to it on Spotify, Apple Podcast etc. A 5-7 minute podcast doesnt make much sense to us. But we will be picking up watch reviews etc again in short(er) format.

[@theenavybluemonster]

These longer discussion podcasts are great.

[@HeonApple]

Little Chinese hands…?

[@robert-janbroer8936]

Yeah, sorry, meant to say child labor but couldn't find the words so quickly.

[@HeonApple]

@@robert-janbroer8936 ahh I see. Now I understand, no harm done!!