Original Strap or Other?

Bluefoam

I wear a Tag Heuer Monaco Calibre 12 which needs a new strap... Should I go for an original Tag strap or another?

I also want to switch from a croc strap to a perforated stap like this... Any thoughts?





Any idea of the cost of an original strap?

bogmanfan

Original strap will be stupidly expensive. Better to go for one from a decent strapmaker like Hirsch. It's rumoured that they make the straps for many other brands anyway! Just check that it will fit a deployant, and you can swap over your Tag clasp.

CarltonBrowne

Agreed - while I will normally put the effort into sourcing original, signed buckles and bracelets I could never justify (or afford) the cost of an OEM strap at anywhere near full price. Camille Fournet make the JLC straps and Glashütte Original conceded during a visit last year that theirs are made by Hirsch. The Cousins Bellini range are good for the money and I've recently had a custom alligator made by Peter Watchacc in Bangkok which I'm very happy with.

I was at a TZ-UK event a couple of weeks ago and somebody showed me a £6.50 Cousins strap on an Omega Speedmaster that was virtually indistinguishable from the Omega-produced item. This thread reminds me that I must follow that one up.

Bluefoam

Thanks for the feedback guys. I saw this site recommended on watchuseek http://www.watchstrapworld.com/tag-heuer-monaco-c-15_3/black-sports-perforated-strap-to-fit-tag-heuer-monaco-models-starting-cw21-ww21-p-91
I need one that will fit my clasp & not a buckle

CarltonBrowne

Having mistakenly purchased a strap designed for an Omega deployant in error I agree that you need to do a bit more due diligence. Presumably you have the measurements of your existing strap so you can check these against any likely contenders before you buy? Otherwise a quick google seems to return to the site that you've originally quoted.

Bluefoam

I just checked with a local jeweller (not the tag heuer shop cos they're expensive) and it's €110 as compared to the fake which is about €50. Plus shipping will take about 30 days to this part of the world. So I'll bite the bullet and order the original. Thanks for all the input

Bluefoam

Even better news. I went in to order the strap today & the price is less by another €30...

CarltonBrowne

In which case it would be rude not to. Well done and please post pictures.

Bluefoam

Strap has arrived and is fitted. Cost me €90 and took two weeks to arrive. It is an original Tag Rally... I really like it on this watch

Sorry for the poor photo: