The TROPIC (type) strap thread

For classic, retro and homage dive watches the TROPIC strap has all but disappeared in favor of metal bracelets, leather and the now even OEM fitted Nato/G10.

The TROPIC (type) was however THE diver strap of the sixties and seventies. They were simply EVERYWHERE and came in various guises, the 'basket weave' being the best known.
They came in white, blue, red, etc.,black, black, black and ... black.

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTA2MVgxNj...ZV!~~60_57.JPG

It was the OEM choice of many brands from Blancpain to Rolex:

http://home.watchprosite.com/img/wat...ge.2437768.jpg

After 25 years out of production originals are still fairly easy to find if not all that easy in every size or with curved edge lug ends.
There are also easy to find modern reproductions.

I would say; they are an authentic choice for a classic, retro, homage dive watch and are relatively cheap so... show yours.

Petrus, I have both the weave style and big hole style in 20mm black with straight ends, both original.

I personally prefer straight to curved, but it's a personal choice. I've changed one of the buckles, as they are a touch flimsy IMHO, but my favourite strap, by far.

The weave is fitted to my vintage 6105, but I can't find a pic.

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps509bbde3.jpg

I have quite a few in various guises, I'm not that keen on them as a strap, but I am a stickler for originality on my vintage divers...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JasonM

I have quite a few in various guises, I'm not that keen on them as a strap, but I am a stickler for originality on my vintage divers...

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Do share! 'Quite a few in various guises' would make your collection just about a reference guide!!

Thanks Burnsey.
A bit unusual on a Speedmaster but hey, that large hole one looks real good and is period.

Im not a big rubber type fan............Must say though, that "big hole strap" ! from the post by Burnsey looks nice.............would look lovely on my Seiko 6105 Im thinking?!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by valleywatch

Im not a big rubber type fan............Must say though, that "big hole strap" ! from the post by Burnsey looks nice.............would look lovely on my Seiko 6105 Im thinking?!

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http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Ri0yvQuq0II/TE...0/P1060815.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Huertecilla

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Ri0yvQuq0II/TE...0/P1060815.jpg

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Hmmmmmmmmmn!

Im thinking now........

maybe rubber isn't that bad after all?!

Lovely lot of watches there.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...psd983b0b1.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps42f67057.jpg

I've got a couple of genuine Tropics but only ever fitted one to my Bulova Snorkel.

Not the greatest of pictures, can't even tell if it's a straight or curved end strap, but one picture does show the 'rounded' keeper of the genuine Tropics as opposed to the 'squared off' keeper of the "types".

http://i1029.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4b0802b0.jpg

http://i1029.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7203f0ed.jpg


Really need to get one fitted and tested on my 6105-8110, especially as the replica Waffle started to split last time I wore it.
May work slightly better on the 6105-8000 though, which I perceive to be a little lighter.

Doxa 300T is another potential and heavy test. Building up a list of things to try over the Christmas break. :snowman:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Huertecilla

Do share! 'Quite a few in various guises' would make your collection just about a reference.

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Ahh, sorry, don't get too excited, I meant sizes rather than styles I'm afraid..

Ah well, guises, sizes...

Cousteau team 1965 and for the next 10 years:

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...1h17m05s72.png

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...nap-805050.png

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...h/PICT0016.jpg

In the LIP brochure:

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...pblancpain.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...1h04m24s93.png

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTA2NVgxNj...Ub5D7/$_57.JPG
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTA2NVgxNj...Ub5EF/$_57.JPG
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTQ0MFgxND...Ub5EN/$_57.JPG
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTA2NVgxNj...Ub5ES/$_57.JPG

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...psc9a447e1.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...psd7573f59.jpg

or the cool+ factor:


http://i.ebayimg.com/t/TROPIC-19mm-/...V1w~~60_57.JPG

The first model

http://www.thewatchquote.com/mesIMG/imgStd/30726.jpg
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...p-469399-1.png
http://www.thewatchquote.com/mesIMG/imgStd/30725.jpg

Coincidentally I just last week decided to track down one of these and see what the fuss is about. Now that I've seen these I'm really looking forward to giving it a go on one of my divers.

Anybody have experience with the modern tropic style variants? Are they any good?

I wear this one...

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...%20Fathoms.jpg

Thanks for sharing this wonderful vintage piece of time. And I mean the latter in two ways.

Yes, the TROPIC is the only one for it really.

Just noticed that Meranom has the 1967 rubber strap in stock.

Not TROPIC but very much intended as a modern homage to it:
http://www.meranom.com/image/cache/d...ap-600x900.jpg

All it needs is a different buckle as the original is .... not worth any mention.

For the classic models they have
http://www.meranom.com/image/cache/d...01-600x900.jpg

I wasn't even particularly aware of what Tropic / "tropical" actually meant, but it's been pointed out to me that the Vostok rubber strap that comes on the Neptune is one:

http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5ea0b909.jpg

I'm currently auctioning this one off for the fundraiser.

Sorry about the rubbish photo, I'll try to take a better photo of the strap later. It has a basket-weave texture, which you can just sort of make out here.

i've got a few, don't often wear them to be honest, but do feel they complete the look for a vintage diver. couple of pics and a catalogue scan of the Certina showing it originally available on what looks like a tropic.

http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/...0/IMG_1085.jpg

http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/...0/IMG_1090.jpg

http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/...0/IMG_1087.jpg

http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/...83411973-1.jpg

saw an orange one on ebay once, never seen another...

And that Blancpain above... wow :hypnotysed:

Some great pictures Cilla…. Oh for a deepstar.... I briefly owned an vintage Aquastar for a short space of time... And the more colourful version of the LIP... Both would have looked great on a Tropic...

Deepstar are very difficult to get hold of now and most that have come up have been in really poor condition and really really expensive.... One day maybe?!!!

Here's one of mine, 20mm Star:

http://www.timesofplenty.com/otd/2014-12-22_021sm.jpg

a 22mm:

http://www.timesofplenty.com/otd/2014-05-28_168sm.jpg

Yep Tropics are ace but 20mm ones are now not that cheap

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps3544f358.jpg


http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/p...psef982119.jpg

Thanks for sharing guys.

I have been wearing the period after market curved end on my HR6538 and it is imo THE best suited for it and am particularly pleased that the strap allows for the original thick shoulderless bars to be used.

The overall effect is way greater than I could have anticipated. It changes the watch from just another stainless steel dive watch to a striking period homage.

The rubber is quite pliable when it gets to wrist temperature.

These chaps do an affordable tropic like strap.

http://www.watch-band-center.com/wat...20mm-blac.html

http://i.imgur.com/rhdBWxNl.jpg

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Originally Posted by Bonesey

These chaps do an affordable tropic like strap.

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Thanks for the link.

Only straight edge though :-(

I find that a huge difference on some watches. On my HR6538 the straight edge is simply a skinny strap on a watch. The same with curved edge suddenly ' integrates' with the bezel and dial.

Sorry for being late to the party... I take quite a interest in having the correct period strap for my vintage watches, i very rarely wear them on them though, on the whole, Isofrane aside they are just not very comfortable...
I have below pictures of what i have got so far, I am loath to call them a collection though....
The first group is the Tropics, from left to right are Tropic 2000 , 20 mm these are nice, and thick so give some heft to the watch, I think they look good too... Then the Big Hole 20mm for my Tudor Sub and then 2 19mm ones of slightly different pattern.
Then the vintage Isofranes, including a blue NOS one again, for my blue Sub. Sadly one of the black 20mm ones was shaved down to 19mm by the previous owner.
Lastly some Seiko GL831....
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/63...661/BwOwpU.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/58...903/8aRJ1N.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/63...673/gjt73z.jpg

I love a Tropic

Got a few 20mm big hole ones

Also got an nos one which matches my Blue Jacky Ickx

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...psa85e1abd.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...psd930fb45.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JasonM

Sorry for being late to the party... I take quite a interest in having the correct period strap for my vintage watches, i very rarely wear them on them though, on the whole, Isofrane aside they are just not very comfortable...
I have below pictures of what i have got so far, I am loath to call them a collection though....

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Well, let me do it then: thanks for sharing your collection!

Finally here my homage set:

http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Foto360-FGFZXGSN.jpg

I have an 'issue' with Tropic straps....

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...ps1ea904a6.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...psef3557d8.jpg

some fab pics here, what a great thread :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ed335d

I have an 'issue' with Tropic straps....

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LOVE the OEM buckles on some!

Did you source them OEM or from say India?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Huertecilla

LOVE the OEM buckles on some!

Did you source them OEM or from say India?

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The Heuer buckle is OEM (but not vintage). The Rolex one was from a UK seller who stated it was genuine, but I have my doubts.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ed335d

The Heuer buckle is OEM (but not vintage). The Rolex one was from a UK seller who stated it was genuine, but I have my doubts.

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It looks a GREAT detail touch whatever and I am sure it makes no practical difference whether it is from 440, 316 or 904 steel.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Huertecilla

It looks a GREAT detail touch whatever and I am sure it makes no practical difference whether it is from 440, 316 or 904 steel.

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No practical difference or otherwise; material composition hadn't crossed my mind whatsoever.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ed335d

No practical difference or otherwise; material composition hadn't crossed my mind whatsoever.

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Your 'Rolex' Tropic keeps bugging me.
It looks so much better than the plain inox one but there is NO WAY I wll put any OEM watch brand on my homage. That would shoot the whole unbranded thing in the foot.
Still; the plain original one looks soooo skimpy.

So, I have decide to get a Hirsch branded one. The 'H' fitting in neatly.
Problem solved one would think.
NOPE!
Now I am wondering about steel or gold. If two tone were available I'd go for that as it repeats the steel/gilt of the head and dial.
OCD does not cover it....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Huertecilla

Your 'Rolex' Tropic keeps bugging me.
It looks so much better than the plain inox one but there is NO WAY I wll put any OEM watch brand on my homage. That would shoot the whole unbranded thing in the foot.
Still; the plain original one looks soooo skimpy.

So, I have decide to get a Hirsch branded one. The 'H' fitting in neatly.
Problem solved one would think.
NOPE!
Now I am wondering about steel or gold. If two tone were available I'd go for that as it repeats the steel/gilt of the head and dial.
OCD does not cover it....

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Having the branded buckle is a nice touch, that in reality is only recognized by one person (outside watch forums)!

I'm sure you could find a nice buckle to match the head :biggrin-new:

Thread resurrection but I thought it worthwhile as there seem to be a number of new(ish) Tropic style straps out there.

Uncle Seiko has very good reviews and seems closest to the original from USA at $39
https://www.uncleseiko.com/store/p83...ous_Sizes.html

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4446/2...f7b268_b_d.jpg

The TROPIC Watch Strap revamped by JOSEPH BONNIE from France at €35
http://www.josephbonnie.com/en/blog/...trap-silicone/

http://forums.watchuseek.com/attachm...5&d=1509876203

and then our own Watch Gecko by Bonetto Cinturrini at £28

https://www.watchgecko.com/zuludiver...bber-strap.php

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4419/...8e92cb63_b.jpg


Very good comparison of the Uncle Seiko and Watch Gecko here http://forums.watchuseek.com/f21/unc...w-4567389.html

I think the Uncle Seiko is the pick of the bunch, but I fear at $39 +$13 shipping, VAT and PO handling fee is likely to make it quite expensive. Pity.

Cousins sell a cheap and cheerful Tropic strap. I have one on an old Silvana and I think it looks the part. Very comfortable, but both keepers float, which is a bit annoying.

The original mid 60s Tropic has a raised 1720 on the end of the strap and a simple "Stainless Steel" on the buckle - these I believe were the first of the Tropics.