Silicone rubber strap with square holes

[swanbourne]

Having failed to find one from any supplier, I'm thinking of getting the strap shown below specially made in 20 & 22mm. It won't be silly money but I have to commit to a lot and also pay for the tool/mould, which is 1200 euros for each size.

Much interest?



Eddie

[Nalu]

Yes! As long as it's got some thickness to it - something appropriate to the lug size and head weight of watches like the DN and the PRS-50. One of the downsides of the original O7 silicone strap was that it was too floppy.

Is it possible to get a non-tapered version? I can see where one would want a 24 to taper to 20 or 22 at the buckle, but I'd prefer 20 and 22mm straps to not taper.

Is the manufacturer offering silicone only, or is urethane an option? Urethane is more comfortable IMO and the original Omega Isofrane was a type of closed-microcellular urethane foam.

[patrick]

The non tapering version would be a winner for me too.

[Seamaster73]

I'm not sure about the detailing (especially the horizontal lines on the buckle-end piece).

[draz]

Interested. I think a gentle taper would be good for 22+ mm size, but I'd be interested in a non-tapered 20mm. As Nalu pointed out, thickness is going to be crucial.

[VinceR]

I like it, but not sure which watch to put it on though!

[mr1973]

Like it too!

[CPF]

i'd buy one

and i quite like a taper, slightly

[sjedwardz]

I'd buy one as long as its nice and supple.

I'm not sure what watch to put it on either - how about designing a new watch that it will work with Eddie?

[cbh]

I'd take one in black and blue please.

[CADMAN]

Definatley interested in 20mm version

[Baden H]

yes yes yes in 20mm :bounce: :D

[swanbourne]

Yes! As long as it's got some thickness to it - something appropriate to the lug size and head weight of watches like the DN and the PRS-50. One of the downsides of the original O7 silicone strap was that it was too floppy.

Is it possible to get a non-tapered version? I can see where one would want a 24 to taper to 20 or 22 at the buckle, but I'd prefer 20 and 22mm straps to not taper.

Is the manufacturer offering silicone only, or is urethane an option? Urethane is more comfortable IMO and the original Omega Isofrane was a type of closed-microcellular urethane foam.

Can you show me of an example of a strap made from urethane Colin? It's not a problem to get it made thicker because they'll make the new mould to the specification I give them. I thought the original Isofrane had a problem with cracking?

Eddie

[pinjol]

I'm also interested. The strap looks great!

[Ben265]

Interesting strap, will the length be the same as the 70s retro strap?
Having a small wrist, I would prefer a bit shorter

Benoît

[jesper451]

I´m interested but would also prefer a shorter strap. But looks great. :mrgreen:

[Nalu]

My memory makes these too supple and light to be solid PU, so I assume they're some sort of PU foam.







The latest Ocean7 straps are also PU, but I didn't think you'd want me posting photos here 8) They are in 24mm only of course.

I think there was a problem with chipping and cracking as the Isofranes aged, as with any other polymer (I've had old Citizen A'land rubber straps break into pieces after a few years). I do know there was a problem with losing a/o tearing keepers. I would like to see keepers with rounded/radiused edges, again as with the old Isofranes. The rectangular keepers with right angle edges on the modern straps are irritating with prolonged wear.

[CADMAN]

Just want to echo some of the previous replies regarding the strap length, not too long please!

[bambam]

I'd want one! Probably 20 or 22mm.

Look cool. Any idea on likely price?

[Grath]

I'm not sure what watch to put it on either - how about designing a new watch that it will work with Eddie?

I think he already has. I think this would look great on the PRS-17 or the PRS-50.

[CPF]

I'm not sure what watch to put it on either - how about designing a new watch that it will work with Eddie?

I think he already has. I think this would look great on the PRS-17 or the PRS-50.

Would look pretty banging on a 50 yeah

[pinjol]

Interested. I think a gentle taper would be good for 22+ mm size, but I'd be interested in a non-tapered 20mm. As Nalu pointed out, thickness is going to be crucial.

That would make the strap cheaper, when 20 mm and 22 mm use same 20mm buckle. :)
You need two different moulds anyway.

[CPF]

Interested. I think a gentle taper would be good for 22+ mm size, but I'd be interested in a non-tapered 20mm. As Nalu pointed out, thickness is going to be crucial.

That would make the strap cheaper, when 20 mm and 22 mm use same 20mm buckle. :)
You need two different moulds anyway.

Dunno about that - i'd imagine these being ordered in rather than being specially made.

[pinjol]

Dunno about that - i'd imagine these being ordered in rather than being specially made.

(...) I'm thinking of getting the strap shown below specially made in 20 & 22mm. It won't be silly money but I have to commit to a lot and also pay for the tool/mould, which is 1200 euros for each size.

So I think 22mm strap tappering to 20mm and a 20mm strap without tappering, both with same 20mm buckle, would be the cheapest project.

[swanbourne]

Dunno about that - i'd imagine these being ordered in rather than being specially made.

(...) I'm thinking of getting the strap shown below specially made in 20 & 22mm. It won't be silly money but I have to commit to a lot and also pay for the tool/mould, which is 1200 euros for each size.

So I think 22mm strap tappering to 20mm and a 20mm strap without tappering, both with same 20mm buckle, would be the cheapest project.

It won't make any difference to the price, the moulds will cost the same whether they taper or not and a 20mm buckle costs the same as a 22mm buckle.

Eddie

[ralphy]

Package it with a DN GMT and I'm in, irrespective of taper. :wink:

R

[CPF]

Ja, i was referring to the buckle.

[MarkEg]

I think the strap you are showing is the Omega one?

I have one on my PloProf (24mm), personally I found the inner ridges irritating (you can see them in the lower photo) - and got rid of them by using wet and dry paper, to make the inside of the strap smooth. I now use this strap all the time and sold the mesh that came with the watch.

I also tried an 07 copy and found it was too soft/bendy and a bit thin, so I agree with others that thickness is important.

To answer your question - Yes I would buy in 20 and 22mm if you get the thickness right, and keep the length the same as the Omega.. shorter would not work for me.

I can take some detailed measurements if you want?

Best regards

Mark

[Nalu]

I just bought an original 20mm isofrane, should have it in hand in a couple of weeks and will post photos.

[Ming Thein]

Yes, but shorter and without those silly holes which you can't put the tang through :P

[pinjol]

I just bought an original 20mm isofrane, should have it in hand in a couple of weeks and will post photos.

Is it an original Omega 20mm isofrane strap? Source?

[Andre.]

This will not go a long way towards your EUR 1200 set up costs, but I will definitely buy at least one in 20mm, maybe two

[patrick]

This will not go a long way towards your EUR 1200 set up cost

It might Andre, he has'nt told us the selling price yet. :)

[fivelittlefish]

I'd be in for a couple of 20mm ones...

[Timelord]

Eddie,

Excellent idea for vintage divers. :D In a range of sizes, they would make a very good alternative to modern silicon Tropic and your retro strap as fitted to the PRS-50. I would especially be looking for 20mm as you don't sell the PRS-50 strap in that size.

I'd be in for a whole bunch of them.

If you make them, I will buy at least one in 22mm. My vote would be to make it out of natural rubber. I find it is much more comfortable to wear than silicone once it is broken in.

[patrick]

Any idea of timescale Eddie?

[Grath]

Any idea of timescale Eddie?

Don't you know what answer you're going to get?

[patrick]

:D

[Nalu]

I just bought an original 20mm isofrane, should have it in hand in a couple of weeks and will post photos.

Is it an original Omega 20mm isofrane strap? Source?

Yes, Omega. Isofrane is Omega's proprietary term. Source: private sale.

[CADMAN]

If this one does go ahead perhaps there could be 2 different lengths, one to suit the skinny wristed like myself & one for the larger wristed, i find that most dive type straps were originally designed to be worn over wet suits & are therfore too long in normal use for those of us with a smaller wrist. If these were produced in a shorter length I would definatley be in for at least 2.

[swanbourne]

Two different lengths means two different moulds and two setting-up costs. :(

Eddie

[draz]

Make it long, but make the holes fit smaller wrists too. That way, a sharp knife solves the problem for those of us with baby wrists.

[CPF]

He's not wrong, I've done it on a rubber strap. works a treat.

[Nalu]

Two different lengths means two different moulds and two setting-up costs. :(

Eddie

If you make two straps, a 22/20 and a 20/20, you can make a 20mm extension piece for the cost of only one more mould. Still rather expensive I suppose, but it would make for a proper dive watch strap!

[hogthrob]

Could you get a longer one made, but with trimmable ends?

[swanbourne]

As usual, it's impossible to incorporate all requests in one design if you want to use it for its intended purpose. Besides, the batteries wouldn't fit.

Eddie

[Baden H]

Eddie I'm easy, make it as black and as long as you want and my good friend stanley will sort out the rest 8)

a good old fnar fnar might sound good at the end of that smut :D

"nudge nudge wink wink say no more"

[JonW]

Sounds great Eddie, I wear my 20mm Isofrane on my LV, its perfect imho. The beauty of the Isofrane is that it had some thickness as well as being flexible. I'll take a couple of each when theyre done ta :)

[patrick]

:bounce:If I ask the question "any idea when" I think I know the answer. :)