Help needed re. brass/bronze pre-V buckles

[mycroft]

I think I could use some advice on something from my knowledgeable fellow tz-ers here.

I placed an order last night for a new brass Marazen Layan - this one in fact...



There's only one thing I'm not keen on - the complete kit comes with three straps but they all have brushed SS buckles which obviously don't match the watch case. So I'd like to find a good source of replacement brass/bronze pre-V buckles.

So far I've found a Moscow-based source on e-bay, although they do seem rather pricey. Does anyone have any feedback on them and alternatively does anyone else have any other good ideas? All suggestions gratefully received.

Many thanks,

Simon

[Junior]

I had the same problem last year and bought a couple of these (which may be the ones you are also looking at):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/22mm-Bronze-...item3f20d75c94

They seem to be well made, although very chunky (I had a little difficulty getting the screw bar to fit through my strap at first) - and I imagine that the bronze is the 'real thing', although I haven't chemically analysed it!! I have also bought a bronze buckle from Benarus (very nice, but with 'Benarus' engraved on it), and have heard some good reports on the Olivier Watch Company buckles, although I haven't seen them in real life:

http://olivierwatches.com/bronze-buckles/

Or, if you just want the 'colour' without the potential patina, you could try something like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2809710079...84.m1423.l2649

I think that the pricing of the solid bronze buckles is about the same all round (US$50 to US$80 plus postage, etc.) so it's whatever takes your fancy really, I suppose.

[Kingstepper]

.... and have heard some good reports on the Olivier Watch Company buckles, although I haven't seen them in real life:

http://olivierwatches.com/bronze-buckles/

....

I was going to suggest these but there is a warning about Oliver here http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?255958.

[WatchScout]

You can make your own or have one of mine, if you like the look.

Standard buckle + blow torch equals these distressed buckles of which not two are alike.

Quite easy to do. If I can do it, you can do it.

I happen to quite like the look and am currently wearing a Kampfschwimmer with a sewn in buckle, which have been treated thus.

It wont match the finish of your watch case exactly, but it will look better than the standard buckle.

[mycroft]

As usual - you always get more (and better) advice here than you expect; so...

- Not going down the Benarus path as it appears they are not currently selling the bronze buckles on their own.

- Not going near Olivier with a bargepole on the basis of the stories that are currently circulating about them.

- I'd really like to start off with a watch case and buckle that acquire patina at roughly the same rate and in roughly the same way (yes I know that brass & bronze won't age in quite the same way), so I'm going to forgo the blowtorch approach for the time being.

Which leaves the Moscow route as the one I think I'll be taking, to be honest. At that price I'm definitely only buying one, though ^^.

Many thanks to Junior, Kingstepper and WatchScout.

Simon

[shadowman]

'Simona' has some nice bronze screw in types, but they're not cheap.

http://www.distefanostraps.com/prodo...idcategoriab=7

And Rolko who you have already discovered.

[WatchScout]

As usual - you always get more (and better) advice here than you expect; so...

- Not going down the Benarus path as it appears they are not currently selling the bronze buckles on their own.

- Not going near Olivier with a bargepole on the basis of the stories that are currently circulating about them.

- I'd really like to start off with a watch case and buckle that acquire patina at roughly the same rate and in roughly the same way (yes I know that brass & bronze won't age in quite the same way), so I'm going to forgo the blowtorch approach for the time being.

Which leaves the Moscow route as the one I think I'll be taking, to be honest. At that price I'm definitely only buying one, though ^^.

Many thanks to Junior, Kingstepper and WatchScout.

Simon

No problem, I respect a man who turns down free stuff!

More seriously, I fully understand why you'd want 'the real thing,' as the buckles I have, would only be a stopgap measure and most likely wont be mistaken for anything else, than what they are; buckles, that somebody took a blow torch to

[Kingstepper]

As a relatively cheap (£23) alternative I've just seen these http://www.watchobsession.co.uk/Watc...-Various-Sizes which are 'Cerakote' coated in a bronze colour.

Cerakote is a hard coating used in the firearms industry.

[mycroft]

WatchScout I'm embarrassed - I didn't read your post properly and had not realised you were offering me one for free. My apologies.

If the offer's still open I'd love to take a look at one against the watch - obviously I won't be able to do that until it arrives. If you're happy to send me one I'd be very happy to make a donation to the Fundraiser if that's OK with you?

I'll PM you tomorrow.

Simon

[WatchScout]

WatchScout I'm embarrassed - I didn't read your post properly and had not realised you were offering me one for free. My apologies.

If the offer's still open I'd love to take a look at one against the watch - obviously I won't be able to do that until it arrives. If you're happy to send me one I'd be very happy to make a donation to the Fundraiser if that's OK with you?

I'll PM you tomorrow.

Simon

No problem, Simon. You are welcome to this unused buckle - donation or not. In a previous incarnation, it was a stainless steel 24mm buckle. Well, its obviously still 24mm. Im hazy on the origin, but think its from Panatime.

[mycroft]

That looks extraordinary - and I've just had confirmation by e-mail that the brown leather strap it's coming with is parallel i.e. 24/24. So yes I'd love it please. I'll PM you my address now.

I'll also put a donation on the Fundraiser as promised.

Cheers, Simon

[WatchScout]

The buckle is on its way to you.

I have buckles from Strap Culture, Heroic and several others - I believe the buckle Im sending you is a Panatime buckle, but dont hold me to it, as I have several in that style.

Anyway, its a mint unused buckle.

Please keep us updated.

[mycroft]

Thanks. I've had confirmation today that the watch has been despatched, so when everything comes together I'll post photos.

Simon