[Quick Release] Padded Leather - Black

[Quick Release] Padded Leather - Black

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An expensive lesson learnedTwo precursors to this review. I received outstanding customer service from [Name Removed]. Thank you [Name Removed]. The second is that this review only concerns the quick action, leather watch bands.
This is an edit 21/11/2024: I have searched through many, many reviews of Strapify and I have yet to find one instance of a refund. I would suggest a prospective customer give serious consideration as to whether patronise this business.

I ordered two bands from Strapify. Both 18mm wide at the lugs. Both leather. One black with contrasting white stitching ($59) and the other an antique brown $(79). Both had the quick release/install function. Strapify, according to [Name Removed] does not sell standard leather watch bands.

Firstly, I received both bands promptly however like many other customers of Strapify I received the wrong band. All of my vintage watches have 18mm width lugs. According to the review page I had ordered a 10mm black band with contrasting white stitching. I took no notice of this as I didn’t at anytime see a 10mm option and remember the band widths were from 18mm up on the specific band own page. I also ticked the 18mm selection criteria box. Why the website gave me a criteria of 10mm I do not know. It appears to be a constant in the reviews that customers order/receive the wrong bands.

I promptly informed Strapify that I had received the wrong width band and I returned it as instructed (cost $12 for tracking) to Strapify. [Name Removed] at Strapify customer service sent me the correct size band (free).

The next problem was that the brown band installed to my vintage Omega after just three wears tore across the thin strip of leather left when the aperture that allows the quick action lever that actuates the spring bar to protrude through the band, is cut into the spring bar tube. I believe this is a weakness in the band as this area is vulnerable to any sideways torque on the band and this is where the band tore. I reported this to Strapify with photographic evidence and requested [Name Removed] to send me a replacement watch band WITHOUT the quick action option (no aperture cut into the spring bar tube). [Name Removed] replied that Strapify did not sell leather bands without the quick action option, hence no solid leather spring bar tube. I then requested a refund as the tearing of the band with only three wears and no significant actions causing pressure on the band, caused me to lose faith in the reliability of the band. [Name Removed] responded that I was not eligible for a refund and according to consumer legislation he is correct.

[Name Removed] sent me a replacement band with the quick action option and included some standard spring bars. I removed the quick action spring bars and installed the standard spring bars but this did not solve the problem of the weak area of the band where the thin strip of leather left when the quick action aperture is cut into the spring bar tube. I will not install this band to my vintage Omega nor any of my other watches. I have a $79 watch band that I’m scared will fail and hence is just gathering dust in a draw. I fear it will again tear and I will risk a watch falling and being damaged or worse losing the watch altogether. The black band on my Seiko I check before any wearing or if I knock or catch the watch on something. Currently the band only displays very minor signs of wear. Makes me wonder if the two bands are made to the same standard or the same quality of materials even through the brown band is $20 more expensive.

I compared the quality of the Strapify bands with other bands I own. The Strapify bands are mid-range expensive and due to the comparison, I would suggest are below the quality one would expect at this price point, keeping mind these are not OEM (original equipment manufacturer). All up with returning the wrong band this purchase has cost me approx $150). The leather creases easily and lacks the suppleness of a quality watch band. The inside diameter of the spring bar tubes on the brown leather band are a bit larger than the spring bars and makes for a sloppy fit. The black band spring bar tubes are snug. The black band is comfortable and does not irritate the skin. The stitching appears competent but the buckle is of mediocre quality. The keeper bands appear robust but only time will tell. I believe the quick release/install option leaves the watch band vulnerable to tearing.

I will not be purchasing from this supplier again as for the price point I do expect a higher standard of quality. Also I have little faith in the bands in reference to the tearing at the thin leather strip between the edge of the quick action aperture and the edge of the band.

[Quick Release] Padded Leather - Black

The difference a quality leather strap for comfort, wearability and let’s not forget the looks has blown me away.. compared to cheap ones I’ve bought previously elsewhere these are a home run. the quick release is so handy and the installation of the clasp done for me was a nice bonus

Doesn’t give me a rash like the one supplied by Garmin