What to get...?

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#121
karly9 said:
Ooh, a croc strap would be ah-mazing! I recall when I was looking at a watch at VCA that the SA said they recommended that you come in each time to change straps. Don't recall it voided any warranty or anything if you did it yourself, or if it was model specific. I also usually change straps or remove links on my other watches on my own, but would definitely make sure to ask about any warranty issue first.

Congrats on your new piece, can't wait to see pics!
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Thank you karly! Yes, the croc straps do look very nice... very posh. The watch would be perfect if they made straps you could change yourself. I don't think it voids any warranty but I would worry about scratching the white gold. Normal small screw drivers (e.g. ones for glasses) would be made from more hardy metals that will likely scratch the gold on contact. I would not hesitate on my Cartier stainless steel watches, etc but not on a full pave white gold watch. Plus I have to change the pave buckle out as well!

Just out of curiosity, do you have a set of watchmaker's tools to change your straps? I'd like to learn more about this!
 
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#122
ShyShy said:
Yes That's the only thing I don't like about the watch. I am assuming you own the charms watch? That watch allows for self changing straps. It's so weird that one watch has it and the other doesn't, even though they offer all these different coloured strap options for the Alhambra watch. Do share with us more details about your watch!
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Oh, I just realised you posted your amazing charms watch on another thread! How gorgeous is it? I usually stick with white gold or platinum but this watch looks way more special in pink gold. I especially love the two rows of diamonds on the bezel. It looks much better than the 3 row pave bezel. Do share which size you got. The pink strap looks so nice with the pink gold.
 
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#124
ShyShy said:
Thank you karly! Yes, the croc straps do look very nice... very posh. The watch would be perfect if they made straps you could change yourself. I don't think it voids any warranty but I would worry about scratching the white gold. Normal small screw drivers (e.g. ones for glasses) would be made from more hardy metals that will likely scratch the gold on contact. I would not hesitate on my Cartier stainless steel watches, etc but not on a full pave white gold watch. Plus I have to change the pave buckle out as well!

Just out of curiosity, do you have a set of watchmaker's tools to change your straps? I'd like to learn more about this!
Click to expand...

I use a set of tiny screwdrivers and mini tools that I must've had since college - no idea where they originally came from. However, they sell jeweler's screwdriver kits on Amazon that seem similar as well as something called a "spring bar tool" online that looks like it would do the trick. I don't own a VCA watch but imagine most interchangeable band watches are similar in that part of their design.
 
#126
ShyShy said:
Oh, I just realised you posted your amazing charms watch on another thread! How gorgeous is it? I usually stick with white gold or platinum but this watch looks way more special in pink gold. I especially love the two rows of diamonds on the bezel. It looks much better than the 3 row pave bezel. Do share which size you got. The pink strap looks so nice with the pink gold.
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Thank you! I prefer the 2 rows of diamonds because it reminds me of the perlee beading. Mine is the mini 25mm size. I am attaching a pic of the mechanism of how the watch straps are interchangeable. This is not my watch but a great pic of the little pins that are pushed in to switch out the straps.

IMG_0545.jpg
 
#127
Not to be able to change the strap by myself is a big bummer for me too. When you choose the strap have in mind that the satin one doesn't last long and they are expensive to replace. The croc lasts 10 plus years.
 
#128
karly9 said:
I use a set of tiny screwdrivers and mini tools that I must've had since college - no idea where they originally came from. However, they sell jeweler's screwdriver kits on Amazon that seem similar as well as something called a "spring bar tool" online that looks like it would do the trick. I don't own a VCA watch but imagine most interchangeable band watches are similar in that part of their design.
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Hmmm... I think I looked into one of those spring bar tools when I bought an hermes cape cod watch ages ago. They later made self changeable straps so I didn't bother getting the tool. I believe the Alhambra watch strap doesn't use a spring system. They looked like little screws to me...
 
#130
ChaneLisette said:
Thank you! I prefer the 2 rows of diamonds because it reminds me of the perlee beading. Mine is the mini 25mm size. I am attaching a pic of the mechanism of how the watch straps are interchangeable. This is not my watch but a great pic of the little pins that are pushed in to switch out the straps.

View attachment 3824770
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Thanks for the pic CL. It looks like the same system that hermes uses for their interchangeable watch straps.
 
#131
Alena21 said:
Not to be able to change the strap by myself is a big bummer for me too. When you choose the strap have in mind that the satin one doesn't last long and they are expensive to replace. The croc lasts 10 plus years.
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Oh really? Thanks for that! Maybe I'll take another look at the croc straps when the watch comes in. Do you own a VCA watch too? :p
 
#132
ChaneLisette said:
Thank you! I prefer the 2 rows of diamonds because it reminds me of the perlee beading. Mine is the mini 25mm size. I am attaching a pic of the mechanism of how the watch straps are interchangeable. This is not my watch but a great pic of the little pins that are pushed in to switch out the straps.

View attachment 3824770
Click to expand...
Just wondering if you could share the colour of your pink strap on your charms watch CL?
 
#133
ShyShy said:
Thanks for the pic CL. It looks like the same system that hermes uses for their interchangeable watch straps.
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Yes, just like the Hermès. My H watch had the old system that needed tools to switch out straps but the new straps fit in to the face and could be switched out
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ShyShy said:
Just wondering if you could share the colour of your pink strap on your charms watch CL?
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The color is dark pink.
 
#134
ShyShy said:
Oh really? Thanks for that! Maybe I'll take another look at the croc straps when the watch comes in. Do you own a VCA watch too? :p
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No, my Chopard has a satin strap
ShyShy said:
Oh really? Thanks for that! Maybe I'll take another look at the croc straps when the watch comes in. Do you own a VCA watch too? :p
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I have also a satin strap on one of my PP diamond watches. Same thing the strap lasts me about 2-3 years max and it is very expensive to buy a new one. Also can't self change it. The croc straps last me more than 10 yrs.
I don't own VCA watch because I like the super expensive Poetic Complications and it can't justify spending so much money on one watch only
 
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#135
Alena21 said:
No, my Chopard has a satin strap

I have also a satin strap on one of my PP diamond watches. Same thing the strap lasts me about 2-3 years max and it is very expensive to buy a new one. Also can't self change it. The croc straps last me more than 10 yrs.
I don't own VCA watch because I like the super expensive Poetic Complications and it can't justify spending so much money on one watch only
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Oh I see. I have several other watches with satin and croc straps too. So far so good... although I tend to request for deployment buckles so I don't keep bending the ends of the strap
 
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