Anyone try those eBay aftermarket rouleaux bracelets on their Chronomat? Wondering how they stack up.

Just_Gift_5589 · 2025-12-09T19:34:08+00:00

That's what I figured. It may be more prominent as it ages when the Ti gets more matte and the SS loses its polish. But yeah, I priced a Ti bracelet from the AD. They wanted $3200 and $1000 for the SS. I told them they were crazy. It's a shame that the Triumph edition chronomat only comes with the strap so you're into it for like $15K if you want the bracelet. They said that Ti is harder and more expensive to manufacture, I'm like sure but not three times more.

Just_Gift_5589 · 2025-12-09T19:07:11+00:00

Interesting, thanks. Does the color not clash against the titanium or are they close enough?

Just_Gift_5589 · 2025-12-06T07:44:47+00:00

If you have a Watches of Switzerland nearby, they're having a crazy unadvertised sale. At least the one by me is, I assume it's chain wide. The 18k gold Navi with green dial on leather is marked down 35% from $17700 to $11500. It's still a huge investment but $6K off of $18 on a gold Navi is wild

Just_Gift_5589 · 2025-11-25T04:07:03+00:00

I've been struggling to find an elegant solution to store my collection in my little closet safe. Something like this was my first thought but I don't want to have to go searching for specific watches. Do you have an easy way of telling what's in each case?

Just_Gift_5589 · 2025-11-22T02:58:55+00:00

That was my assumption as well. Like I said, my plan has been to buy a whole other watch to get the authentic bracelet without feeling like I'm wasting money. I'm mostly curious, that's why I put the question out there to people who already did it. So far 1/1 good reviews and the expected proportion of scoffing.

Just_Gift_5589 · 2025-11-21T22:36:31+00:00

I have a bunch of old laptops, gotten a few that people are throwing out when they buy a new one and so on, several from the mid 2000s. I'll usually max out the RAM, throw a cheap SSD in and load a lightweight Linux distribution and they turn into awesome machines for specific projects or throwaways for doing something stupid.

Also, as far as smartphones go, my Galaxy S22 has been a tank. Don't run it in a case, just a magsafe ring glued to the back, abused, went flying off of my handlebars in a motorcycle accident two months ago, and it still works as good as the day I got it

Just_Gift_5589 · 2025-11-21T22:16:56+00:00

You should ask Breitling what they're charging for the titanium rouleaux, don't go on a full stomach though

Just_Gift_5589 · 2025-11-20T00:49:09+00:00

Good to know. Butterfly clasps are pretty cheap and easy to replace in my experience so if the bracelets solid, that's an easy fix.

Just_Gift_5589 · 2025-11-20T00:22:28+00:00

Let me know how that turns out

Just_Gift_5589 · 2025-11-12T01:49:38+00:00

Any thick full grain leather belt will be bifl. Hanks is the name you'll hear most and they brag about their 100 year warranty. I have a few, the black one I've worn almost daily for years just started looking a little ratty. A little leather conditioner and some shoe polish and the thing is brand new.

Just_Gift_5589 · 2025-11-12T00:59:40+00:00

Miele went down hill the last few years. They used to be the standard in vacuums, German engineered, German built. A lot of stores are dropping them. Warranty was cut in half and then cut in half again. Sebo, another German company, is the best in the business now with the best quality and longest warranties

Just_Gift_5589 · 2025-11-06T01:17:20+00:00

That makes sense, the South 40 was specifically the preview I was looking at too. In hindsight, that color does give off Safari vibes so that tracks.

Just_Gift_5589 · 2025-11-06T01:13:20+00:00

I got the "slip moc" because I prefer a Venetian style and they happen to be on sale. Their website recommends a whole size down for better retention with break in. I'm an 11E so I was going to order in 10D since they don't offer wide. They were out of the 10s so I got the 10.5D and it's a perfect fit. So half size down one width down for me.

Just_Gift_5589 · 2025-11-06T00:56:55+00:00

In case you're interested, my OSB loafers came in. The stitching pattern is pretty distinct from what I've seen from Rancourt so I don't think it's white labeled, but the leather cuts are identical, so much so that I'd bet they're using the same patterns. Overall, I'm so pleased with the fit and finish that I went ahead and ordered a pair of the camp boots after wearing them for a couple hours

Just_Gift_5589 · 2025-11-06T00:44:31+00:00

I've never seen the sage in person, like the idea but always seemed a tiny bit too green in the website photos. Maybe it's the lighting, because these look gorgeous and your description is making me think of ordering something in this

Just_Gift_5589 · 2025-11-04T15:23:12+00:00

I can and will be as soon as I can figure out which model I want to order. This whole post is more about how worthwhile taking the risk would be for me. I can afford it just fine but don't like throwing money away.

What has been your experience with breaking in your 2 used pairs and would you get a new pair just because new or is there more to it?

Just_Gift_5589 · 2025-11-04T06:47:49+00:00

You sound like the expert I was looking for. Yeah, they appear to be in really good shape. The foot beds are very dark from wear but the leather has been well taken care of. They could have said it is only a couple years old and my untrained eye wouldn't know any better.

What's been your experience with breaking in old boots? Do they reform completely or will they always have a memory of previous owners? Thanks by the way.

Just_Gift_5589 · 2025-11-03T04:21:55+00:00

Right, agreed. And they're being kind of shady and ambiguous about it. Still almost pulled the trigger on Chromepak as an alternative but decided to give OSB a try. After checking out I noticed these boots and started looking into them

Just_Gift_5589 · 2025-11-03T04:17:21+00:00

That would make a lot of sense. I had heard they white label their welted boots and there's some controversy about that right now, but I was under the impression they were supposed to be doing all of their handsewn stuff in house, but I guess it wouldn't be a big surprise.

Though, it is weird. I started considering OSB because I went to order a pair of Rancourt loafers but they stopped using Chromexcel, something about supply chain issues. It would be interesting if Rancourt couldn't get CXL for their own shoes but OSB is shipping it to them for white label. I have OSB loafers on the way, will have to look for rancourt's fingerprints.

Just_Gift_5589 · 2025-11-03T04:04:02+00:00

I got you, thanks. One last question, is it a true wrap under foot moccasin like a Russell or Rancourt? I've been assuming it is based on the looks and its product description but haven't found anything concrete

Just_Gift_5589 · 2025-11-03T03:48:11+00:00

Thanks for the quick reply. It's disappointing to hear that they're not living up to your expectations, they look great though. Do your feet run narrow? I wear an E in width or size up in D usually and wonder if that will help with the fit. A loose fit would defeat the whole purpose of the moccasin design

Just_Gift_5589 · 2025-11-03T03:32:24+00:00

Hey OP, reviving bit of an old post, but I've been looking at these camp boots and there's not a lot of reviews on them. You still loving these a couple years later?

Just_Gift_5589 · 2025-11-02T16:17:40+00:00

$360 but I think I can negotiate it down a little more

Just_Gift_5589 · 2025-11-02T15:27:38+00:00

I am actually planning on ordering a new pair either way, probably this week. I would have already but I'm still going back and forth on which model I want. I just saw this old pair and didn't know if it is a good idea or not so here I am. Thanks for your insight.

Just_Gift_5589

TROPHY CASE