I'm now the proud owner of a new Aqua Terra Seamaster 2503.50.00 ( Official Omega Page ). I went for this model because I love its simplicity and versatility. one day I may own a PO or 300M or Speedmaster, and a dressier model such as a De Ville Prestige as well, but for now I'm happy with this simple classic timepiece.
So the reason for my post is that I was really looking for a watch with a leather strap, and I bought the model with a stainless bracelet on the basis that I'd be able to buy a black leather strap later, and switch between the two from time to time. I really like the Omega deployant (apparently not 'deployment') clasps ( 9452-1613 and 94521813, depending on the strap ) that allow the excess strap to be kept inside against the wrist ( this page at Chronocentric gives an comparison of Omega's two clasp styles ).
It seems, however, that there are limited options for a black leather strap that goes on one of these clasps. I can't find anything other than a leather strap with holes (98000024), or an alligator strap (98000116) . I haven't managed to find any photos of an Aqua Terra on the strap with holes (a.k.a. 'racing strap' and 'rally strap.), so I created the rather bad mockup below (using the pictures of a Speedmaster on the same strap from this thread ):
What do you all think- I feel it would dress the watch down a bit, but that's OK- if I wanted it to look flashier I'd go with the alligator. I think the Aqua Terra looks great on the simple black leather strap in this desert field test . Do you think it will even fit correctly? Will it be too ugly to wear and I'm wasting my time and money? Should I just go for a simple black leather padded strap and forget about the deployant clasp? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
According to a guy I spoke to at Otto Frei this strap is has been back-ordered for the last 3 months, and they're not sure when they'll get it in again. He also didn't think it would fit (he thought the lugs might not be thick enough and it wouldn't sit flush- the Speedmaster looks to have pretty similarly sized lugs to the Aqua Terra to me though, maybe I'll compare them in my local AD). I'll see if my AD can order one in for me to try out. For now I'm just going to pick up a cheap Breitling-style strap and clasp from strappedfortime .
