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Old 8 January 2017, 05:41 PM   #1
Ruud Van Driver
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Icon14 Dangerous9 on my 689 (and 359). Pic heavy.

I received the email from John Glance at the back of November to let me know my strap was ready (a month earlier than scheduled too). I was heading back to the UK the following week, so John offered to ship it there instead. Happy Days!

Unfortunately, Ruud Van D-head forgot to take his Panerai tools home so I couldn't fit the strap until coming back to Singapore I'm not one of these guys who's into bodgeneering with a pen and rusty bread knife, no way Jose, so I was just going to have to wait and be patient.

Anyhoo, enough of my buffoonery, on to the strap. I followed John's online instructions to the letter regarding measuring my wrist (you should read them, they're bang on and hilarious ) and he recommended a 130/80 (holey side/buckley side) and the fit is fine. I was a little concerned because it's one up from the OEM Panerai size but it works, job done. In a way, this actually fits better because I have more length of strap to fit through the keepers, so all good there.

I went for a dark walnut Teju lizard skin with a black 'Cclone' patterned Kangaroo lining and ecru stitching. The Kangaroo skin is moisture resistant, which is going to come in handy with the humidity here in Singapore. I also opted for the thick curved lug system with padding at the lugs, double keepers with one floating and one stitched, and a brushed D9 screw in buckle.

First off, it's a mild PITA to fit with the thick curved lug system and padded lugs, although I suspect it's because it's totally new to me. John does provide a link to video instructions but I winged it and got there in the end with a few Ruud words

The strap though is a masterpiece. It looks and feels total quality in everything from the aesthetics, the feel and the weight (it's not heavy but it does have substance, if you know what I mean).

I also went with the in-house screw in buckle. For the extra few €, it was silly not to. Talking of buckles, John does offer some special stuff of Mammoth fossil. They're mad money at up to €200 a pop but then this is a totally sensible hobby. Said no-one ever!

Whilst I had it made for my 689, I'm actually thinking it looks better on my 359. You can see for yourselves from the pics, when I eventually get there.......

I will most definitely have John make me another strap, most likely when I pick up my final (ha ha) PAM in August this year.

I can recommend John without hesitation but patience is required because his turnaround time is 12 to 16 weeks. They take a while but nothing this good is produced in a hurry.

In summary, this ain't a strap, this is art.

Here we go with the pics.......
Attached Images
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File Type: jpg IMG_2255.jpg (44.4 KB, 382 views)
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Old 8 January 2017, 05:43 PM   #2
Daryl
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Beautiful

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Old 8 January 2017, 05:45 PM   #3
Ruud Van Driver
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With my 359. Apologies for the 'backdrop', but photography was never my strong point.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_2257.jpg (88.8 KB, 380 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_2258.jpg (95.5 KB, 378 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_2259.jpg (99.8 KB, 381 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_2260.jpg (101.5 KB, 383 views)
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116520 Black, 116610 LVc, 116660 D-Blue, 116610 LNc, 116622 Blue, PAM359, PAM689, PAM737

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Old 8 January 2017, 05:48 PM   #4
Ruud Van Driver
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And the 689
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File Type: jpg IMG_2261.jpg (124.6 KB, 381 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_2262.jpg (115.6 KB, 379 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_2263.jpg (121.6 KB, 381 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_2264.jpg (115.0 KB, 375 views)
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116520 Black, 116610 LVc, 116660 D-Blue, 116610 LNc, 116622 Blue, PAM359, PAM689, PAM737

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Old 8 January 2017, 05:49 PM   #5
Ruud Van Driver
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A few more with the 689
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File Type: jpg IMG_2267.jpg (74.3 KB, 372 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_2268.jpg (78.1 KB, 380 views)
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116520 Black, 116610 LVc, 116660 D-Blue, 116610 LNc, 116622 Blue, PAM359, PAM689, PAM737

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Old 8 January 2017, 05:50 PM   #6
Cru Jones
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Such a gorgeous strap! You're so right, John's work is art. Enjoy and looking forward to seeing it on your watches.

First Bill and now you with the Teju lizard skin. Looks so good. Considered myself enabled! ;-)



Edit: just saw the mounted pics... looks good on both, but looks absolutely incredible on the 359.
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Old 8 January 2017, 05:51 PM   #7
Ruud Van Driver
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Originally Posted by Cru Jones View Post
Such a gorgeous strap! You're so right, John's work is art. Enjoy and looking forward to seeing it on your watches.

First Bill and now you with the Teju lizard skin. Looks so go good. Considered myself enabled! ;-)
Many thanks, Cru

There's a turnaround, me enabling you!
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Old 8 January 2017, 06:27 PM   #8
Ian Macdermott
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Cracking looking strap Paul

I might be slightly biased but agree with you about it looking better on the 359
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Old 8 January 2017, 06:37 PM   #9
jsuarez
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Looks great, love that teju.
Yeah, his straps are awesome. I emailed back in November but I just couldn't wait 3 months for a strap. I get that he's probably super busy but damn, 3 freakin' months?!?!
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Old 8 January 2017, 07:58 PM   #10
rootbeer7
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Look amazing. My interest in Panerai is growing somewhat. These picks have helped!
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Old 8 January 2017, 08:02 PM   #11
Ruud Van Driver
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Quote:
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Cracking looking strap Paul

I might be slightly biased but agree with you about it looking better on the 359
Now who didn't see that coming

Quote:
Originally Posted by jsuarez View Post
Looks great, love that teju.
Yeah, his straps are awesome. I emailed back in November but I just couldn't wait 3 months for a strap. I get that he's probably super busy but damn, 3 freakin' months?!?!
Rome wasn't built in a day, mate. As well as being busy, his straps are hand made. Trust me, you won't be disappointed

Quote:
Originally Posted by rootbeer7 View Post
Look amazing. My interest in Panerai is growing somewhat. These picks have helped!
Speak to Cru, he's the Panerai Enabler-in-Chief
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Old 8 January 2017, 10:44 PM   #12
Cru Jones
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rootbeer7 View Post
Look amazing. My interest in Panerai is growing somewhat. These picks have helped!


The beauty of the design plus the infinite strap options and the limited number of PAMs out there (compared to, say, Rolex or Omega) make for a really compelling watch. Take your time and learn about the different case types and materials and movements, and you may just find your next one.
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Old 8 January 2017, 11:17 PM   #13
fullcourt
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nice....enjoy
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Old 8 January 2017, 11:42 PM   #14
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Beautiful strap and fits perfectly congratulations Paul
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Old 9 January 2017, 03:13 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver View Post
Now who didn't see that coming



Rome wasn't built in a day, mate. As well as being busy, his straps are hand made. Trust me, you won't be disappointed



Speak to Cru, he's the Panerai Enabler-in-Chief
How did I miss this brown Teju !?!

Looks great!

I have been buying a couple from Combat-straps.com of late. 2 1/2 week turnaround, and great quality. John Glance's work is top drawer.

Loving this one Ruud.
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Old 9 January 2017, 05:55 AM   #16
Babolat
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Beautiful strap .... enjoy
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Old 9 January 2017, 08:24 PM   #17
Marcela
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Congratulations! Beautiful,
John has built several straps for me, I consider his work a true example of wearable art :-)
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Old 9 January 2017, 09:15 PM   #18
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Looks great
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Old 14 January 2017, 08:32 AM   #19
ajas
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Congratulations Paul
Looks great on 359.

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