Strap change for A. Lange & Sohne

[jvd99]

Hi all,

I'm thinking about acquiring an ALS Datograph Up/Down but may want to dress it down a bit with a different strap. For all the ALS guys out there, have you changed your strap before and if so, did you do it yourself or have a watchmaker change it for you. I'm assuming ALS uses spring bars, but would you risk scratching the case doing yourself?

Thanks for your input

[Justindo]

If you tape the lugs and get a good spring bar tool, you'll probably do as good of a job if not better than any "watch technician" you might take it to. Almost no one is as careful with your things as you are. If you have lesser watches, you might try practicing on them first.

[Jay (Eire)]

Yes. It's no big deal so long as you have the tool.

I went the opposite direction by trying to dress it down a little.

[mps354]

As others have said, very easy with a spring bar tool.

[mps354]

Originally Posted by Jay (Eire)

Yes. It's no big deal so long as you have the tool.

I went the opposite direction by trying to dress it down a little.

Very nice!

[ap1]

Originally Posted by Jay (Eire)

Yes. It's no big deal so long as you have the tool.

I went the opposite direction by trying to dress it down a little.

Deets on that strap. I think grey would look awesome on my 1815 chrono Black wg

[AEC]

Originally Posted by jvd99

Hi all,

I'm thinking about acquiring an ALS Datograph Up/Down but may want to dress it down a bit with a different strap. For all the ALS guys out there, have you changed your strap before and if so, did you do it yourself or have a watchmaker change it for you. I'm assuming ALS uses spring bars, but would you risk scratching the case doing yourself?

Thanks for your input

As others here have noted, I'll confirm it's probably best to do it yourself, and it's probably best to practice on less precious watch a couple of times.

I have never poked around youtube for some, but I wouldn't be surprised if there are decent instructional videos there.

I like to work over a bath towel, and I wear reading glasses with high magnification (just cheapies from the drug store). It's best to have three shots of good Tequila before you begin .

Take photos of the watch before you begin to help with recalling how some things go back together (such as the pin and buckle). This seems silly, but trust me.

Finally, it's possible the straps you're thinking of purchasing can be ordered with quick-change spring bars built into them, which makes this whole proposition a bit simpler.

[jvd99]

Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately there are no videos on how to change an ALS strap.

I love that grey strap, but I was looking at something like a Strap Smith smooth black with blue stitching. I think it would be much more robust, but still keep the overall look of the watch.

Does anyone know the strap width for the Dato Up/Down?

[Jay (Eire)]

Originally Posted by ap1

Deets on that strap. I think grey would look awesome on my 1815 chrono Black wg

Jean Rousseau custom to Lange specs. I have a number of straps from JR and have been very pleased. As always, best if you can see the hide in person when doing custom.

[ap1]

Originally Posted by Jay (Eire)

Jean Rousseau custom to Lange specs. I have a number of straps from JR and have been very pleased. As always, best if you can see the hide in person when doing custom.

Interesting. They can easily match the standard 1815 I assume (length, hole placement etc). I’ve had a very poor experience with CF on a jlc where it was way too short. A total waste of 5 Hundo


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[gengar]

Originally Posted by ap1

Interesting. They can easily match the standard 1815 I assume (length, hole placement etc). I’ve had a very poor experience with CF on a jlc where it was way too short. A total waste of 5 Hundo

Interesting - I also had a terrible experience with Camille Fournet, which surprised me because they seem highly regarded on various forums. At least I was only out €240 on mine.

Jean Rousseau is my go-to strapmaker. As with all customs, it is best and safest if you send them the measurements of your actual, current preferred strap (including hole placement).

JR has boutiques in NYC, London, Paris, Tokyo, among other cities - if you ever travel to those cities, the boutiques have samples of all the materials/colors.

[Jay (Eire)]

Originally Posted by ap1

Interesting. They can easily match the standard 1815 I assume (length, hole placement etc). I’ve had a very poor experience with CF on a jlc where it was way too short. A total waste of 5 Hundo


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If it was way too short why didn't they redo it?

JR have been great BUT I go there in person, watch them measure, choose the material etc. One one occasion they even redid something I wasn't happy with even though there was no error on thier side.

You could also send in your own strap, have them copy.

[Abdullasaif]

Just took her out the safe for a quick pic, but this is what it looks like opposite of dressed down it’s on a Hermès grey taupe strap



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[jvd99]

Originally Posted by Jay (Eire)

Jean Rousseau custom to Lange specs. I have a number of straps from JR and have been very pleased. As always, best if you can see the hide in person when doing custom.

Thanks for the tip on Jean Rousseau - I'm now in contact for a custom strap.

Does any one know whether ALS uses single or double shoulder springbars?

Trying to determine the best tool to remove ALS straps

[Vipes]

I changed the strap myself. IMO, the Dato looks best on the OEM strap.