15300 with rubbber strap

[blackandgold]

Hey folks!

First post.. thought I'd share a pic of my 15300 with the AP bands rubber strap I just fitted.

I bought a new alligator strap from the AP boutique last year, which cost nearly £500. Within 8 months the strap was already falling apart. I went back to the boutique expecting them to replace it and was told that the "normal" lifespan of the alligator strap (if worn daily) is around 6 months!!! What planet are they on!?!
Anyway, I decided that I'd opt for a rubber strap, especially as it's summer. It's not as suave as the alligator but still looks great, imo.

[le_baron]

Beautiful watch. Lunacy that the boutique would tell you that alligator straps typically have a lifespan of 6 months.

[RoyalOac]

nice,wheres the strap from?

[AK797]

Not surprised the gold weight is too much for the leather straps, I had one and it was tearing up, the rubber is a much better choice, but 6 months is too short a period, should have at least a 1 year guarantee.

[dre-techie]

It's a good look! That looks like the AP OEM rubber strap.

I recently got the OEM strap conversion kit for my 15300ST as well. The hardware and strap are the same as for the 15400ST, 15500ST and the 41mm ROCs.

[blackandgold]

Hey guys

Yeah, I thought it was pretty poor form from AP to suggest that I'm expected to spend nearly £1k a year on straps. There are some clear weak points in the leather strap: around the screw holes on the sides - around the plots (the leather pulls downward, revealing the steel plate in the strap) - on the inside of the strap where the leather folds over and is stuck down.

AP have the ingenuity and money to address these flaws. And they really should. Especially as they don't offer a rubber strap option for a 39mm RO (or so I was told).

Anyway, definitely growing much fonder of the rubber strap today. The alligator strap is a tough act to follow, but knowing that I no longer have to take my watch off around water is a massive bonus.

Some more pics:

[blackandgold]

Originally Posted by dre-techie

It's a good look! That looks like the AP OEM rubber strap.

I recently got the OEM strap conversion kit for my 15300ST as well. The hardware and strap are the same as for the 15400ST, 15500ST and the 41mm ROCs.

Ahh! Thanks for the info, man. I can't believe they didn't tell me that at the boutique when I inquired about a rubber strap.

[dre-techie]

Originally Posted by blackandgold

Ahh! Thanks for the info, man. I can't believe they didn't tell me that at the boutique when I inquired about a rubber strap.

From the OP’s additional photos, it might be the APbands strap.

The boutique told you the official line. Only the alligator strap conversion is offered for the 15300ST. Plots, screws, alligator strap, deployant clasp. The rubber conversion is discouraged for our model…

While having the 15300ST on a strap is nice to change things up, I find that the black rubber strap makes the black dial 15300ST look smaller on the wrist than it does on a bracelet. For my wrist (6.75”), I like the proportions of the 39mm on bracelet, would probably enjoy a 41mm RO with rubber strap.