Connery's Rolex Crocodile Strap

CB0012

Can any of you gentlemen confirm for me the color? I was always under the impression it was black however in some photos like here it almost appears to be a very dark brown especially in contrast with Sean's tie.

Matt S

CB0012 wrote:

Can any of you gentlemen confirm for me the color? I was always under the impression it was black however in some photos like here it almost appears to be a very dark brown especially in contrast with Sean's tie.

It do think it is dark brown. It clashes a bit when you compare it to the black bezel and dial of the watch. But when comparing it to the tie, consider that the tie is navy, not black.

Peppermill

Would a very dark brown strap like that look good when wearing black shoes? Opinions differ whether to match the strap color of a watch with your shoes like you would with a belt.

Higgins

Just my opinion:

Submariner + leather strap? No!
Submariner + croco leather strap? Nooooooh!
Submariner + brown croco leather strap? Are you fecking kidding me???

Miles Messervy

Higgins wrote:

Just my opinion:

Submariner + leather strap? No!
Submariner + croco leather strap? Nooooooh!
Submariner + brown croco leather strap? Are you fecking kidding me???

I see nothing wrong with a Sub on a leather strap generally, but I agree that it has no place on a crocodile strap.

Matt S

Peppermill wrote:

Would a very dark brown strap like that look good when wearing black shoes? Opinions differ whether to match the strap color of a watch with your shoes like you would with a belt.

It's not so important to match the watch to the rest of your leathers. I think a brown crocodile strap is not a problem with black shoes, but a black watch and a dark brown strap do not go together.

Commandant

Higgins wrote:

Just my opinion:

Submariner + leather strap? No!
Submariner + croco leather strap? Nooooooh!
Submariner + brown croco leather strap? Are you fecking kidding me???

Mr Higgins has a Hulk submariner...Please keep that in mind

CB0012

Matt S wrote:

Peppermill wrote:

Would a very dark brown strap like that look good when wearing black shoes? Opinions differ whether to match the strap color of a watch with your shoes like you would with a belt.

It's not so important to match the watch to the rest of your leathers. I think a brown crocodile strap is not a problem with black shoes, but a black watch and a dark brown strap do not go together.

I'm at a loss on this one too. I feel like a watch should stand on its own and not necessarily have to match the outfit, but for all the attention to detail towards style in the films it surprises me they made this choice.

Donald Grant

That often seen particular photograph makes the strap look like a rich cognac color. If memory serves, in DN and FRWL, the actual movies, the strap appears black. When it comes to color in movies, you have to be very careful. For instance, the Sandown Trilby that Connery/Bond wears is brown but it sometimes appears grey on screen. Then we have the Connery Bond NATO strap that's not really a NATO. Did it really have red in it as it appears on screen? Hard to say. It certainly appears thus on screen in some scenes. Non Bond related, but very relatable are the command shirts worn by Captain Kirk in Star Trek TOS. On screen they appear gold but they were actually like an avocado green. So screen accuracy becomes a personal choice related to how the object appears versus what was actually used.

As to the question of leather straps on dive watches. Just remember the grandfather of all modern day naval special warfare, the famed Decima Mas Gamma Group, wore their Rolex/Panerai dive watches on leather straps.

DG

Peppermill

The reason I'm asking (sorry for going at bit off topic but I don't want to start a new topic) is because I havve my eye on an Aqua Terra that comes on a dark brown leather strap. I will also order a SS bracelet but am on the fence about also ordering a black leather strap to go with it as I often wear suits and when I do I ALWAYS wear black shoes. But I really like the (softer) look of the brown strap and with the prices Omega asks for a simple strap......

Higgins

I think, that Matt said all.

Unless you are italian (who seem to get away with any kind of brown shoes, belts and leather straps), the leather strap should be black when your shoes are black.

Or you disregard the protocole and do what you like

0073

Donald Grant wrote:

That often seen particular photograph makes the strap look like a rich cognac color. If memory serves, in DN and FRWL, the actual movies, the strap appears black. When it comes to color in movies, you have to be very careful. For instance, the Sandown Trilby that Connery/Bond wears is brown but it sometimes appears grey on screen. Then we have the Connery Bond NATO strap that's not really a NATO. Did it really have red in it as it appears on screen? Hard to say. It certainly appears thus on screen in some scenes. Non Bond related, but very relatable are the command shirts worn by Captain Kirk in Star Trek TOS. On screen they appear gold but they were actually like an avocado green. So screen accuracy becomes a personal choice related to how the object appears versus what was actually used.

As to the question of leather straps on dive watches. Just remember the grandfather of all modern day naval special warfare, the famed Decima Mas Gamma Group, wore their Rolex/Panerai dive watches on leather straps.

DG

Quite right on the colours. If I may add to this, even though I take the risk of being repetitive: black is very difficult colour altogether for screen use. You may sometimes see on tv or in movies people wearing uniforms, that are supposed to be the same colour (black) but depending on the fabrics used by the clothing department for a particular actors wardrobe, some clothes appear black, others look brown and there might even be a few in dark blue thrown in to the mix.

Peppermill

Higgins wrote:

I think, that Matt said all.

Unless you are italian (who seem to get away with any kind of brown shoes, belts and leather straps), the leather strap should be black when your shoes are black.

Or you disregard the protocole and do what you like

But that is not how I read his answer.... I read it as: As long as the watch face isn't black it is okay to wear a brown strap with black shoes. Again, I am on the fence about this (and will I have the same problem but reversed when I buy a black strap and wear brwon shoes) and might just put on a bracelet and be done with it....

But having Italian roots from a few generations ago might help Also, being Dutch, a country famous for not having any style sense at all, might help as well.

Higgins

Oops, you are right.

I partly agree and partly disagree with Matt.
Having a brown strap on a black dial watch can be the bigger sin, but having a brown strap with black shoes is a smaller sin.

You could try oranje color or maybe a strap with „we have missed the Worldcup 2018“ alternatively

Peppermill

Sounds like a good mod to my Seiko Orange Monster! Will have to save some room for World Cup 2022, 2016 etc. so I can add those later )

Higgins

) ) ) )

Higgins

Just after the last qualification match, I entered Amsterdam Airport and asked an officer, if he will be cheering for the germans now
His face was priceless....

Peppermill

I'm surprised you were allowed to board the plane at all and didn't get "randomly" picked for a full body cavity search.....

Donald Grant

Personally, I don't think you have to match your watch watch strap color to your shoe color. When dressing, despite the fact that there are certain rules, what matters is the overall appearance. Some of the best dressed men in history often broke rules. I don't think the watch strap falls into the category of braking sartorial rules however. I'm just saying you need to have your own personal style and if that means using a brown watch strap with black shoes, then so be it. The question is do you like the look and feel comfortable wearing it?

DG

Dirty Punker

CB0012 wrote:

Matt S wrote:

Peppermill wrote:

Would a very dark brown strap like that look good when wearing black shoes? Opinions differ whether to match the strap color of a watch with your shoes like you would with a belt.

It's not so important to match the watch to the rest of your leathers. I think a brown crocodile strap is not a problem with black shoes, but a black watch and a dark brown strap do not go together.

I'm at a loss on this one too. I feel like a watch should stand on its own and not necessarily have to match the outfit, but for all the attention to detail towards style in the films it surprises me they made this choice.

For that reason alone, the RAF is the way to go.
You don't have to match it with anything, really. That's part of why I find it to be so wearable.
Higgy babe you're automatically disqualified thanks to the Hulk.

Higgins

I don‘t own a Hulk X-( Welshie did and sold it after he found out that I did not approve it X-(

Commandant

It is worthwhile mentioning that Daniel Craig was wearing a black belt with brown John Lobb shoes in Casino Royale (Bermuda scene).

Higgins

that was when he was a young puppy and prior to his TF suit period......

Westward_Drift

Higgins wrote:

that was when he was a young puppy and prior to his TF suit period......

But in QoS it was a black Prada belt with brown suede Church Ryder chukkas.

Higgins

QoS was crap, anyhow
Seriously, I am pretty sure that we all find examples where 007 (or anyone else) is breaking fashion protocoles (one example may be that to a tux, you are wearing a slim and simple watch - preferrably on a leather strap) - so what does it mean?

It just gives evidence that Connery started with it as early as Dr. No with the Sub on the croc strap.

If you follow the protocole to a T or follow 007 in all details, that personal decision is up to us all B-)