- Home
- Panerai Models
- Panerai Movements
- Straps, Buckles, Bracelets
- Aftermarket Straps
- Ambassadors & Celebs
- Articles & Links
- Price Lists
- Millesimation
- Forum
- Panerai Glossary
- Contact Info
Aftermarket Panerai Review
ABP Watch Straps Review
ABP Panerai Straps
Origin: France
Construction: Lock-Stitched
Materials: All Sorts of Leathers
Buckles & Tubes: No Tubes, No Buckles
Price Range: $220US+
Website: Click Here
Date of Review: December 11th, 2010
Atelier du Bracelet Parisien, or ABP as we call it for short, is possibly the finest Panerai (if not overall) aftermarket strapmaker on the planet. Their dimensions are completely custom and materials range from Beaver tail to exotic Ostrich Leg or Alligator. You can choose the thickness as well as wideness tapers, and they can customize your strap for deployant or tang buckle. You can even choose the shade of the strap for the dying process - the possibilities are endless! Because of this customizability, all straps are made to order, and the price is steep.
See a closeup of the unique Crocodile pattern on this Green dyed Alligator strap from ABP. The scales are extremely large, and show tons of character - easily the most beautiful Alligator or Crocodile strap I have ever owned. The single keeper is made with a very small round grain portion and matches great. Stitching is a matching dark green on the front, and a natural on the back.
This ABP strap was also constructed for use with the Panerai Deployant Buckle, though it can be used with the regular tang buckle as well. It tapers from 24 to 22mm, to match the OEM specificantions roughly. The main sections of the strap are thicker and taper towards the tails in order to fit the deployant properly. As you can see from this photo, the strap develops a nice curve to fit the wrist. I have to say it was a bit tough to pull it through the deployant strap, however.
A rear shot of the tail, showing the ABP Signature on the back of the strap. This is the only marking that ABP puts on their straps. Backing feels like a softer calf-like leather, though I'm not sure exactly. The back does not darken from use, but remains the lighter tan color that you see in the picture. The strap is extremely comfortable and likely the highest quality strap I have ever owned - whether or not the strap is nice enough to justify spending the money is up to the purchaser. A similar strap to this one will likely run around $350+.
Overall I can't really complain too much about this strap... its easily the highest quality alligator hide I've ever had on a watch strap, and the taper into the deployant is fantastic. The watch wears like a champ and the finish on the Alligator hide is impeccable. There is no surprise to me why ABP is regarded by most to be the best strapmaker in the world.