Aftermarket Panerai Review

Zergun Watch Straps Review

Zergun Panerai Straps

Origin: Hong Kong
Construction: Lock-Stitched
Materials: New Leathers
Buckles & Tubes: Both Included
Price Range: $69+
Website: Click Here
Date of Review: February 21st, 2010

Zergun Straps, another strap maker from Hong Kong has hit the scene with some similar features as their Asian competitors, but some nice changes as well. The most notable difference between these straps and the Asian competitors is the addition of a Hornback-style strap, a fixed keeper and smaller, sleeker buckles. Straps come in boxes with foam inserts and are well presented.

Zergun's basic buckles are signifantly more streamlined than most makers out there, giving them a more gentlemanly appearance on the wrist. This is supported by their slightly thinner straps and thinner keepers as well. I really like having one fixed keeper as it adds some polish to the watch strap, making it seem more professional. Its a bit more work and shows attention to detail. The Hornback and Zonda straps (top right and middle) have one fixed and one floating keeper while the prototype Sub Buckle strap (bottom left) has two floating keepers.

All three straps here are quite different in their executions. The strap holes are plentiful, allowing a lot of choices in wrist size, my 6 3/4" wrist uses the 3 from the smallest which means this strap can accomodate anywhere from 6 to 8" wrists.

The holes are in the same place on all three straps. All three straps are machine-stitched, but they are stiched very well.

From left to right, the Hornback strap has a polished regular Zergun Buckle, the Vonda straps has a brushed regular Zergun buckle, and the prototype Submarine strap has a polished new-style chunkier buckle, which resembles the sizes most other buckles I've seen - larger and chunkier.

The close-up shot of the Faux-Hornback strap shows that it is obviously not real crocodile or alligator. While its obvious that its not real alligator, it is still a very well-made strap with what appears to be a very good quality imprinted leather. I have owned many real hornback straps, so the difference is very apparent, but most people probably would not know the difference.

The backs of the Hornback strap is stamped with the Zergun logo and lined with a leather that matches the thread. Good attention to detail. As mentioned above, the first keeper is fixed, which gives the strap a more professional feel, and the floating keeper is cross-stitched. The backs of the buckles are also engraved with the Zergon typeface.

The Vonda strap is very much like many other straps I have owned from various makers. The lighter brown leather tends to absorb the oils from handling over time and darken, giving it a lot of Character. This one is sewn with natural colored thread and has a brushed buckle. The Vonda is a bit softer and more supple than the Hornback and is incredible comfortable.

Finally we have the Prototype Sub strap here, which is my favourite. The leather has a nice dimpled texture to it that I absolutely love. The strap edge is also double-tooled to give it more style, and creates an appearance closer to that of Italian strapmakers. The thread color matches beautifully with the leather.

This model is backed with a soft black leather, and has two floating keepers, unlike the other two straps. Keepers on this one are double cross-stitched. The buckle on this model is also larger and bears the picture of a sub etched onto it.

Overall, all three straps are very well made and I don't think anyone would complain about any of them, if its their cup of tea. The Faux-Hornback is probably not everyone's cup of tea, but I am told these are very popular straps from Zergun. The Vonda is a great all-round user that's really hard not to like, and the Sub Prototype strap is just fantastic. I really recommend this prototype as soon as it is available for purchase.