BR02 strap torn apart

[eugeng]

My BR01-93 strap also have this problem. I have the watch for 2yrs, but I hardly wear it, only occasionally during weekend, so it was not that often, even if I wear it every weekend, it is at most 52weekend x 2 = 104weekend... I like the watch very much, but I think this is not reasonable..

Luckily it was the excess strap retainer that broke 1st and as I tries to remove it the strap split and I was holding it in my hand, else it would be on the
floor.

[Mark Patterson]

does anybody had any problem with their BR02 rubber strap? my rubber strap literally sliced apart. my watch is about 2 yrs old. i experienced this with my previous teknomarine watch but never expected it to happen in my BR. i love the rubber strap of BR but now i'm wondering if same thing will happen if i replace it. hope someone can give me some light on what's the best thing to do. thanks

Yes, mine split (BR03) after only 18 months.

I took it into the Retailer today who told me that 18 months was a good lifespan for a rubber watch band, particularly if you "wear it every day"!

I have cheap watches from 20 years ago that I have worn swimming in pools, in the ocean etc and raced triathlons and those rubber straps are still intact.

AND they want to charge me $150 for a new strap.

Not happy, I would have expected much more from a luxury goods brand.

[Tony G]

Add me to the list... My BR02 rubber strap has given up after only 9 months. I wear it regularly but never get it wet. VERY disappointed to hear that B&R consider this to be normal for a 500M diver's watch. Please let me know if anyone has success in having it replaced under warranty.

BR02 torn strap.jpg

[six13]

no problem after 3 months : 2 swim / week (8 kms)

Just as a matter of interest, is that seawater or chlorinated pool water?

I read a lot of posts regarding if a certain watch (not necessarily B & R) is ok to be worn swimming in the ocean. But I would have thought chemical treated pool water would be a far greater concern than natural seawater.

If that “2 swim / week (8km)” is treated swimming pool water with no effect on the strap I would say that was pretty good for the strap to hold up so far.

[DeepSea30]

I have a BR 03 and it's happened to me twice! I am totally disappointed in Bell&Ross. Less than a month after buying the watch I had to send it away to get it serviced as my minute hand fell off inside of the watch. And I'm even having problems with the crown unscrewing! Meanwhile,my Oris which also has a rubber strap and which I use AT WORK OFFSHORE is still going with no trouble what so ever! I changed the strap after 5years simply because the original strap was looking worn for wear! And I have yet to hear anything from anyone from Bell&Ross after sending an email with pictures after the first strap broke! This is neither the service nor the quality I expected when I bought my Bell&Ross!

[Simon C]

DeepSea30- send me an email and I will forward it to the right person and see what we can do.

Simon

[tatuaje]

Very simple...change it for a leather strap

[Boris]

I've had a BR marine type for a few years now and have faced the same issue twice. The rubber strap seems to crack open for no reason. Here in Geneva, the local dealer sold me a new one for a fortune. @BR, is there a way I could buy one directly from you ?

[Boris]

photo.jpg
I've had a BR marine type for a few years now and have faced the same issue twice. The rubber strap seems to crack open for no reason. Here in Geneva, the local dealer sold me a new one for a fortune. @BR, is there a way I could buy one directly from you ?

[ichewa]

It is really disappointing to see that i'm not alone on this matter. My Phantom br03-92 strap cracked in the middle after 2 years 1 month. I have 2 other watches in rotation. It has never been through any shower/pool/sea water. I hardly even sweat much! It fell off my wrist and onto a vase before landing on carpet. Now there's a unsightly scratch on frame. Am i to live with the scratch because of strap failure?

I have just emailed Simon C and also main company. Shall wait and see what happens from here. In my email, i even stated that my rubber strapped Casio G-shock lasted me more than 10 years and i still wear it for sports. Comparison in this case is totally unfit.

[ichewa]

It is really disappointing to see that i'm not alone on this matter. My Phantom br03-92 strap cracked in the middle after 2 years 1 month. I have 2 other watches in rotation. It has never been through any shower/pool/sea water. I hardly even sweat much! It fell off my wrist and onto a vase before landing on carpet. Now there's a unsightly scratch on frame. Am i to live with the scratch because of strap failure?

I have just emailed Simon C and also main company. Shall wait and see what happens from here. In my email, i even stated that my rubber strapped Casio G-shock lasted me more than 10 years and i still wear it for sports. Comparison in this case is totally unfit.

i'm pleasantly surprised Bell&Ross replied my email and has replaced my strap. New strap is much softer than the original(to what i can remember). I sure hope this strap will out live the old piece.

[Simon C]

i'm pleasantly surprised Bell&Ross replied my email and has replaced my strap. New strap is much softer than the original(to what i can remember). I sure hope this strap will out live the old piece.

.....GREAT to hear!!!
Lets hope that this new strap is all it lives unto being!!

[fatboy1340]

100% DNA B&R...

well done

[Gudzyy]

Can confirm that the new material used for their rubber strap is def better, i bought the white + green + blue this summer and can see the difference with the old ones.... All mine are in good condition but if i had the choice between old and new i would only go for the new one.

[Tswartz]

BR02-92 - have had watch for 12 months, wear it on the weekends. Strap ripped when I was taking the watch off. Totally unacceptable.

[Simon C]

BR02-92 - have had watch for 12 months, wear it on the weekends. Strap ripped when I was taking the watch off. Totally unacceptable.

Tswartz- go to your AD and see if they can get it replaced.
Hello and welcome by the way!
Interesting first post.

[chuaks]

I had the same problem with my BR01. The strap (the long part with the holes) just broke into 2 parts few days ago when I was trying to wear it. Luckily the watch did not drop onto the floor.

The watch and strap is about 4-5yrs old. I hardly wear (less than 5 times) it as I have several watches. The strap looks in superb shape physically, and the next moment it broke into 2 parts when I was trying to wear the watch. In this case, it seems like the rubber has hardened and becomes very 'brittle', unlike the normal gradual wear and tear.

I have other rubber straps from Panerai, IWC, Breitling, Sinn etc. Some of them are almost 10 years old and have no such hardening issues.

Called the B&R Boutique and was told that I need to pay for a new rubber strap (which is an improved version). I find it very strange that in the first place it was B&R that use a wrong kind of material for its rubber. Shouldn't B&R just replace such straps for free? Its a small price to pay to keep its customers.


Regards.

[Simon C]

The question of "Rubber" straps, will of course depend on the age of the strap, the amount of use, where it is used and how it is used of course.

Chuaks- I recognise that name!!
WELCOME.

[chuaks]

The question of "Rubber" straps, will of course depend on the age of the strap, the amount of use, where it is used and how it is used of course.

Chuaks- I recognise that name!!
WELCOME.

Thanks Simon.
Agreed that generally, age and usage will play a part as well. In this case, it was hardly worn and was never use in the pool or sea before... So its very likely to be the material used. Good to hear that the new B&R rubber is using a different material.

The broken strap was from my B&R Orange. Maybe its a punishment for neglecting the watch for too long...
Wanted to wear the canvas strap but realised that the standard length is too long (as it is probable meant to be worn outside the uniform?). Have ordered a black leather strap as a replacement. Its on the way. Meanwhile I have swapped the rubber strap from my Compass over so that I can enjoy my Orange. Also I think the PVD case of the BR01-92 Orange looks best with the rubber..


Cheers!
chua

[Simon C]

Chua- lucky chap to have that rare BR01 Orange!!!
Hope your new strap arrives soon!