SUCCESS!
Went to the Mall today, hoping to have my Omega SMP strap fixed. After having tried to remove a couple links for a better fit myself,
having bent then broken a pin, being completely floored by the small "strap links" inside a link, and generally being rocked back to earth,
I was ready for help. So on my way home this morning, I stopped at the mall for a beverage and Krispy Kremes. And while in the Mall,
I found a small jewelry booth that seemed to have the right tools to adjust / fix watches. Asking the young lady behind the counter confirmed
my suspicions, and I was determined to bring my watch back and have it fixed ASAP. So an hour or so later, I was back with my watch.
Both the gentleman and young lady at the booth spent time working on the watch, as the pins were as tough for them as I had remembered,
but they had the right tools to fix things and make the whole watch fix. One of the two "pin tubes" was bent, and wouldn't go back into a
strap link without *significant encouragement*, but in the end... the band was reassembled down two links! And while it might still be a touch
loose, far better that than too tight! ;)
The best / worst part was the price. After the time they had spent, I really wanted to tip the young woman for the time she'd spent. But she
only would take $10 something for the work, and refused a tip. She was VERY nice, and I couldn't believe I couldn't even TALK her into a tip.
But needless to say I will remember their booth, as they were wonderful in my time of need. And now, here they are. The money shots of the
Omega SMP on my wrist!!!
P.S. I've removed the 2nd "band holder" from my leather Panerai 196 strap. The first one holds the leather strap fine and looks nice on the
watch, so I eliminated the 2nd "piece" as unneeded and an eyesore. But if needed, it can be readded with a simple turn of the screwdriver and
sliding it back on the strap.
As a result, I haven't yet got that band back together, and I'm going to take it somewhere soon asking for help.
In the meantime, I decided THIS evening to go another direction. So I removed the SS strap on my Panerai 196,
and replaced it with what looks like an OEM strap and deployant I bought on Ebay. I think it looks great, and once the leather
is broken in a little further, it should look and fit even better. (Right now it's a little tight.)
Take a look at these pics I took this evening of the new watch with the new band...
Appearently a USPS employee came by and dropped off the "mail pouch" they were in.
Do they really work on Sundays? Wierd. ;)
In any event, here they are!!!
