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HogRider 3T WIS 
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Hi all. I have recently acquired a new Alba Manta Ray and was wondering if someone here is familiar with this model? I bought the watch (head only) thinking I was going to add a NATO or Blue Silicone strap onto it, but the more I think about it, I want to go with a bracelet. Since the watch is basically a Seiko and has the fat 2.5mm spring bars and 22mm band size, I wondered if a Seiko bracelet would just fit onto that watch without grinding and modifications? Thanks   Last edited on Thu Oct 23rd, 2008 01:30 pm by HogRider |
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Skipdawg 3T WIS 
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Fun watch enjoy.:) I see no reason why that band would not fit. ;) Attachment: AlbaBwrist1.jpg (Downloaded 93 times) |
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mcwright Admin 
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I like your strap ideas and would consider a waterproof leather strap as well. I don't know about a Seiko bracelet, but why not look for the original Alba bracelet? |
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HogRider 3T WIS
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Maybe I asked the wrong way, but I meant if somone has fitted a "curved end" Seiko bracelet. When I am looking at that watch, the distance from body to spring bar looks awfully short. I don't have my Seiko Diver here and can't compare side by side, but it looks just different.  |
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Skipdawg 3T WIS
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I rather doubt a fitted bracelet would fit the Alba. If you want fitted go with a Alba bracelet. The Seiko lugs are a bit different for one. But if there is a non-fitted you should be fine. One reason I like Rubber or leather over the bracelet. More flexability of wear and useability. ;) |
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KenC Admin 
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I'd go here and pick out a great rubber strap with deployant.....http://www.modenawatch.com/category.sc?categoryId=17 |
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oagaspar Site Founder 
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HogRider wrote: neither the Seiko nor Alba bracelets use solid end links so the thickness is very thin and the Alba cases are all the same from the looks of it so the bezel hangs over the endlink a bit and the appearance is decieving...plenty of room there imhohand6.gif Maybe I asked the wrong way, but I meant if somone has fitted a "curved end" Seiko bracelet. When I am looking at that watch, the distance from body to spring bar looks awfully short. I don't have my Seiko Diver here and can't compare side by side, but it looks just different. |
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zippofan 3T WIS 
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I bought my Alba with the bracelet, and it is very similar to a Monster bracelet, unfortunately the end links on the Monster are 20mm instead of the 22mm of the Alba. Perhaps there is something that may fit at Chronograph.com? Good luck, Griff |
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HogRider 3T WIS
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Thanks for the suggestions. I have seen several "Alba Bracelet wanted" posts around the Internet, but none for sale. Well, I might go for that Watchadoo straight ends bracelet, which takes the 2.5mm spring bars. Just curious: Is anybody familiar with this strap?http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=310084940725&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=021 This is discribed as a silicone strap. Don't really know what the difference is between a rubber and silicone straps. I never had a silicone strap on a watch before, so I don't know how soft and flexible they are compared to the dive straps that come with the Seikos. I personally can't stand the Seiko dive straps at all.. |
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Skipdawg 3T WIS
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HogRider wrote: Thanks for the suggestions. I have seen several "Alba Bracelet wanted" posts around the Internet, but none for sale. Well, I might go for that Watchadoo straight ends bracelet, which takes the 2.5mm spring bars. Here check out this fellas post. And that is just a generic strap there on the Bay. http://www.pmwf.com/Phorum/read.php?4,5189,5189 Check out this site for straps. Doug the owner is a member and friend to 3T. http://www.thewatchprince.com See these post. ;) http://www.timetechtalk.com/view_topic.php?id=5751&forum_id=30 http://www.timetechtalk.com/view_topic.php?id=13894&forum_id=30 |
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zippofan 3T WIS
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I love silicone straps, very soft and comfortable. They do seem to pick up more dust than regular rubber though. |
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HogRider 3T WIS
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Skipdawg wrote: Here check out this fellas post. And that is just a generic strap there on the Bay. Thanks - I was reading through all the links. Very informative. Still was unable to make a decision yet. I am not in a hurry anyway, plenty of other watches that need to be worn once in a while :D |
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Isthmus 3T WIS
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I have 2 of these alba divers. Both of mine are on the stock bracelet. The blue mantaray that you have does not come stock with a bracelet. You'll have to do like I did and source it separately (or buy a variant with the bracelet, swap it out and sell it). Sadly I know of no seiko bracelets that will fit without modification of the endcaps I tried lots of different OEM seiko bracelets before finally sourcing the OEM Alba one. The reason most didn't fit is because the lug space is very shallow and a bit narrow. Everything I tried, even when it fit the curvature, was either to wide (so it clattered) or too long (so the springbar wholes didn't align). To it's credit the original endcap is made to cause a neat effect. It actually sits lower than the surface of the lugs and fits below the bezel. This causes the top of the endcap to line up with the rounded flared sides of the case, causing a cool visual continuity effect. The bracelet itself is very nice and heavy, much like that on the monsters. Unlike the monster bracelet, it is held together with split pins (not pins and collars) so it is easy to adjust. The clasp is the standard friction type fliplock used in the 3 OEM bracelets for seiko's base SKX divers (it's not the spring loaded push-button flip lock used in the monster). IMHO, unless you really must have this watch on a strap, try to source the OEM bracelet. BTW, I got mine by posting a WTB on the boards of various fora. I think it was the add from PMWF that got me a reply. Good luck. Last edited on Tue Oct 28th, 2008 01:07 pm by Isthmus |
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HogRider 3T WIS
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Thank you very much for the info! Looked at a couple of images and the Alba SS bracelet does look great. I'll see if I can find one. |
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Edgel 3T WIS 
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I'm thinking a brushed Watchadoo would be the ticket. |
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Isthmus 3T WIS
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NOt sure if that would work. IIRC you would have to use the Watchadoo that takes fat spring bars. still this watch has a big mix of brushed and polished surfaced that might class with the purely brushed watchadoo. That plus you would still end up with that odd looking gap that bracelets leave between the lugs. To me, this is one ins which the original bracelet works best. Another option is to use the original end cap and mount anoter bracelet onto it. |
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HogRider 3T WIS
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It's been a while but here is an update with a photo. Ended up finding the original bracelet and yes, I'm very happy I did. Thanks to all who participated in this thread!  |
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Skipdawg 3T WIS
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Awesome! some great watches. hand6.gif |
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