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bigrustypig 3T WIS 
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I've been wanting to get high quality rubber straps that don't suck too much dust and should be able to take sharp differences in temps where I travel and able to further withstand the nature of my job in restaurants, freezers, kitchens etc. I finally found Isofrane and went for the brand because of its great reputation, heritage with vintage divers and known top quality. They are priced up there but what the heck, they're supposed to be good. So last week, I took delivery of 3. The first black one is 22mm with a retro sicurro PVD buckle. This is for my first Seiko Marine Master. The next 22mm one is in very eye-catching orange and also with retro sicurro PVD buckle intended for my 2nd Marine Master. The 3rd and last one is 24mm and is intended for my Pams as back up for the OEM rubber straps. This one comes in polished steel and also in retro sicurro fashion. They each came well-packed in boxes like toothbrush boxes and each have diver extensions. Every Isofrane is hypo-allergenic. They also smell so good, like vanilla. As I type this post, I can just smell the vanilla. Here they are:  This is the diver's extension:   Right here is the underside of the strap as it is attached to the spring bar:  I don't know how to use an extension but I think this is how it's done (you'll love this Johnny P). Note how one of the keepers is slanted. I think this is to make very fast attachment to the wrist. All keepers I've seen are symetrical. With this slant, I see a ver good design detail.   And finally, this shot:  Here are my observations on the strap: Very soft, supple and light. Very comfortable on the wrist and don't move around a lot like the cheaper types. The Isofrane brand is nowehere to be seen on the buckle and that's a small detail I value. Their brand/marking is on the underside of the buckle away from view. This is just me but using a watch with Brand A and a strap with a buckle with Brand X is a no-no. Putting in the "fattie" spring bar of the Marine Master was an effort because the hole tunnels are small and probably not conceived for the "fattie" MM spring bars. This was easily fixed when I used a small precision screw driver with a larger diameter than the "fattie". By working the tool through the hole a few times, I made it easier for the next spring bar to slide in without any effort at all. Overall, I'm exteremely pleased with these ones and even though these cost quite a bit, I'm sure I'm getting my money's worth. After I recover from all the expenses over the holidays, I see myself putting in some more orders for the blue variant...aside from another order for a black and another orange. If you're on the fence on this and are sensitive to the price, get off the fence. You'll just love them for sure. They are really worth the difference. Thanks for looking  Last edited on Sun Dec 12th, 2010 10:23 am by bigrustypig |
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Skipdawg 3T WIS 
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Well done looks great. Enjoy. |
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mcwright Admin 
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Very well done. Cool straps!  |
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stew77 Admin 
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Very nice Jeff!!! Thanks for the detailed pics and writeup...these really do look great, and no doubt are at the top for quality. Love the look on your Marine Master...awesome combo for sure!!!  Enjoy these!!! |
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IanM 3T WIS 
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 Brilliant, Jeff! Great photos and review. The combo with your darth MM is outstanding. The retrosicuro buckles are certainly the pick, aren't they! I have never seen the kind of detail you have showed with the diver's extension - not even on their website! In all - a strap and buckle design that is over 35 years old, that IMHO has never been bettered. I hope that you post up some more combos on your killer collection of watches - with a wrist shot or two. Jeff = the Isofrane strapmaster! Sincere congratulations Jeff - your straps are magnificent ~ enjoy! Ian |
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watchdaddy1 3T WIS 
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Jeff, very cool..I just got 1 for my Doxa 5000T but I can't get the friggin' bracelet off for the life of me....Congrats & I agree they r worth the extra price............. |
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Graham 3T WIS 
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Jeff, thanks for nothing...................... I will now have to look into getting one of these. A 24mm would look killer on my vintage Ploprof 600! Congrats and thanks for the writeup. |
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bigrustypig 3T WIS
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Thanks, Gentlemen. These Italian-made straps are really so cool. Today, almost all day, I could smell whiffs of the vanilla from my wrist. IanM....I posted today and after the holidays, will shoot down 2 blue ones in 22mm and 24mm. It's a very good deal as you end up with 2 buckles!!! You'll love them. Thanks for the history on it....35 years...wow! Graham...your Ploprof will really love these straps. I think in blue Isofrane, your Ploprof would be a killer. Chris....will post one in mesh tomorrow.... a little different on the MM. Thanks again all. |
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Devin 3T WIS 
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Yep just Killer Jeff! They look great!  |
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Paxman 3T WIS 
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That's the shiznit, Jeff. Thanks for the detailed pix and write up. |
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bigrustypig 3T WIS
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Many thanks, Trent and Mark |
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mgpdragon64 3T WIS
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I am speechless and my saliva just drip...Drool_27.gif |
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Jeep99dad 3T WIS 
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Jeff I must have missed this one.. Looks awesome, thanks for the detailed info and photos. I got one on the way, black with extension, that should land today. Got it gently used from a fellow WIS I was buying a watch from as well, so got a good price IMO. Had to try it after reading how great they are! I'm gonna try it on different watches like my Anonimo Polluce, Doxa 5000 Sharky, ... Fun times! :) Congrats again and great pics as usual!!! |
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bigrustypig 3T WIS
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Thanks MGPDragon and Brice. Brice, even if the Isofrane ages, it still looks new. My orange one, however, due to all my desk diving and mobile lifestyle, has attracted some dark "greasemarks" on the underside near the buckle. I've been thinking of getting alight blue one in 22mm for my Darth Tunas and maybe another blue one in 24mm for my other watches. You'll surely love them, amigo, and really best to get the black ones. |
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zepp21 3T WIS
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Congrats! I've heard a lot about these straps but just can't justify the price. I'm sure i'll give in but not till I get a few different straps in the collection  |
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bigrustypig 3T WIS
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zepp21 wrote:Congrats! I've heard a lot about these straps but just can't justify the price. I'm sure i'll give in but not till I get a few different straps in the collection Thank You! Just my opinion but these straps are worth their price in terms of virtually repelling dust and being so soft and comfortable. Unlike the usual cheap, rigid rubber that may crack and break over time, these babies don't. I just came from the Isofrane website to shoot down some blue ones and they're out-of-stock. Drat!!! |
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