Jewelry

[Tinkrbl44]

So many posters here know SO much more about watches than I do ...   I have been mulling over the above noted watch ... turquoise face, white straps .... and would love some feedback.

What do you think about Judith's watches that come with a leather strap?  Most of mine have the deployment clasp and I don't even remember the last time I owned a watch with a leather strap.

Unfortunately, there are no reviews.

I'd love your opinions on this watch ... or if you own similar Ripka styles.  Or ...  Is the 1 1/2 inch face too big for you?

TIA !!!

[Kachina624]

@Tinkrbl44  Its a fashion watch not a fine Swiss made timepiece.  They don't even mention what the crystal is made of which is important.  Probably Japanese movement made in China. The quartz that's available today seems to go on forever regardless of the quality so I'm sure it'll serve your purpose.  I have a number of Ripka watches and never had any bad luck with any of them.

That being said, here is a watch I was considering buying last week.  It was $300., on sale at Nordstrom's Rack.  About the same size (no its not too big for me), sapphire crystal, Swiss parts assembled in the USA.   I like the simplicity of these watches and I find leather straps comfortable.  You could change the strap on the Ripka watch to brown or black for winter.

[millieshops]

I am so happy to see a watch with such a clean face -  I'd pretty much quit adding any watches to my collection because after a few with all the sub-dials, I realized I never used those dials and they made even reading the time hard for me.

@Tinkrbl44I've never owned a Ripka watch so I can't speak to her quality, but I have had good experiences with other QVC watches (Ecclissi, Isaac).

[patbz]

I have a number of watches and most are Ecclissi sterling and many are second hand from the Bay.  Never any problems and about 75% off new works for me.

[Tinkrbl44]

@Kachina624    ..... or anyone else who has experience with these .....   

I didn't think about changing the strap to another color ....  are they all removeable?   I see you can buy additional srtaps on QVC, but I've looked at the descriptions and none indicate the straps are able to be switched.   

I remember years ago having a watch with a strap that was on permanently, so I prefer not to deal with that again.  

[Lavenderjunkie]

Some watch straps can be replaced and others can't be.  It depends upon the design of the watch/strap.   On this particular watch it appears the strap could be removed.  You would probably need a jeweler to do that,  but it takes a second.   Most watch straps are held in place by spring bars.

If you purchase a new strap you will need to get one that is exactly the right width at the lug end (part that attaches to the watch case).   Either you can measure the existing strap or a jeweler can do it for you.   Watch straps are sold in mm sizes.  Ladies watch straps can be varying sizes.   Based on the QVC description of the width,  my guess is the strap is between 15mm and 17 mm... but you need the exact size for a new strap to fit.

These days you can buy watch straps made by some compaies with quick change pins on the back.  This means that you can easily take straps on and off by yourself,  without any tools.  Invicta sells watch sets with this type of strap,  you could probably find a video on evine and see what I am talking about.  It's a very handy feature that allows you to have several different (color) watch straps you can interchange when ever you want.

[Kachina624]

I have maybe 50-60 watch straps I've gotten on eBay with the quick change pins.  Most are generic leather straps but I also have some Michèle straps that fit watches with the straight bar across like the Ripka watch has.  The Michèle straps are nicer, fancy colors and leathers.  A jeweler can measure the watch and tell you exactly what size you need.

There's a small learning curve to using the quick change pins but you'll soon be snapping them off and on in a jiffy.

[Shanus]

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@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

@Kachina624    ..... or anyone else who has experience with these .....   

I didn't think about changing the strap to another color ....  are they all removeable?   I see you can buy additional srtaps on QVC, but I've looked at the descriptions and none indicate the straps are able to be switched.   

I remember years ago having a watch with a strap that was on permanently, so I prefer not to deal with that again.  

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@Tinkrbl44  Most leather (or metal) watch bands are held in place by a “pin” and can be removed/replaced by a jeweler. The only ones that cannot be changed are bracelet style watches where a wide metal “bracelet” is directly attached to the watch face. 

[Shanus]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

I have maybe 50-60 watch straps I've gotten on eBay with the quick change pins.  Most are generic leather straps but I also have some Michèle straps that fit watches with the straight bar across like the Ripka watch has.  The Michèle straps are nicer, fancy colors and leathers.  A jeweler can measure the watch and tell you exactly what size you need.

There's a small learning curve to using the quick change pins but you'll soon be snapping them off and on in a jiffy.

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Hi @Kachina624. I also have many watches (more like 15-20). I consider them more an accessory than a timepiece. Do you keep the pins pulled out to preserve batteries or just keep them all “at the ready”.

[Kachina624]

@Shanus The thingy you pull out is called the crown, and and no,  I don't pull it out because that would allow dust and moisture to enter the inner workings.  I have many "fashion" watches but I have many very expensive ones also.