Hadley-RomaMen's MS2010RA-180 18-mm Black Genuine Alligator Leather Watch Strap

I bought this band for a Tissot Visodate. I too was a bit nervous. Was it padded too thickly? Was the color faded and washed out? Why did it cost so much less than other genuine alligator bands?No worries.I'm not sure what the 'RA' is in MS2010RA, because the Hadley Roma site just lists this as MS2010. It is interesting the inside band does not name Hadley Roma, but does have the number 2010. Is it counterfeit? I don't know, but it is a sweet band. In fact when looking up MS2010 on the web you can find this band all over the place at a similar price point, so I think it is legit. For whatever reason small round alligator pattern is lower cost (like $50 less) than larger rectangular uniform patterns. I personally like the look of the small round patterns as it looks authentic vs. pressed leather that so many 'imitation' alligator bands look like today.This band is not REALLY thick. It has decent thickness and looks great on a Tissot Visodate watch that has a thicker case for being a dress watch. The skin has a bit of gloss to it, which makes it look like alligator... the picture made me think it might be pretty much flat black. I immediately swapped out the buckle for the Tissot clasp, but the buckle looks like nice quality. It is a great length for my 7 1/4" wrist... 4th hole in of 7... but just perfect length so the double strap loops secure the excess strap right in a perfect spot... not too short, not too long.In summary, this band turned out exactly like I had hoped but feared it was not.

Quality of the leather and hardware is where it should be. However, it's considerably lighter than is depicted in the photo here, and there's some inconsistent dying on parts.

This band is very nice. It went on a Breitling Colt Chronograph that I've had since 1995. All of my watches have metal bracelets with the exception of the Breitling and an Eco-Drive. I decided to replace the rubber dive strap on the Breitling with something, well, fancier. The alligator leather is strong and very nice. It's more matte than some other alligator leather that you will find and it's made of the side skin instead of the back or tail skin. That means that the band is a pebble grain instead of a square grain. In that way someone with knowledge of Breitling straps would be able to tell that this band is not the original for the watch, but no one else would. The fit is excellent as is the workmanship. I can't say how durable it will be considering I've only had it on the watch a week, but I expect it to be; judging by it's obvious quality.

I have worn this watchband for several weeks now and really appreciate its quality and good looks. It is thick, well constructed, and it has truly enhanced the appearance of my timepiece. Specifically, I like the texture of the pebble alligator grain leather; which, is not as formal or as glossy & smooth as some alligator bands, but possess more of a rugged elegance with bold texture and a subtle shine that is not blinding.While I wear the band with a classically styled timepiece (Frederique Constant Worldtimer), which I believe make a refined and masculine pair, it may be better suited to a sportier chronograph or pilots watch.

So I wanted an alligator band. not a faux-ligator, the real thing. Prices are all over the place, but I'm familiar with the Hadley-Roma name, the price was right at $53 and change, so I went for it. This band is much nicer than the photo. It is lightly padded, and will take a little breaking in. I love it. I was so impressed with the quality, I went back and ordered a teju lizard band--black, for another watch. Highly recommended.

The band is very nice, but I had to return two of them because they were mislabeled. Both were 20mm NOT 22mm.

This is an excellent strap, thick, painted edges and quality cut of round scale gator from the sides of the skin. Looks great on vintage watches with thick acrylic crystals. I have this in both tan and black. The tan is 5+ years old and has developed a patina and some darkening. I don't expect to black to change color over time. I picked it up for half list price, but one of the few wraps I would consider paying full list for.

I paired this with a black, military-style watch that originally had a silicone strap.The silicone strap was causing rashes, so it had to be replaced.This HR band was my choice to address the issue, and I am glad that I did.The combination of the black watch (face, bezel, lugs), black band, and sliver HR deployant clasp yield a very comfortable, very good-looking watch.