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Any experience with MAIKES straps?

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2019 3:43 pm
by BostonCharlie
I discovered Maikes on Amazon, but they also have an AliExpress storefront. Their straps look good in the photos and the prices are around $16 on Amazon -- seems like a good value. On Amazon you get free returns, free shipping for [edit]orders over $25[/edit] and they are Prime eligible.

Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/s?merchant=AWYSPE0DR95RX

AliExpress Storefront: https://maikes.aliexpress.com/store/810317

Product Review I found googling around: https://watchcomplications.com/2018/12/ ... es-straps/

Separately, I've never purchased from AliExpress -- am I missing out on something here?

Re: Any experience with MAIKES straps?

Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2019 6:36 pm
by konax
A bit of a late reply, but I just saw the thread when randomly browsing the forum.

I have one Maikes strap, ordered from Ali. All is good, no bigger issues here. Soft and supple enough, easy on the wrist. Definitely real leather, stitching is fine, nothing tears or rips. 3mm thick.
It does have one curious property that is not shown on the pictures - when worn, folded etc. the leather gets this cracked pattern with lighter color showing inside the cracks. It doesn't stay smooth like in the Ali pics. I actually like it, gives more of a rustic feel. The color is slightly off compared to manufacturer pictures, I ordered "green", looks more mustard-brown to me.

Also regarding buying on Ali in general - you're missing on many affordable (but decent) watches, some straps (like strapsco or cheapestnatostraps products but straight from the manufacturer) and loooong shipping times (average 30-40 days to EU). Check out the "Best of Ali Xpress" thread on WUS. https://forums.watchuseek.com/f71/best- ... 36489.html
[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201903 ... 56e201.jpg[/IMG][IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201903 ... 991bff.jpg[/IMG]

Re: Any experience with MAIKES straps?

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2019 7:37 pm
by VCheng
konax wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2019 6:36 pm A bit of a late reply, but I just saw the thread when randomly browsing the forum.

I have one Maikes strap, ordered from Ali. All is good, no bigger issues here. Soft and supple enough, easy on the wrist. Definitely real leather, stitching is fine, nothing tears or rips. 3mm thick.
It does have one curious property that is not shown on the pictures - when worn, folded etc. the leather gets this cracked pattern with lighter color showing inside the cracks. It doesn't stay smooth like in the Ali pics. I actually like it, gives more of a rustic feel. The color is slightly off compared to manufacturer pictures, I ordered "green", looks more mustard-brown to me.

Also regarding buying on Ali in general - you're missing on many affordable (but decent) watches, some straps (like strapsco or cheapestnatostraps products but straight from the manufacturer) and loooong shipping times (average 30-40 days to EU). Check out the "Best of Ali Xpress" thread on WUS. https://forums.watchuseek.com/f71/best- ... 36489.html
[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201903 ... 56e201.jpg[/IMG][IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201903 ... 991bff.jpg[/IMG]
Wow, it's quite nice looking. I agree with you the rustic look. May I ask was the bronze came with the strap? Thanks.

Re: Any experience with MAIKES straps?

Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2019 6:50 am
by konax
VCheng wrote:
Wow, it's quite nice looking. I agree with you the rustic look. May I ask was the bronze came with the strap? Thanks.
No, the buckle is from a San Martin watch. The one that came with the strap was a regular steel one.
Screenshot_20190315-124943_AliExpress.jpeg

Re: Any experience with MAIKES straps?

Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2019 7:24 pm
by VCheng
konax wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2019 6:50 am
VCheng wrote:
Wow, it's quite nice looking. I agree with you the rustic look. May I ask was the bronze came with the strap? Thanks.
No, the buckle is from a San Martin watch. The one that came with the strap was a regular steel one.Screenshot_20190315-124943_AliExpress.jpeg
I noticed as I checked out their store later. Some good comments on Amazon. Yet a review mentioned that the dye came out. I assume it's just an occasional case or its just the cracking patten when folding. I ordered one in aliexpress to try out. If turns out fine, may order more diff colors. Thanks for your info.

Re: Any experience with MAIKES straps?

Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2019 12:24 am
by VCheng
I finally got the strap. First impression was that it's real leather, soft, easily comfortable. There are some little glues in the holes. Fair for the price of only about $12. Of course, the quality is not really on par with renowned brands.

What disappointed me was I could not get heavy marks for rustic look like the pic the fellow member posted. Even I try to band the strap, the marks are of evenly distributed pattern and not deep. I just wore it for a day only. Let's see how it goes after more wearing. I really want to get the look of that rustic feel, so am considering to order the exact green one and see whether things can happen.

All in all, for those interested in trying the strap, I would say go for it. Thanks.