Watches and Aftermarket Strap Options
Hi Crunchers!
I love watches and I love to swap the straps around with my watches.
When I buy a watch, one of my selection criteria is how the watch will look with different straps/bracelets. I tend to look beyond the watch with its original bracelet/strap from the brand and what a difference strap will look with the watch. Hence, integrated bracelets don’t resonate with me.
There are watches that I don’t wear because there’s something just not right with the bracelet/strap, no matter how good or beautiful the watch is. Sometimes I change the stock strap because the fit is not right and sometimes to change the entire look and feel do the watch altogether.
Do aftermarket straps play an important role to you as a watch enthusiast or do you always wear your watches with the stock strap/bracelets? Would love to hear your feedbacks and better still share your different strap options! 😍
Trying to keep to a 7 watches collection
The right strap can make or break the aesthetic for me.
When I started collecting, I quickly bought a dozen different straps in 18 and 22mm to experiment with my tastes and match different dials, outfits or mood. Some pairings made me fall in love with my watches even more than when I first got them! 😍
I like to mess around with the Delugs strap finder tool to try different combinations of textures, stitching and colors for inspirations, even though I'd probably never buy one of their expensive straps. 😅
White dials with grey suede and midnight blue are my current favorites:
And for dark faces I love a warm cognac leather:
And of course the timeless SKX + grey NATO:
I so far don’t think I’ve found the perfect strap for this gold zenith - any ideas welcome :)
I'd say I'm mostly straps. Have a few metal bracelet/integrated bracelet watches. But they get hot, and not as easily to adjust, unless they have a diver/micro extension.
TBH, I will combo any strap with any head/dial. Long as the colors are close to complimentary on a color wheel and it's fun. One way to bring some pop, fun, or personality to a tool watch, throw it on a graphic strap. I've found it's also a good way to have some personality shine through when in uniform (don't really care if it's in regs or not...🤪) I also like me some good drab colors too.
The right strap can make or break the aesthetic for me.
When I started collecting, I quickly bought a dozen different straps in 18 and 22mm to experiment with my tastes and match different dials, outfits or mood. Some pairings made me fall in love with my watches even more than when I first got them! 😍
I like to mess around with the Delugs strap finder tool to try different combinations of textures, stitching and colors for inspirations, even though I'd probably never buy one of their expensive straps. 😅
White dials with grey suede and midnight blue are my current favorites:
And for dark faces I love a warm cognac leather:
And of course the timeless SKX + grey NATO:
I like delug too, but find their customers support lacking.
I am big on strap changes. Problem is, I also really like the curved end fitted look, or borrowing looks from other watches, so sometimes that is a bit of a potentially expensive gamble.
Atm I am considering getting an Aqua Terra style rubber strap for my Seiko — a third party one, with the steel insert at the lug end.
But… what if the curve doesn’t match? Will my luck hold?
I like delug too, but find their customers support lacking.
The straps they sell are gorgeous, undeniably. 👌😍
However, as someone who loves all sorts of leather goods, I can't help but feel their prices are unreasonable for the amount of raw materials and craftsmanship compared to, say, a pair of heritage boots. $95 for 40cm² of cheap suede is taking advantage of wealthy consumers desensitized to the real value of leather after spending thousands on a watch in my opinion. Or $145 for $2 worth of molded rubber and $20 of clasp. C'mon now... 🙄
You can find bespoke straps with better leather for half the price they are asking, from small artisans who don't have the scale of the Delugs factory.
If the stock strap/bracelet is bad it's a point of consideration, but not a deal breaker!!!
You can buy cheap NATO's for less than €10
The straps they sell are gorgeous, undeniably. 👌😍
However, as someone who loves all sorts of leather goods, I can't help but feel their prices are unreasonable for the amount of raw materials and craftsmanship compared to, say, a pair of heritage boots. $95 for 40cm² of cheap suede is taking advantage of wealthy consumers desensitized to the real value of leather after spending thousands on a watch in my opinion. Or $145 for $2 worth of molded rubber and $20 of clasp. C'mon now... 🙄
You can find bespoke straps with better leather for half the price they are asking, from small artisans who don't have the scale of the Delugs factory.
Well put... But that the struggle that I face too. I wanted to get reasonable strap options. And so far I haven't been able to find good and reasonable one.
Maybe with exception to Christopher ward straps. Which is so far reasonable price and good quality
Oh I love a good messing with straps, my wife commented the other day 'how many straps do you need' I replied at least 10 for each watch, so that will be 50 straps she said 'more like 500'. She's nearer the mark 😅
I am big on strap changes. Problem is, I also really like the curved end fitted look, or borrowing looks from other watches, so sometimes that is a bit of a potentially expensive gamble.
Atm I am considering getting an Aqua Terra style rubber strap for my Seiko — a third party one, with the steel insert at the lug end.
But… what if the curve doesn’t match? Will my luck hold?
Many a happy hour with a dremmel, and praying you don't get the dreaded gap or even worse the rattle. Good luck 🤞
I've often replaces straps or bracelets, though the factory one is part of the buying decision. I often t like the idea of the "original" strap/bracelet" but I also have no problem replacing it if it just doesn't work.
That Axwell 😍
Many a happy hour with a dremmel, and praying you don't get the dreaded gap or even worse the rattle. Good luck 🤞
Lol.
I guess I should add that to my list of ‘reasons to buy a dremel’. (Or, you know, a dremel homage.)
I so far don’t think I’ve found the perfect strap for this gold zenith - any ideas welcome :)
I'd say a matt really dark brown, crocodile leather will work amazingly well on this.
Like this one Vacheron use.
https://www.vacheron-constantin.com/gb/en/collections/historiques/5000h-000r-b059.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw8NilBhDOARIsAHzpbLAyko24iWhy63j4-a014z7FKADcd5B-ofHEczIS20-4R6173djHgV0aAjtBEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
The right strap can make or break the aesthetic for me.
When I started collecting, I quickly bought a dozen different straps in 18 and 22mm to experiment with my tastes and match different dials, outfits or mood. Some pairings made me fall in love with my watches even more than when I first got them! 😍
I like to mess around with the Delugs strap finder tool to try different combinations of textures, stitching and colors for inspirations, even though I'd probably never buy one of their expensive straps. 😅
White dials with grey suede and midnight blue are my current favorites:
And for dark faces I love a warm cognac leather:
And of course the timeless SKX + grey NATO:
Totally agree with you that the straps do changes the way we wear our watches! Very nice pairings you’ve got 😍
I so far don’t think I’ve found the perfect strap for this gold zenith - any ideas welcome :)
Yes small collection with more strap options helps keep the collection to just a few watches 😊
Heard a lot of good things with Barton straps. Good quality and nice designs. Must give it a try someday 👍
I'd say I'm mostly straps. Have a few metal bracelet/integrated bracelet watches. But they get hot, and not as easily to adjust, unless they have a diver/micro extension.
TBH, I will combo any strap with any head/dial. Long as the colors are close to complimentary on a color wheel and it's fun. One way to bring some pop, fun, or personality to a tool watch, throw it on a graphic strap. I've found it's also a good way to have some personality shine through when in uniform (don't really care if it's in regs or not...🤪) I also like me some good drab colors too.
Very Rad strap choices!!! Haha don’t think I’ll be able to pull those off 😅. They look good with your watches👍
I am big on strap changes. Problem is, I also really like the curved end fitted look, or borrowing looks from other watches, so sometimes that is a bit of a potentially expensive gamble.
Atm I am considering getting an Aqua Terra style rubber strap for my Seiko — a third party one, with the steel insert at the lug end.
But… what if the curve doesn’t match? Will my luck hold?
I guess you pose that question here on WC platform. I’m sure some experts can help you with that fitting
Totally agree with you that the straps do changes the way we wear our watches! Very nice pairings you’ve got 😍
They are not my photos, just some of my favorites I saved while scrolling on Instagram. But I do use them as references and try to reproduce the same pairings with my collection. 😜
Very Rad strap choices!!! Haha don’t think I’ll be able to pull those off 😅. They look good with your watches👍
I believe anyone can. Who cares about what others think, having a fun strap makes me smile, and let's one add personality without being obvious.
If the stock strap/bracelet is bad it's a point of consideration, but not a deal breaker!!!
You can buy cheap NATO's for less than €10
I have a few cheap natos😬
Oh I love a good messing with straps, my wife commented the other day 'how many straps do you need' I replied at least 10 for each watch, so that will be 50 straps she said 'more like 500'. She's nearer the mark 😅
Haha same with mine😅
I guess you pose that question here on WC platform. I’m sure some experts can help you with that fitting
I do not think I will be chancing it just yet, but people have already weighed in. Helpful place this.
Really my post was about suggesting strap options beyond Nato, Archer, Burton, that sort of thing.
I'd say I'm mostly straps. Have a few metal bracelet/integrated bracelet watches. But they get hot, and not as easily to adjust, unless they have a diver/micro extension.
TBH, I will combo any strap with any head/dial. Long as the colors are close to complimentary on a color wheel and it's fun. One way to bring some pop, fun, or personality to a tool watch, throw it on a graphic strap. I've found it's also a good way to have some personality shine through when in uniform (don't really care if it's in regs or not...🤪) I also like me some good drab colors too.
Cool NATO straps. Where do you get them?
Cool NATO straps. Where do you get them?
The graphic printed ones are from CNS watch straps.
The Ranger Green and Green with tan stitch are Zulu Alpha.
The orange one was what came on my wife's Electric Diver lol.
Rest are from Crown and Buckle.
I'd say I'm mostly straps. Have a few metal bracelet/integrated bracelet watches. But they get hot, and not as easily to adjust, unless they have a diver/micro extension.
TBH, I will combo any strap with any head/dial. Long as the colors are close to complimentary on a color wheel and it's fun. One way to bring some pop, fun, or personality to a tool watch, throw it on a graphic strap. I've found it's also a good way to have some personality shine through when in uniform (don't really care if it's in regs or not...🤪) I also like me some good drab colors too.
That Lorier on the second strap is a thing of beauty 😍 It really draws out the gold detailing on the dial and hands. Where I think the Khaki on the Tudor style strap clashes with it.
Edit: I just went on to Lorier's website, I didn't realise the Lorier watches were available at this price point, I thought they were £2000 watches! I'm going to have to order one now.... And it's all your fault!
That Lorier on the second strap is a thing of beauty 😍 It really draws out the gold detailing on the dial and hands. Where I think the Khaki on the Tudor style strap clashes with it.
Edit: I just went on to Lorier's website, I didn't realise the Lorier watches were available at this price point, I thought they were £2000 watches! I'm going to have to order one now.... And it's all your fault!
I completely agree. The Lorier Neptune on the Lorier Regimental strap is also very 👌🏻.
Darker greens and tan/gold accents seem to really draw out the dial.
As far as Lorier goes, I'm a fan. They are fast becoming my favorite micro, which is saying something since I've been an unashamed Helm fanboy since 2015.