A lil' bit of Erika by my side
The choice of a strap can sometime make or break a watch, turning it from a prized possession into a desk drawer princess. This is pretty much what happened to me with my first Yema Superman because the extra long lugs created a really large gap with the case, giving the impression that the original tropic strap was hanging on for dear life and was just a breath away from letting go of the lugs.
It also looked f*ing ugly IMO. There, I said it. Moving on.
TGV is the one who first introduced me to Erika's straps during one of his numerous videos on the "flighty", his SNA411 Flightmaster. Erika's green drab version was shown along the NDC, which he preferred, so obviously I had to get them both for my own Flightmaster.
My own conclusions were somewhat different from those of TGV because I thought that the Erika's Originals strap being less bulky, easier to fit, and more comfortable, was overall better than the awkward NDC .
Therefore, it was just natural that I tried Erika's straps to solve my gap problems with the Superman since I remembered the positive experience, and that they offered them in a variety of sizes, colors, and plenty of customization options. So getting one in a 19mm size grey and yellow with bronze hardware was just a click away and it proved to be a correct decision because it redeemed my green Kickstarter steel/bronze Superman and turned it back into one of the watches that I favor. Another Erika's straps was obviously bought again when I got my second Superman, but this time I went for the drab military green with a red strip and also added a small French tricolor to remind myself that I was actually born there.
The fourth strap from Erika was bought to save the Lorier Safari. TGV preference for the NDC with the SNA411, and his unhealthy fetish with pseudo military tropes warned me that his infatuation with WCWC straps was doomed to result in a bad combination and my predictions were correct: The original perlon strap was such a disaster that I can't blame anyone who decided to bin the Safari just because of how the strap looked and felt on the wrist.
Erika's Originals is a company that offers a good purchase experience. Their products are able to redeem problematic watches and they are comfortable on the wrist and able to adapt easily to changes. The only downside is the price which is on the higher side of the scale, but in my case they proved themselves to be worth it.
I'm a big fan of watches that are interesting because they are either unique, have interesting features, well designed or simply offer a great value for their price.
I have four Erika's straps, each one is a masterclass in strap comfort.
Erika's straps cost more than cheap straps, but they are worth every penny. They are elastic, but not too elastic.
shrugs
When Oris uses Erika's strap for one of their LE Okavango Air Rescue you know damn well the product is good.
I love the Erika's over the NDC, in fact I think the NDC is really over rated.
I'll chime in here with a ditto on Erika's straps. They are great.
Love what you did with the Yema - that looks fantastic! The drab military green and the red stripe just make the watch pop. Nicely done!
That is a a perfect combo 🔥
I had bought one strap from Erika's years ago and was very happy with it. But, because it's so much expensive than other straps, I tried lots and lots of affordable MN style straps - only to conclude that Erika's is a league of their own for me..
I love the Erika's over the NDC, in fact I think the NDC is really over rated.
I concur. I tried the NDC strap and didn't like it.
I'll chime in here with a ditto on Erika's straps. They are great.
Love what you did with the Yema - that looks fantastic! The drab military green and the red stripe just make the watch pop. Nicely done!
One of the good things about Erika's Originals is that they have a wide range of size, colors and customization options. It's easy to find the best fit for any watch.
I keep reading about her straps. I need to check them out. Right now, I'm hunting all over the place for various adapters for my Casios.
Nice review I agree soft straps have saved a couple of watches for me. Understand Erica’s are among the best. I like her‘s a lot and have also had good luck with Mankey, which suffer from being hard to get. Here’s a Citizen saved from its awful OG bracelet
Looks awesome on that strap! I bought the bronze and steel, and immediately took it off the leather it came on and only wore it on natos. That case just seems like it needs to be on a nato. Also, it took care of the issue of the sharp edges on the case back engraving.
Have you had any issues with your Superman at all? The threads on my crown stripped after about a year and a half and now it just sits in a drawer (I’ve been a little lazy on getting it sent in for a replacement crown). Just wondering.
Looks awesome on that strap! I bought the bronze and steel, and immediately took it off the leather it came on and only wore it on natos. That case just seems like it needs to be on a nato. Also, it took care of the issue of the sharp edges on the case back engraving.
Have you had any issues with your Superman at all? The threads on my crown stripped after about a year and a half and now it just sits in a drawer (I’ve been a little lazy on getting it sent in for a replacement crown). Just wondering.
I hate NATO straps and I'll let you on a little secret. Number if years I spent in the army: Close to 5. Number of time I saw a fellow soldier wearing a watch on a NATO strap: 0.
The only issue I had with my Superman was mentioned in the review I wrote here on my two Superman and it didn't involve the crown. But to be honest I don't use the crown a lot. From my single experience, the service of Yema is fine and fast and compare well with other brands. YMMV of course.
It’s sometimes worth trying new and different spring bars with NATO/Zulu/MN straps. Thicker ones can bring the strap up to the bezel, and curved ones (like Omega use) can bring it to pass through lower, depending on taste and fit. And how high you want the watch to feel.
Thanks for this review. Just ordered one!
Holy crap! I never in my life thought I'd read a "Mambo #5" lyric in the headline of a Watchcrunch post.
Well played, sir. Well played indeed.
Holy crap! I never in my life thought I'd read a "Mambo #5" lyric in the headline of a Watchcrunch post.
Well played, sir. Well played indeed.
I was wondering who will be the first to spot it.
I just dropped in to say that your quote of Mamba No. 5 in the title of this post constitutes a war crime.
I just dropped in to say that your quote of Mamba No. 5 in the title of this post constitutes a war crime.
I checked with my propagandist and he confirmed that it's not a war crime because it is used only against hardened military targets, the yield is below 10Kt and the radiation is supposed to drop to safe levels within the next thousand years.
I have two Erika’s and they are basically the best strap in the market. I did a lengthy review a while back on a number of nato and similar style straps and they came out on top for sure.
I have two Erika’s and they are basically the best strap in the market. I did a lengthy review a while back on a number of nato and similar style straps and they came out on top for sure.
I had the opportunity to communicate with the owner to clear some issues on one of my orders. I was impressed that she took the time to contact me and that she made sure that the final details conformed to what I really wanted. It's one thing to sell a good product but making the customer feel that he is valued is on another level.
I had the opportunity to communicate with the owner to clear some issues on one of my orders. I was impressed that she took the time to contact me and that she made sure that the final details conformed to what I really wanted. It's one thing to sell a good product but making the customer feel that he is valued is on another level.
I met Erika at the wind up watch show a couple years Ago. Top notch!
I like your Doxa. Was it originally bought with a bracelet?
Anyone seen the Max versions on Amazon? I don’t really have anything to compare them to but they’re £20; over 500 positive reviews (with many comparing them to their much more expensive cousin).
super comfortable and am struggling to work out how it could be improved 4 fold to justify price.
Anyone seen the Max versions on Amazon? I don’t really have anything to compare them to but they’re £20; over 500 positive reviews (with many comparing them to their much more expensive cousin).
super comfortable and am struggling to work out how it could be improved 4 fold to justify price.
You are correct in assuming that the law of diminishing return will apply also to straps and that a 4 fold increase in price is not going to deliver the same increase in comfort and quality.
OTOH, I also happen to be a VINE voice at Amazon and the reason for this title is due to the absurdly high ratio of fake or fluff reviews on product pages. Your personal experience withstanding, positive reviews comparing a product priced at X to another priced at 4X and claiming that they are identical or equivalent should be taken with the same amount of skepticism as online reviews from influencers claiming they received more compliment for their (insert name of dreck) than they did when they wore their Rolex.
Well I’ll keep you guys updated. At the moment I can’t fault the thing what so ever.
I imagine it will be longevity where they’ll be issues so we’ll see. Live the style of strap though .