Thoughts on how aftermarket straps/bracelets can enhance your watch?
Any Spaghetti Western fans on WC? You know that scene in The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly after Clint has left Eli Wallach to die in the desert? Eli makes his way to a town and finds the local gunsmith who shows him various 'off the shelf' models of Colt, S&W etc. But Eli is a discerning man, and nothing meets his needs. Instead, he starts disassembling the guns, taking the parts he wants and making a gun to his own specifications. I always thought that was pretty cool (and very forward thinking of gun manufacturers to make interchangeable barrels, trigger guards, etc.) But it seems to have stayed with me and had some effect on my watch buying/watch wearing habits...
I now realise that with very few exceptions (<ahem> integrated bracelets) I almost always swap out straps/bracelets on my watches. I realise that's not unusual in itself but in most cases I tend to find the combination that works for me and stop. Most of my watches are now on their 'forever' strap/bracelet that was bought purposely for that model and that, I seem to feel, cannot be improved upon.
Rob Nudds over at Fratello wrote a great article about how the right bracelet can transform the wearer's relationship with their watch and I feel this is true and something that more enthusiasts should embrace. I still hear many people say they haven't or won't buy a watch because they don't like the look/feel of the manufacturer's strap or bracelet. As Rob notes, the cost of a replacement, even a high-end option, is usually a fraction of the cost of the watch itself, so why would you let this stop you buying something you love? Added bonus: odds are, once you've put that watch on an aftermarket strap/bracelet you will be wearing something unique.
So: thoughts on getting creative with your watch set-ups? Any pictures of original watch/strap combos to share? Any Sergio Leone fans in the house?
BTW you can read the Fratello article via this link: https://www.fratellowatches.com/the-magic-of-forstner-how-the-right-bracelet-can-transform-a-watch/
Watch obsessive who believes smaller and cleaner trumps bigger and flashier. Much first hand love for Tudor, Grand Seiko, Longines, Oris, Hamilton, etc. while pining from afar for Rolex, Patek, VC, et...
For me, most watches I own under $1500 immediately get their cheap strap/bracelet replaced. There are some exceptions, but for the most part buying a watch in that range includes the fun of buying a strap.
Great minds thing alike as I immediately thought Bonklip despite still not having one myself. No photos as the watch in question is still in for repair, but throwing a Milanese band salvaged from some free promotional watch totally spruced up both my Soviet Pobeda and the lowly Timex Easy Reader. I had great hopes for the bracelet from a 90's Casio that had this cool perforated sheet metal motif but it was 19mm and attempts to grind it down did not go so well.
Great minds thing alike as I immediately thought Bonklip despite still not having one myself. No photos as the watch in question is still in for repair, but throwing a Milanese band salvaged from some free promotional watch totally spruced up both my Soviet Pobeda and the lowly Timex Easy Reader. I had great hopes for the bracelet from a 90's Casio that had this cool perforated sheet metal motif but it was 19mm and attempts to grind it down did not go so well.
Thanks Oscar. The Forstner Kilp has been a revelation and something I can see buying several of. Never tried getting hands on with modding a bracelet size but sounds like I’m not missing much :)
My KS didn’t come with a bracelet and the correct one isn’t easy to find (and honestly, the end links don’t look that well fitted anyway). I didn’t wear it very much on dressy straps when I got it. Then, found this vintage Bambi bracelet from the same era, and the flat center links I think match the polished surfaces of the watch pretty well. With the bracelet on its much more sporty, I wear it all the time.
Definitely a Sergio Leone, classics. Love playing with straps, bracelets. Can totally transform a watch, fit the occasion,setting and even mood. I spend far too much time on 'accessorising' watches as a normal person should (mind you I'm in the right place gor it on here)
I have switched the straps on almost all of my watches, then most of them stay on whatever strap I switch them to.
My most worn watches go on Erika's Original MN straps.
I have a substantial number of watches and an even bigger pile of straps, bands & bracelets. I store my watches w/o bands - so I have to decide for a new combo every time I wear any given watch.
Oh yes, I'm a great admirer of Sergio Leone trilogy about the man without name and anyone sharing this interest owe it to himself to get the BD of "The Moriccone Duel: The most dangerous concert ever". It's a performance of many of the soundtracks composed by Moriccone for iconic movies, among them The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.
https://youtu.be/enuOArEfqGo
As for straps: Changing them is fun and sometime it's also the only way to redeem a problematic watch. I experienced that with my SPB147 and it's terrible OEM rubber strap, and with the Yema Superman before. So far, all the Yema I got came with very disappointing straps and I heard that the bracelets are nothing to write home about either. In the case of the Superman the problem was caused by the long lugs that created a huge gap between the strap and the case.
For me the solution came from Erika's Originals and their Mirage strap that was able to turn the bronze/steel Superman back from an unloved drawer princess to a favored watch.
Im with you - there's a reason bands are considered "accessories" and not "watch parts" by the industry. I've got 50 odd watches in my collection and perhaps 10 are on the stock band.
Think of the car industry. You have no problem putting new wheels on your car. It's the same thing as changing your strap.
Oh yes, I'm a great admirer of Sergio Leone trilogy about the man without name and anyone sharing this interest owe it to himself to get the BD of "The Moriccone Duel: The most dangerous concert ever". It's a performance of many of the soundtracks composed by Moriccone for iconic movies, among them The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.
https://youtu.be/enuOArEfqGo
As for straps: Changing them is fun and sometime it's also the only way to redeem a problematic watch. I experienced that with my SPB147 and it's terrible OEM rubber strap, and with the Yema Superman before. So far, all the Yema I got came with very disappointing straps and I heard that the bracelets are nothing to write home about either. In the case of the Superman the problem was caused by the long lugs that created a huge gap between the strap and the case.
For me the solution came from Erika's Originals and their Mirage strap that was able to turn the bronze/steel Superman back from an unloved drawer princess to a favored watch.
Thanks, Catskinner. I clearly need to look into Erika's Originals straps. I wear a Hamilton Field Khaki Mechanical on a cheap NATO that could do with an upgrade...
Thanks, Catskinner. I clearly need to look into Erika's Originals straps. I wear a Hamilton Field Khaki Mechanical on a cheap NATO that could do with an upgrade...
I hate NATO straps with a passion, OTOH I do like Erika's Originals a lot.
I own many many many straps but I also tend to find one that works and stick with it. It just takes a lot of searching to find the one that works! I went through dozens of straps and bracelets before I finally got the Forstner 1450 and that was it for me. It’s nice to find that perfect combo.
But then I do have an Erika’s Original for each one of my watches except the GMT Master II which has never been off the Jubilee.
I fully agree - find the strap that suits your watch and your style. That is what is fun about a number of vintage watches...many are on replacement straps/bracelets already so you don't feel bad about swapping them out for something different.
Nivada Grenchen has done a fabulous job with their watches as they offer a huge selection of strap/bracelet choices when purchasing the watch - the bracelets are all made by Forstner and look fantastic.
Here are a few of my favorite swaps...
Casio World Time on Vario's military green bund strap
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical on Lorier NATO
Accutron SpaceView 2020 Limited Edition on Accutron green alligator replacement strap
Baltic Aquascaphe on a Watch Gecko NATO
Bulova Chronograph A "Surfboard" on Amazon NATO
Casio Duro Blue on blue silicone strap from Amazon
Farer Bernina Gran Turismo on custom blue/red rally strap from Strapped For Time
Farer Cobb on yellow rally strap from LocalTime
Islander Rally Gulf on Amazon Gulf NATO
Maurice De Mauriac Le Mans Orange Chronograph on custom Gulf Rally strap from Mansarea
Minerva Chronograph (1947) on blue alligator strap from RIOS1931
I could keep going, but I think this makes the point you articulated so well at the beginning of this post.
So many choices to experiment with...I suggest anyone looking for some strap options to check out an earlier thread with links to a variety of different watch strap/bracelet vendors...
https://www.watchcrunch.com/ChronoGuy/posts/what-are-your-favorite-vendors-for-watch-straps-9457