You get a new watch and you don't like the strap, so you...

There's no wrong answer here.

"Any watch can be NATO'd"

• James Bond, probably

It's funny, when I got into watches I really didn't get why so many people liked NATOs.

Now I do! Though to be fair I only like single pass.

Agreed.

If I like a particular variant of the double pass, I cut the offending, unneeded strap off, seal with a torch/lighter and make it a single pass.

Do this to even some pricier side NATO's actually.

"A single pass strap is better, in every way, to the borish double pass."

• Also James Bond, probably after making the first single pass

Change the strap to one you do like 🤷 You bought the watch because.....

This is a strange question. If you don't like the strap a watch comes on, you...change the strap. You bought a watch, not a strap with a timekeeper attached to it 🤷🏼‍♂️

I don't really think about the strap when I'm buying, I change them regularly as a matter of course anyway.

I almost never include the strap/bracelet of a watch into my decision on buying a watch. Assuming I can actually swap the strap out on said watch.

A watch with a great strap is just a bonus to me, as I will likely change it at some point anyways, just to switch things up! Pretty much none of my watches are always on the same strap.

Not sure if by strap you mean bracelet . If it is a strap, def try a few, if it is the bracelet, it goes right back in the box and I’ll never wear it again.

This happened to me and a Tudor, I couldn’t get the right length on the bracelet bc it didn’t have micro adjustments or half links. I put it in the box, back in the safe for over a year and finally sold or traded it, I don’t even rember to be honest I was so bummed and had placed it out of my mind.

I always buy a watch with the bracelet and then play with straps once I grow tired of the bracelet. However some of my pieces live on the bracelet. My Speedy (3861) for example, such a strap monster but I always go back to the bullet bracelet, it’s prob my fav bracelet design of all time and pairs perfectly.

D - Don't buy it in the first place!

I always want to yell at the computer when I see someone selling a watch they otherwise love based on strap (or even bracelet . . . granted some are pricey) alone. Options exist! Make the watch your own by exploring straps and other bracelets. That said, it does seem like many collectors don't even think of this which is wild. Not too surprising though considering people do the same thing with actual living creatures "Love my dog, but I wish he had a bit more brown coloring. Off to the shelter!"

I think that option depends too highly on your access to watches. Some you simply cannot see in person first depending on where you live.

If the bracelet is good I’ll keep it on the bracelet, otherwise I don’t think I’ve ever kept a watch on the original strap. I like those unpadded textured leather straps so most watches go on one of those

I always swap straps, and love quick change straps in particular. When buying a watch the strap is almost unimportant. The watch is the important thing, or I wouldn’t have bought it.

I'm one of those with 20 or so extra straps. Yep, mostly trial & error (and some curiosity). But also, some good alternatives when I want to change things up.

However, if I had to, I could lock down on one. I have a few VGreen straps. They're hands down my favorite. The pic is my latest. Called nubuck alligator.

Well, I see your point. Fortunately for the two of us, seeing major brands shouldn't be a problem as you are in Vegas and me in the ATL.

When it comes to obscure brands, like Mido in the USA for instance, typically you take a chance. I lusted after a 200C in green but held back as I had never seen Mido in person. On a trip I had the chance to see the brand, albeit not that particular model, but it did afford me the opportunity to experience their product quality for a moment. That was enough to instill confidence to buy the the 200C without having seen it and I eventually did and am quite happy with it.

Micro brands are similar. Experiencing them in person is best accomplished at a watch show, like Wind Up Watch Fair or Intersect, but on line only will only give you a good idea, not necessarily the reality. Sometimes you have to travel to a show, like we did last year for WUWF Chicago.

But if you question the strap from pictures but go ahead and order anyway, maybe you should have reconsidered. Experience cannot be overvalued. 😀

Agree on your point about experience. In fact I may now be at the point where I do not purchase a watch I cannot see in person first. Been burned too many times.

I also think I now would never buy a watch the first time I'm seeing it, meaning on the spot for a model I didn't know of beforehand. Measure twice, cut once!

The strap or bracelet usually factors into my purchase decision. So less likely to be changing that for a new watch.

Where it mostly comes into play is with vintage watches where it's generally not about the strap or bracelet unless it's an original signed version.