Whats your thoughts on watches that cannot accept strap changes?

Absolutely!

With all the good watches available in the marketplace, I’m not at all inclined to buy one that doesn’t allow me to install a band of my choosing.  

Yes!

I think it really depends where it fits into the collection.   As a primary watch or maybe the only diver ... I might prefer having the flexibility of more strap options.   But if it compliments other watches it could be fine. 

I tried on the FXD last month.   I'm typically not entertaining anything over 40mm but the FXD wears so well.  Especially how with the titanium case. 

Fixed lugs are fine for a watch with military pretensions, or very vintage ones. Theoretically one is not limited to straps, as open ended bands that get glued shut around the lugs are a thing. Or one could do a Bund strap if they're into that sort of thing.

But generally I steer clear of any proprietary band system (Swatch) and even less common widths.

Well said, agreed. 

I’m ok with it. it makes that piece a little unique.

Just here to post my much loved CWC.  Haha. 

I feel like it would work as long as you’re comfortable with wearing NATOs. That said, NATOs offer a lot of versatility.

for example, I’m not a bracelet person, so I would not buy an integrated bracelet watch that would be limited to wearing on a proprietary bracelet. watches with fixed bars could host seatbelt/ribbed NATOs, leather NATOs, perlon, a nick Mankey hook strap - there are lots of options for different colors and textures. 

for me, fixed spring bars offer MUCH more versatility than an integrated bracelet would offer, so yes, I’m a fan. Especially of that FXD! 

I have a 21mm lugged watch, which is bad enough, but I just acquired a watch with 23mm lugs! 😑👎

I have bought a watch with fixed lugs, my Marathon Navigator. 

For me, the intended use of a design is almost as important as features themselves. For a military watch fixed lugs make sense, it adds durability, and security. 

Would I buy a dress watch, or "everyday" watch with fixed lugs? No. Though I would wear a fixed lug military watch as an "everyday" watch... 

In the case of the Pelagos FXD, I would definitely consider it if I was shopping at that end of the market. 

Absolute deal breaker for me. I went through my NATO phase and I’m done now. I don’t want anything going under the watch.

I was interested in checking out the Omega Ultra Deep. I know, it’s ginormous, but they do have a Titanium version, so I thought that might be the way to go. Still big as a microwave, but maybe not too heavy? Then I saw the lugs.

What in the actual $&@! am I supposed to with that? It’s already like 18mm thick BEFORE passing a strap under it.

Needless to say, my curiosity is done.

I love my FXD, got it last week and have been wearing it everyday. That being said I wear a MN strap on just about all of my watches. I am a casual guy who spends most of my time outdoors so they fit my lifestyle well. I would highly recommend the FXD to anyone, it wears much better on my wrist than the regular Pelagos. 

I’ve a Bertucci A-2S, which has fixed lugs, and I think it works really well. Like folks said upthread, though, it’s a military style field watch, so this Zulu strap is pretty much exactly what you’d expect it to be on.

With watches like the fxd and cwc, I kind of like it but when brands go "we're going to make this lug width 21mm. Why? Cause f*ck you. That's why" then that annoys me. It's never been a deal breaker though

All those people unhappy with this clearly not going to buy trench watches or ex-military, keeps the prices down a little bit longer. As you were…

I should post a picture of granny's watch. It is a tiny little unmarked thing, apparently from the 1920's, with fixed lugs and the remnant of a ~3/8" wide ribbon that was hand-stitched on and presumably had some slide fastener. The clearance is very narrow, so even a 10mm NATO won't fit in there.

Should I ever get the dial cleaned up, figuring out how to, you know, make it wearable will be a separate quest. Any pointers on that would be welcome.

I would be very into the pelagos fxd if it was just a bit smaller. I love natos and it's a cool way to make them easy to switch out

I would post a picture - and pop the back. Movement will be interesting and the real test of whether it’s something the potential get restored.

Here's the only photo I have on me...

I had one place look at it. It runs but is a few minutes off a day. They said $500 (I think they like replacing mainsprings or something) and didn't see a name on the movement.

Normally, yes I would consider this before the purchase, nothing like swapping out the strap to change up the look of the watch or give new life to a watch they may be getting neglected at the back of the watch box or draw. But having just bought a Tissot PRX, as you know, with a integrated bracelet and that bracelet being so comfortable I am happy to leave the watch the way it is, well until I get sick of it and the whole watch gets flipped 😜

I think it depends on the style of the watch as others have suggested. A dress watch like the PRX with limitations of strap changes wouldn't concern most I would think, it's the style and design of the watch. But with a diver or tool watch the option to change out the strap to a bracelet or a Nato, personally I think is a must 👍

Looks really good on you Peter! May I ask what your wrist size is? 

18cm..sorry for the LATE reply..just saw this

I'm pretty much exclusively a NATO wearer everyday so I'd like all watches to have fixed springbars, or at least screw in. Traditional springbars seem so primative ....

Erika's straps!