Barton bands - worth the hype?
Anyone who read one of my recent posts about back to front watch purchasing (finding a watch to match a strap rather than the other way around), well I’ve taken the plunge.
This the first Barton I’ve bought and I was always a little wary about the hype that surrounded them. Really….how could a piece of plastic be as supple as many people said? Well I’m eating a huge piece of humble pie for my tea. I would never in my wildest imagination have thought they could be so soft and flexible.
Can’t wait to get the watch now 😂🤣😂🤣
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I have a Barton elite silicon strap and it really is super supple and would happily recommend one to others, also have Archer straps and they are really great as well.
I love their locking keeper that keeps the tail end tucked👍
I have several Barton silicone straps. I’m really pleased with them. Ritchie makes very similar straps as well. Both are excellent for the price!
I found that particular strap hard to close with the locking keeper, but once closed it is comfortable, and not going anywhere.
Barton overall is a mixed bag. I have some straps that I love, others not so much, such as the sailcloth. But there are some I bought over and over.
I tried a Barton Tropic, it was alright but a little stiff. Sounds like I should try the silicon next.
I tried a Barton Tropic, it was alright but a little stiff. Sounds like I should try the silicon next.
Make sure go for the elite. I’m not saying their standard aren’t as supple but I’ve not had experience of them. You get great colour combo’s with the elite too, whereas the standard are just plain single shades.
The white one I got from Amazon. I’d ordered 3 from the US before that and was wary what I would get…..looking forward to their delivery now.
They are very comfortable and good looking. The locking keeper is great!
however, from day one I was quite skeptical about the very thin springbars. The strap itself ripped at the springbars after a few months. I was very surprised as the watch didn’t catch on something at that moment. I was very lucky not to lose my watch. So naturally I lost confidence in the Barton elite silicone strap and i wouldn’t recommend them for heavy watch heads.
i recently bought an Isofrane type vulcanized rubber strap from Borealis. They recently raised their prices, but I think they are still worth it. It gives me a feeling of robustness but is still very comfortable.
Of course the style isn’t as versatile but it suits modern tool watches just fine.
They are very comfortable and good looking. The locking keeper is great!
however, from day one I was quite skeptical about the very thin springbars. The strap itself ripped at the springbars after a few months. I was very surprised as the watch didn’t catch on something at that moment. I was very lucky not to lose my watch. So naturally I lost confidence in the Barton elite silicone strap and i wouldn’t recommend them for heavy watch heads.
i recently bought an Isofrane type vulcanized rubber strap from Borealis. They recently raised their prices, but I think they are still worth it. It gives me a feeling of robustness but is still very comfortable.
That is disappointing to hear. Maybe you were just unlucky but I know how that can put you off something.
I shall be paranoid now 🥴🤪
Of course the style isn’t as versatile but it suits modern tool watches just fine.
I’ve just checked the prices 🫣🫠🤢
That is disappointing to hear. Maybe you were just unlucky but I know how that can put you off something.
I shall be paranoid now 🥴🤪
There are hundreds of good reviews for these straps online. So yeah, I guess I was just unlucky. No need for you to be paranoid.
I’ve just checked the prices 🫣🫠🤢
Yeah. About twice the price of the Barton. ask me about paying 45 Euros for a rubber strap a few month ago and I would have called it crazy. But now that I have experienced it I find it to be absolutely sane. the difference in materials really is that noticeable.
They are very comfortable and good looking. The locking keeper is great!
however, from day one I was quite skeptical about the very thin springbars. The strap itself ripped at the springbars after a few months. I was very surprised as the watch didn’t catch on something at that moment. I was very lucky not to lose my watch. So naturally I lost confidence in the Barton elite silicone strap and i wouldn’t recommend them for heavy watch heads.
i recently bought an Isofrane type vulcanized rubber strap from Borealis. They recently raised their prices, but I think they are still worth it. It gives me a feeling of robustness but is still very comfortable.
I've done a fair amount of research on watch straps (I love researching gear of all sorts), and almost all of the complaints I've read about Barton straps have been related to them not having good longevity.
I have the elite Silicone on 2 of my watches, love them.. Just bought 2 leather ones test driving those soon - I am very pleased
Aren't those bands made out of genuine sheep membrane?
My Tudor BBB has 23mm lugs so there are not a lot of options. I got the RubberB strap, which is super high quality and comfortable, but the strap holes are about 8mm apart which drives me nuts as the two holes I use make the watch fit too tight or too lose.
I bought a Barton strap. I LOVE it. I've now bought like 5 more so I have a ton of color options and they are super easy to swap. Can't believe a $20 strap makes me so much happier than a $240 strap.
Barton makes some nice straps. This one just came in for my Hydroconquest and I could not be more pleased.
I have tried Rubber B and Everest straps, but I find the Barton Elite Silicone straps to be the most comfortable. The last keeper is perfect for keeping it all tucked in. I like that is comes in two sizes, as I have slender wrists.
If they made a made an Elite Silicone with curved ends like Rubber B and Everest, I would buy one of every colour.
I must have been living under a rock as I didn’t know that there is hype around their rubber straps. I have a couple of their canvas straps and they are good, but i wish they were tapered.