Artem Straps - worth it?
I see a lot of YouTube videos praising the quality and looks of the Artem straps. However, they cost a decent $$$. I always exercise caution and skepticism when it comes to reviews of watches/straps provided for free by the manufacturer.
I wonder:
Are Artem straps really worth it? If anybody has one, what are your thoughts?
Is the Hydroflex superior to the sailcloth to justify the even higher $$$
Does the sailcloth really break in? My experience with sailcloth has not been very reassuring.
Assuming Artem makes sense, is the loop less strap justified, in particular for small wrists?
Any sailcloth straps out there that have good quality and look premium, whilst costing less. (Barton doesn’t count. It is the ultimate you get what you pay for.
Any other comments?
Learned to love watches growing up in Rio. Continue to love watches, now in San Francisco
I've got a couple of Archer canvas straps that are ok. But decent sailcloth seems to cost a bit. Zuludiver do some acceptable ones IMO.
I did a review on the straps. I prefer the sailcloth pin/buckle. The sailcloth is far and away THE best strap I’ve worn. I’ve put it on my Wise Adamascus AD8 and it will always be with this watch. Outstanding product and value.
Fantastic Sail Cloth Straps: Artem
https://youtu.be/ZuJkLeVZHF0
If you are open to a lower cost alternative consider @StrapHabit! I just got this strap yesterday. It didn’t need much to break in to be comfortable. This is my first sail cloth strap and its great!
If you are open to a lower cost alternative consider @StrapHabit! I just got this strap yesterday. It didn’t need much to break in to be comfortable. This is my first sail cloth strap and its great!
Thank you as always!!!
My Take. This is my struggle trying to find the strap for my SLA043 with 19mm lug width.
Are Artem straps really worth it? If anybody has one, what are your thoughts?
For my small wrist (16 mm), their standard sailcloth did not work. Their 20 mm Short is too short, 66mm for the short buckle portion is an odd length. The standard length strap did not have enough holes for me. The 19mm strap came only in standard lengths. They also charge extra for the short strap.
Quality wise, I think they're well made. Their padding was stiff and didn't quite want to conform to my wrist.
2. Is the Hydroflex superior to the sailcloth to justify the even higher $$$
The Hydroflex is a better strap, softer, and more comfortable. The material is different from their standard model. BTW, there is nothing sailcloth about it. The lengths of the strap is a better fit for me, but probably not long enough for larger wrists.
3. Does the sailcloth really break in? My experience with sailcloth has not been very reassuring.
Artem straps are not conventional sailcloth. They're some type of hybrid material.
4. Assuming Artem makes sense, is the loop less strap justified, in particular for small wrists?
I put their short strap on their RM folding clasp for a day and took it off right when I got home. Quite uncomfortable for me. I don't know about the loopless straps.
5. Any sailcloth straps out there that have good quality and look premium, whilst costing less. (Barton doesn’t count. It is the ultimate you get what you pay for.
As of right now, I don't know any other quality straps. If your watch is above $1000, it's worthwhile, but I would not recommend them for less expensive watches. I conceded and end up buying the Hydroflex and I am enjoying it.
In a word? No.
They are popular amongst the community because they give them away to just about every “reviewer,“ as a result many channels and blogs start with them as an early review. Shockingly, we get a lot of positive reviews as a result. That practice alone puts me off the brand.
Their straps are good and worth a premium over cheap ones on Amazon, but as others pointed out they are not sailcloth, and not worth the premium they are asking. For my money, I prefer FinWatchStraps “sailcloth” straps, but that is personal preference.
I only have experience with leather straps. There the price is very random and it's all about marketing. Some of the companies with competitively priced top quality products aren't great at marketing (RIOS1931, Di Modell, both small traditional German companies).
My Take. This is my struggle trying to find the strap for my SLA043 with 19mm lug width.
Are Artem straps really worth it? If anybody has one, what are your thoughts?
For my small wrist (16 mm), their standard sailcloth did not work. Their 20 mm Short is too short, 66mm for the short buckle portion is an odd length. The standard length strap did not have enough holes for me. The 19mm strap came only in standard lengths. They also charge extra for the short strap.
Quality wise, I think they're well made. Their padding was stiff and didn't quite want to conform to my wrist.
2. Is the Hydroflex superior to the sailcloth to justify the even higher $$$
The Hydroflex is a better strap, softer, and more comfortable. The material is different from their standard model. BTW, there is nothing sailcloth about it. The lengths of the strap is a better fit for me, but probably not long enough for larger wrists.
3. Does the sailcloth really break in? My experience with sailcloth has not been very reassuring.
Artem straps are not conventional sailcloth. They're some type of hybrid material.
4. Assuming Artem makes sense, is the loop less strap justified, in particular for small wrists?
I put their short strap on their RM folding clasp for a day and took it off right when I got home. Quite uncomfortable for me. I don't know about the loopless straps.
5. Any sailcloth straps out there that have good quality and look premium, whilst costing less. (Barton doesn’t count. It is the ultimate you get what you pay for.
As of right now, I don't know any other quality straps. If your watch is above $1000, it's worthwhile, but I would not recommend them for less expensive watches. I conceded and end up buying the Hydroflex and I am enjoying it.
My wrist is the same size as yours, 16cm. Sounds like the sailcloth is not a good size fit but the hydroflex is. Did I get it right?
My wrist is the same size as yours, 16cm. Sounds like the sailcloth is not a good size fit but the hydroflex is. Did I get it right?
Yes. The Hydroflex will fit better and be much more comfortable, however, twice the price.
My wrist is the same size as yours, 16cm. Sounds like the sailcloth is not a good size fit but the hydroflex is. Did I get it right?
I’d agree, my wrist is over 17cm and I’m on the final strap hole, these straps are meant for larger wrists