Crafter Blue C13 on a Seiko SPB185 Review
Don't do it.
Just..... don't.
I've been looking for a fitted rubber strap for the Seiko SPB185 for some time. Straight end straps don't integrate with the watch very well and the way the lugs are shaped and the location of the drillings for the strap pins, anything unfitted leaves a lot of the side of the watch on display and it looks like you have the wrong strap on the watch. Like this;
For what it's worth, after struggling to get the Crafter Blue strap onto the watch for way too long, it came off again in minutes and the original strap went back on.
I have a bigger wrist, 7 3/4", but I was far from the last hole in the Crafter Blue strap so it should be compatible with wrists that are as big as there are holes for, right?
But this is what it looks like on my wrist:
The strap uncomfortably digs into the sides of my wrist while being so loose that it sits proud of my wrist. Not. Comfortable. The problem is, despite being a relatively soft rubber, the lug ends are stiff and thick and articulated in a way that the strap pretty much points straight down from the lugs.
It feels like a well made strap. I think if your wrists are under 6 1/2" it might fit better, but regardless of the size of your wrist, the strap is NOT as flexible as the material would suggest and even a smaller wrist won't fit the strap if your wrist is more oval than round.
Oh, and it's not particularly cheap either. It's $65US plus shipping with usual discounts available from time to time. I'm in Canada so my discount was pretty much the same as the shipping for me so it was a push. It came with a fancy, credit card like warranty card which, well, would you keep it? Seems wasteful in a time when we're trying to reduce plastic waste and even if it was pennies to make, I'd rather save pennies on the strap than have a Crafter Blue credit card type warranty card.
I'm trying to be polite about the fit, but I HATED it. I've done the reading I should have done before ordering it and there are a lot of people who feel the same way about the downturned strap fitting terribly. It's not like some rubber tropical straps where you can put it in boiling water and shape it. This strap is soft rubber so it is what it is out of the mold and there's no changing it. It looks great. it fits the SPB very well. But it's a terrible strap. Do not buy. (unless you want to buy this one. I'm in Vancouver BC. I'll give you a good price....)
Crafter Blue C13 on a Seiko SPB185 Review
Yes
No
- looks good
- fits watch well
- it's black?
- bad design/too stiff and bad shape
- uncomfortable for most to wear
- digs into wrist
Isn’t the C13 made for the older MM200? I’ve seen people have the same experience fitting it on the newer version but some say it fits perfect somehow 😂
Isn’t the C13 made for the older MM200? I’ve seen people have the same experience fitting it on the newer version but some say it fits perfect somehow 😂
It's not specifically designed for the SPB185, but like you say, others review it saying it works. My problem is, I searched "does Crafter Blue fit on SPB185" and, like you've seen, lots of people think it does. I should have searched for "why doesn't Crafter Blue C13 fit on SPB185" and the negative reviews would have shown up.
It does fit on the watch very well. It's tight (which it should be) and the shape of the strap lines up with the lugs and the case shape perfectly. It just points down too aggressively to fit big wristed people (and probably most small wristed people too)
It's not specifically designed for the SPB185, but like you say, others review it saying it works. My problem is, I searched "does Crafter Blue fit on SPB185" and, like you've seen, lots of people think it does. I should have searched for "why doesn't Crafter Blue C13 fit on SPB185" and the negative reviews would have shown up.
It does fit on the watch very well. It's tight (which it should be) and the shape of the strap lines up with the lugs and the case shape perfectly. It just points down too aggressively to fit big wristed people (and probably most small wristed people too)
That’s funny, a lot of the reviews I read said that it is hard to get on but that it’s the best strap anyone’s ever tried lol. I think most people just don’t want to admit that they made a mistake.
Same price or even a little less, these straps I purchased from Strapify here in Australia fit perfectly on the watches I have and are very comfortable, no gaps and all of them have solid deployant clasps. I did buy a Crafter Blue strap, but quickly sent it back to the seller on eBay because of the reasons you stated. Just didn't think they were the best quality for the money and the fit on wrist were exactly the same, big gaps at the ends which held the watches up and off my wrist, which looked odd. That's just my experience though with the watches in my collection and the Seiko MM300 I had purchased the strap for.
Here's some picks of the ones I ended up with.
After being burned on the Crafter Blue I'd want to see it on the watch before gambling again but the Strapify ones look good. Is that the Omega strap on your CW? You buy enough straps and you start to recognize which ones come from the same factories. Strapify sells an FKM strap for (all prices CDN) $66 that I can get from a Canadian supplier for $45. Dumb thing is, for a week I could buy them on Etsy for $25 for a few weeks. I've bought from both Etsy and the Canadian guy; they are exactly the same except for the laser etched branding on the buckle. Maybe I just need to get more savvy on AliExpress....
I had a similar experience with Crafter Blue. Bought one for my Samurai specially made for the Samurai. I remember thinking damn that's an expensive rubber strap should be awesome.
I got it and it looked great but after about 2-3 hours of fighting with it off and on I finally got it on the watch, I put on the watch and it popped loose almost immediately. After I minor fit I threw it in the junk drawer and have never looked at it again.
Will never buy anything Crafter Blue again.
I have two crafter blues straps (skx and samurai), but I also have a wrist shape that works for them. They do soften with time and wear, but not a lot.
Thanks for the honest take. Your review, as well as others, have prevented me from making a $65 mistake. Still trying to find that just right <$100 fitted rubber strap alternative.
I like the look, but I've never found a fitted rubber strap that I really liked. I guess the OEM on my Planet Ocean was OK, but I still liked it was better on an Isofrane.
I have two crafter blues straps (skx and samurai), but I also have a wrist shape that works for them. They do soften with time and wear, but not a lot.
Yeah, I suppose they fit someone, or they wouldn't be around anymore? They certainly don't fit me. Oh well. Now I know.
I like the look, but I've never found a fitted rubber strap that I really liked. I guess the OEM on my Planet Ocean was OK, but I still liked it was better on an Isofrane.
I've found many rubber straps I like, but none that are fitted. That's the challenge. I think a lot of other watches look great on generic straps but the SPB185 (and some other Seikos or other brands even) really need that fitted end to make the watch look good. Maybe I'll have to accept that the bracelet is the only way to go with this one....
Thanks for the honest take. Your review, as well as others, have prevented me from making a $65 mistake. Still trying to find that just right <$100 fitted rubber strap alternative.
If you find it, DM me.
I've found many rubber straps I like, but none that are fitted. That's the challenge. I think a lot of other watches look great on generic straps but the SPB185 (and some other Seikos or other brands even) really need that fitted end to make the watch look good. Maybe I'll have to accept that the bracelet is the only way to go with this one....
What about a rubber nato to make it look like the lug holes aren't quite as far down the lug? I don't know about Seiko, but I've seen people create that visual effect with a regular nato on the crazy lugs of a Nomos.
I've never been a fan of any nato straps though what you suggest would be a good way to get closer to the look I want. The SPB185 isn't a super thick watch but it does have some thickness to it at 12.5mm. I wouldn't want to add to that thickness. But maybe I'll try it anyway. Nato straps are cheap. I think I have a couple of take-offs around here somewhere. Hopefully they are 20mm.
I put my Willard on an Artem Strap . Ive got a skinny wrist so it works fine , its a similarly stiff strap at first . Thanks for the revue .