Sailcloth strap fail?

Very much personal preference, I prefer rubber straps in hot, humid weather.

Steel bracelet

I've been looking for a sail cloth for a few years because I like the look. Unfortunately, the few I've tried have been more stiff than I like.

My best summer option is a single pass nylon (crown and buckle Chevron is my favorite). I replace a bracelet on some of my divers and leather on one of my field watches every summer with these (then switch back in the fall). Chicago summers get pretty muggy so I really like the breathable nylon.

Second the Crown and Buckle single-pass chevrons. These are my first non-leather straps and I'm liking them very much so far. Very comfortable in warm weather. (Not a diver, but then I don't own any divers.)

https://www.crownandbuckle.com/chevron-adjustable-obsidian-alloy.html

Sure... FYI - I only make this switch on my less expensive watches because I don't want to risk scratching my "better" watches removing and reinstalling bracelets - but that has more to do with my confidence than the straps.

(The RLG is on a different brand that costs 1/3 the price of the C & B, & it works... But I feel the C & B is worth it.)

Throw in the wash?

Single pass straps are the way to go! I’m honestly surprised at how ubiquitous NATO straps are yet single pass straps are so few and limited. I know you can cut NATO straps and turn them into a single pass, but part of me worries about shortening the strap’s longevity

I just ordered a modified Nato from Crown and Buckle - their supreme nato has an option to leave off the 2nd layer.

I'm only trying this because there is a color/pattern they offer in nato but not my preferred Chevron single pass.

The only downside to the C&B Chevron/Noble is they are very fiddly at first to get the right length/fit.

Also they are shorter than a usual single pass/NATO so I'd recommend being careful when donning the watch. You can't thred it through the buckle, create a loop, squeeze your hand through and then cinch down, I usually have to put it on with something more akin to a regular two-piece strap.

That being said they are amazingly comfortable and very well made. Not too mention have a very classy look.

If you want to wash a nylon, throw it in a sock, put sock in pants pocket, out pants through a wash cycle in washer lol.

I've been cutting down my double layers since my first Orient Mako Gen I. 2007-ish. Never had an issue and still wear the three straps I purchased with that watch regularly. Cut out the second part, reseal with a lighter, good to go.

Single pass premade are nice, but don't let that hold you back from patterns/colors you like in double pass. It's not an issue.

Here's my Neptune SIII on a Chevron.

I had no idea they'd started doing this. I love the Chevrons I've purchased in the past, but this is a great development!

Yep... I'm interested to try it. I really would prefer the Chevron with the adjustable length as opposed to tucking the end of the nato, but I'm willing to give it a try for the color/ pattern

Also second (third?) on the fiddly nature of the adjustment. I shortened it too far, then tried to re-adjust, eventually just left it alone. So be careful trying to fine-tune the sizing.

If you don't like the tuck, you could also trim down the length. When I've done this in the past, I clamp two coins down on either side of the NATO. Then use trauma shears or fabric scissors to cut the NATO, following the coin edges as my guide. Then I use a torch/lighter to seal the edges.

This removes the extra length for wearing over clothing, and makes it slightly more difficult to put on, but adds no tuck.

Any high Quality silicon or rubber is what 99% of what dive Masters wear in the tropics. If You are in and out of water with extreme sun in the day no other option. Normal summer or nightime metal is refreshing.

Leather but not swade in the summer because they will wipe clean. Or lots of nato's to swap out and clean. Metal absorbs heat in summer to make for an unpleasant experience.

You won't find me in the tropics 😉 though even if I was I would probably wear steel.

I was just scouring the internet looking for the best way to clean Sailcloth straps and I bumped into this post! I have an Artem one as well and I'm thinking the way to go is just with some regular anti-bacterial soap and a soft toothbrush. I'm in love with the strap, especially after I broke it in. Can't imagine having anything else on

I have a few artem sail cloths and they don’t smell so far lol

Artem Sailcloth Strap Review: Are They Truly Premium?

https://youtu.be/fn4_Xhsz584

Looks great, especially on the white seiko!

NATO, perlon, resin, metal…everything else will absorb sweat and moisture, then it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria…which then smells. No amount of washing will get into the interior padding and fibers of sailcloth.

Those are VERY comfy. Love the ones I have.

Long term use I've found with the simple, elastic single pass that is kind of an issue though. The pin holes wear out pretty fast.

If I could combine this single pass concept with a buckle like Springmade, that'd be ideal.

I've also used Velcro cable ties in a pinch before. 18-21mm types, necessity is the mother of invention! 😂🤘🏻🤙🏻

Yeah, they do look great and wear comfortably too. I also tried the blue sailcloth on my white Timex, but it does look better on the Seiko SNKL41. 🍻

Why not buy a rubber-lined sailcloth? I wear one with an old Turtle I bought off a guy for $100.

Smells fine

I bought the same. Just wash it with dish washing liquid and it’ll be fine. Don’t be afraid to rub the living fck out of it, it’s tough anyway 🫵🏻🤙🏻

And single pass usually cost more! I buy them anyway. My favorite are deBeers RAF nylon straps, usually about $8-$10, on Amazon.

And I have cut a NATO to make it a single pass, and then I glued the flappy part down with Krazy Glue.

These look good, your grey straps especially. At a glance, to me they resemble mesh bracelets.

I've been wearing my new "single layer" nato from Crown and Buckle for 5 days now on a trip to London and it's been warm (88f 31c today) and am very happy with it (I still think I prefer their adjustable Chevron, but this is a close 2nd)

I love this strap. I use it as an alternative to the Omega Summer Blue rubber strap provided on the 75th Anniversary Seamaster Aqua Terra. The summer is now a distant memory & I feel the dark navy is perfect for the watch in the coming months until Spring next year.