Bracelet and Strap Options - Part 1

Functionally, a bracelet or strap is meant to ensure the former "pocket watch", now made smaller to generally fit our wrists, will be strapped well amidst the various activities we engage in during the day. But with this revised function, over time, these had to also look good. Bracelets and straps were then designed and made to complement, supplement, enhance, elevate, and complete the overall look and beauty of the timepieces it adorns.

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Whether on its stock bracelet, or a leather strap, or on those you feel like swapping it out to, the bracelet or strap is often the less noticed or appreciated element of why the wristwatch made us go "Wow!".

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In real ways, the bracelet or strap may have been the unspoken game changer (or deal breaker) when you decided to get a specific watch to be part of your collection.

The first watch I got to be part of my collection is my Seiko 5 SNXS79. I just loved its overall sporty look and vintage vibe. The dial is stunning, the indices and handset are eye-catching, and the stock bracelet completed its overall beauty. #seiko5 #snxs79

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It's 19mm lug width made it slightly difficult to find suitably-sized bracelet and strap options. But, this didn't deter me one bit to add "new clothes" to its repertoire.

The first one I got was a customized leather strap from Leather Craft Manila. The complementary colors floored me. #leather #leathercraft

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This leather NATO also looked good.

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The next one was the highly recommended center-polished oyster style bracelet. This broadened its appeal to suit socials, work, and business related situations. #oysterbracelet

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From these 2 starting additions, I got to appreciate even more the versatility, adaptability, and beauty of my SNXS79. Searching and finding more bracelet and strap options to clothe it with became both an imperative, and a fun adventure.

I immediately got the classic jubilee. #jubileebracelet

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Two 5-link bracelets followed suit. This polished variant dresses it up a bit.

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While this brushed one is cool for daily work or leisure.

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Then came the hexad #hexad, giving it a hefty and tough appeal, almost like a Batman vibe hehe. Can you see it?

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Then, having seen how my Seiko 5 SNKL41 took on a whole new look, I decided to get the same highly-touted president bracelet. #president

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Man, I was on a roll! 😎

Next material was nylon. Here, I hit somewhat of a brick wall, because there were scarcely any 19mm nylon straps available. So, I simply adapted some of my 18mm ones by refitting them with 19mm quick release spring bars. Problem solved.😉 #nylon #perlon

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Rubber and silicone straps came next. #rubberstrap #siliconestrap

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Then, to round off the bracelet collection, I got it a Milanese mesh. #milanese

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The past few months have been so much fun! 🥳

As icing on a cake, I got these black and blue sailcloth straps. #sailclothstrap

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I'm still searching for a dark olive green variant.

I did have a couple of trial and errors. #fail And sadly, I still haven't found 19mm canvas straps. My search still continues.

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How about you? Did you also eagerly search for various bracelet and strap options for your watch collection? What are your favorites so far? Let's see them! 😉 For sure, a good number in the WC community will be helped by your examples, lessening the trial and error.

And, which bracelet or strap variant(s) are you still searching for, and find difficult to locate? Perhaps others can point to the right direction. 🍻

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That SNXS is a true and tested Strap Monster!

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TekindusT

That SNXS is a true and tested Strap Monster!

Indeed! 🍻 I noticed though that despite it's stunning sunburst dark brownish black dial, there are some strap options I checked that didn't quite work, compared to a more dark grayish black hue.

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End boss of entry level auto.

Great shots!

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Nice!! That’s one Strap Monster you got there!! And I agree 100% and finding the strap that highlights the watch even more is such a pleasure to admire and wear!! Now do one with the white dial!! 😂🍻

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sallgoodimo

End boss of entry level auto.

Great shots!

It's a legend indeed. Thanks! 🍻

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Ichibunz

Nice!! That’s one Strap Monster you got there!! And I agree 100% and finding the strap that highlights the watch even more is such a pleasure to admire and wear!! Now do one with the white dial!! 😂🍻

Totally agree, pare! 🍻 The search is so much fun, and finding the right bracelet or strap makes the watch even more mesmerizing. 😍 Post mo rin yung similar colored dials mo, on its different bracelets and straps!

White dial post coming next week hehehe 😜🍻

Edit: I might opt to show strap options for field watches instead using my Columbia field.

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That's some really cool strapvariants for the SNXS. Digging it!😃👍🍻

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Great watch for the price. I settled on a Dark grey Epsom leather strap from the strap tailor for mine. So much better than the metal bracelet it comes with. Lovely shots !

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Kimble

That's some really cool strapvariants for the SNXS. Digging it!😃👍🍻

Clear options for your SNXS79, and other similar colored dials in your collection. 👍🏼

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obtainabletimepieces

Great watch for the price. I settled on a Dark grey Epsom leather strap from the strap tailor for mine. So much better than the metal bracelet it comes with. Lovely shots !

Dark grey Epsom is actually my next plan! 🍻 Will have it custom-made again. Can you kindly post a photo of yours here?

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hakki501

Clear options for your SNXS79, and other similar colored dials in your collection. 👍🏼

For sure👍You've given me inspiration to search out some new straps.🍻

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hakki501

Dark grey Epsom is actually my next plan! 🍻 Will have it custom-made again. Can you kindly post a photo of yours here?

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It looks somewhat brown in this lighting but I still think it works well 🤩

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Kimble

For sure👍You've given me inspiration to search out some new straps.🍻

Looking forward to seeing them soon! Enjoy the hunt! 🍻

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obtainabletimepieces

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It looks somewhat brown in this lighting but I still think it works well 🤩

What. A. Beauty. 😍 Will definitely get one very soon! Thanks for sharing.

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Great read and photos! The perlon strap choice was inspired! I might have to try one!✨

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Great photo tour of beautiful options - thanks!

It inspires me to try looking harder for other interesting options for my Ginza Alpinist - my favourite basic field watch. Needs some leather (hard to find right color for that dial) and some nicer bracelet options.

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It too is 19mm. So need a flush fit 19 bracelet that’s almost no taper, super rare I think, not found any

Which companies did you buy from? I Wonder, do they have options for this rare model? All the aftermarket Alpinist bracelets I find are only ever for the more usual Cathedral hands 20mm lug model ☹

My 19mm SPB259 needs more bracelet and leather options!

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Fieldwalker

Great photo tour of beautiful options - thanks!

It inspires me to try looking harder for other interesting options for my Ginza Alpinist - my favourite basic field watch. Needs some leather (hard to find right color for that dial) and some nicer bracelet options.

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It too is 19mm. So need a flush fit 19 bracelet that’s almost no taper, super rare I think, not found any

Which companies did you buy from? I Wonder, do they have options for this rare model? All the aftermarket Alpinist bracelets I find are only ever for the more usual Cathedral hands 20mm lug model ☹

My 19mm SPB259 needs more bracelet and leather options!

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You're welcome, my friend. 👍 Glad the photos inspired you to expand your strap and bracelet options for your iconic Ginza Alpinist. It may seem hard to find given its unique dial colors - blue, green, some grey(?). But, I think if you go with blue as the base color, then you'll be able to sharpen your shortlist of potential straps and bracelets.

For the bracelets that'll fit the 19mm lug width, just use your current female end link as default. Then looking at the examples I posted above, just gauge which types of bracelets you feel will suit the Ginza Alpinist best. I think a middle-polished oyster bracelet is an excellent must have alternate to your stock bracelet. Mine has an unnoticeable taper.

I purchased all those bracelets from our local e-commerce platform. In your case, that will be AliExpress, Amazon, or eBay. I'm not sure though if they have options for the Ginza model. You can also check out: Uncle Seiko, StrapCode, Nomad Watch Works, Crown & Buckle, Condor Straps, CNS Watchbands, and B&R Bands.

For leather, check out brown and dark brown color variants. Those are time-tested colors that suit most watch dial colors, and will suit your SPB259 for sure. Dark or navy blue leather may also work. Black silicone surely works well given its explorer sporty design. Check out this short video too: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6-3LebEuZ-0

It's time to give some new clothes to your Ginza 😉

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Spencertheho

Great read and photos! The perlon strap choice was inspired! I might have to try one!✨

Thanks, sir! The grey-bluish perlon was actually a "try-and-see-if-it-works" kinda thing. And it did! 🥳 Yup, go ahead and try one. They are so cheap, and can greatly complement a watch in a simple yet significant way.

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Totally went down this road

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Trophyhusband

Totally went down this road

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