modulating strap length to avoid "in between" sizes and get a perfect fit
I used to dislike nato watch bands until I started removing the keeper and making them single pass. The following realization is kind of the same level for me, but applies to straps.
I love the look of a rubber strap on a dive watch, but the sizing was always a toss up. Until I strapped on the watch, I never knew how it would actually fit. I'm referring to when the strap is an "in between“ size. It is either too tight, or too loose. I've found an easy fix by accident, which is changing out the buckle to another with a slightly longer or shorter effective length. Usually its just enough to nudge "in between" to "perfect". This is especially simple on a rubber dive strap where the buckle has the drilled lug holes. Just make sure the part that goes through the strap holes is also the same width. I now keep a few buckles of different effective lengths that I know are interchangeable on most rubber straps. Hope this helps someone out there
love all sorts of watches, particularly affordable hardwearing mechanical watches. Seiko fanboy.