What's your experience with sailcloth straps?

My PD1703v3 came on a sailcloth strap ... not sure if it's a genuine sailcloth or not, and of course the watch isn't an "expensive" watch, BUT the strap is as you describe, stiff and uncomfortable ... even after several months. Only a matter of time before I replace it with a leather one.

I don't have any experience with Artem sailcloth straps, but I did get one from Barton Watch Bands a few years ago. It was really stiff and felt like it was squeezing my wrist at first. It eventually did break in a bit, but by that time it had started fraying around the eyelets. It has been the only really disappointing strap I have purchased from Barton, and soured me on sailcloth straps. Haven't tried one since.

My experience mirrors yours.

Yes, I've got one. Not impressed with it tbh- stiff ,& as sweaty as a rubber. Wouldn't recommend them.

Nice Willard, got mine on a CWC mil-spec elastic NATO, really comfortable and cheap too! Highly recommended 👍🏻

That got me wondering if the hype was not real, but this was some massive promotional campaign (e.g. Artem paid a few outlets to promote their straps heavily).

Ding ding ding. 🎯

My limited experience reflects yours: They padded are bulky and uncomfortable, the unpadded are stiff and uncomfortable.

I am a big fan of sailcloth strap, but they are not all equal. Like you and Greg, Artem wasn’t for me. I do like Fin Watch Straps sail cloth. They still require a little break in, but softer and in my view look better. They are also much more reasonable price wise. Not the cheapest, but still competitive and about 1/2 of Artem.

I don’t know who makes Hamilton’s but theirs are also very nice.

I like them, though I think many are overpriced. I tend to get mine directly from the manufacturers, mostly in the Far East. They are part of my strap selection/rotation, and I tend to use omega-style deployant clasps to maximise strap durability.

I initially didn’t like the strap as I though it was too padded and stick. However now that I have broken it in; it fit much better and is incredibly comfortable. Apparently they recently updated it with more padding which I think has caused the stiffness.

Yeah, almost every somewhat famous watch YTer gushed over them - that's actually how I came across Artem in the first place. Oh, well - it's on me I fell for it.

P.S. Their green strap motivated me to try them, as I felt it'd be a great match for my beloved Willard. I'll suffer for a few days to see if this will break in (although I'm very skeptical it will) and I'll go back to the tried and true straps afterwards.

My artem broke in after 3-4 wears. It feels a lot better than my previous cheap sailcloth strap, which was so stiff the watch wouldn't even touch my wrist when worn!

To no one's surprise, most of the reviews on YouTube are paid and lack objectivity. Any honest party would have commented on the stiffness and questionable value. Alas, influencers are more concerned about maintaining good relationships with brands to get more free stuff.

I have noticed it's especially common in the watch YouTube world. So many straps or watch boxes being promoted by influencers are ludicrously priced because they target watch enthusiasts desensitized to the value of money after seeing watches sold for dozens of thousands. They prey on the "luxury" flair of the hobby to sell products made in China with a scummy 10 times mark-up.

I’ve got one from Barton on a vintage HMT. While it’s really well made, the break-in period has taken a long time. Really stiff

Right now I have the same issue with the Artem - my Willard hovers a bit above my wrist. The first wear was quite painful, but I'll try it again later today.

I guess you're right. I always had doubts about some YouTubers (as everything they reviewed was "great", "amazing", etc), but the problem with many of the goods they advertise is that it's hard to try them out in person, as no physical stores carry them. From time to time you have to take a leap of faith. At any rate - I learned an expensive lesson and I'll steer away from hyped products going forward.

Artem are stiff, VERY stiff. I don't mind that on heavy watches, I actually prefer it. To prevent discomfort I put them on a watch pillow for a week or so and have it bend the strap into position. From there it's quite okay.

I have the loopless one in black and green. I personally like them both. They’re a bit stiff in the beginning but wear comfortably in my opinion.

it appears the loop less style only comes in one length...

the regular "looped" style with tang buckle (and optional extra RM/BP type clasps) come in three lengths.

Well that sucks.....

what's wrong with the length that's holding you back from purchasing the 21mm strap?

Too long? too short? too stiff?

Here's how this looks on my wrist and also the damage it causes to the wrist in only 30 minutes:

Same. I have worn mine for a year and still stiff AF

Try Strap Habit sailcloth straps. I own a few and haven't found them to as stiff or uncomfortable as many are describing Artem sailcloth straps

Surely you should be wearing it looser?

Then it would sit a few mm above my wrist which looks ridiculous. The problem is simply that the sides of the strap are super stiff near the lugs and they don't follow the shape of the wrist. Even now I wear it loser than I wear any other strap, but this doesn't help.

Sounds like you need to return it then. I think they have a decent returns policy.

Judging by your photo, I wouldn’t accept that for a $200 purchase.

Purchased Artem for my speedy. After 2 weeks off and on it started to feel ok. Sometime into the 3 week it split at the whole I was using for the buckle. I’m OCD so off it went and into the garbage. An expensive mistake.

I'd have done this right away if I hadn't paid something like 30% in taxes and import fees (I live in the EU and they ship from Australia). And I have to pay the shipping to the AU myself if I want to ask for refund, so at the end it's probably not worth it. (not to mention they might deny my request)

I’ve had an Artem for a little while now, it broke in in a few weeks of sporadic wear. I also have it on a diployant and in a box so that probably helps.

I have one of theirs too. Very stiff when new but once broken in, very comfortable. I haven't had it long and don't wear my watches long but it seems very durable as well.