Strap Appreciation: Two Months with Artem Sailcloth & Formex Clasp
A couple months ago I swapped the case on one of my Seiko Mods to a 62mas homage case, and it brought my lug width down from 22mm to 20mm. A new strap was needed.
Previously, I tried wearing the watch on a sailcloth strap from Monstraps. I had a good experience with a leather strap from them, but their sailcloth strap was very stiff, and often felt too loose or too tight. However, I really liked the look so with the change of case I decided to head upmarket.
Hoping to solve my comfort crisis, I purchased an sailcloth strap from Artem, and a deployant clasp with on the fly micro-adjust from Formex. Despite it feeling a little silly to spend more on a strap and clasp than the rest of the watch, it was a success. This watch is very comfortable!
Two months in, the strap is holding up well. There are some minor scuffs, but the stitching is intact and the holes aren't frayed. It broke-in to my wrist after about 2-3 days. Now, it could probably be used to identify my body if I went missing.
The clasp is very nice. It has a brushed steel buckle, and the rest is carbon. The micro-adjust range is about the same as distance between holes, and it can be adjusted without removing the watch. I like it.
Cons: After a few sweaty wears in 100+ degree heat (for Celsius users, I'll keep the temperature at 100. It was hot), the strap started to smell kinda bad and needed a wash.
On a trip to Vegas (work related, unfortunately), I stopped by the Blancpain boutique in Caesar's Palace to compare with the Fifty Fathoms strap. On first impressions, the Blancpain strap felt...nicer. However, I asked if the clasp had micro-adjust. It did not.
Cue me showing the sales rep how much I can adjust my strap on the fly, and her wondering how much longer until her shift ends.
Likes: Seiko Mods, German Watches, New Balance shoes, clearance sales //////// Dislikes: 4:30 Date Windows, Fauxtina, Sneezing
I've been eyeing both the strap and clasp for myself. I need to do some measuring since I think the artem is slightly too short for me.
Side note that lucius atelier dial is great
I've been eyeing both the strap and clasp for myself. I need to do some measuring since I think the artem is slightly too short for me.
For reference, my wrist is ~7.25in and I wear the strap on the 2nd to loosest hole, and I usually start the day with the micro adjust tightened all the way, then loosen if needed. I hope this is helpful!
I have been looking at their strap (Artem sailcloth) and wondering if it was worth the price for a daily wear watch.
So when you washed it did you hand wash it or just throw it in the washer? @street.credor
I have been looking at their strap (Artem sailcloth) and wondering if it was worth the price for a daily wear watch.
So when you washed it did you hand wash it or just throw it in the washer? @street.credor
I just hand washed it; can't say it worked 100% but worked well enough for me
I also have an Artem and know the smell you speak of, washing the keepers is a must! lol
I also have an Artem and know the smell you speak of, washing the keepers is a must! lol
Hahaha it makes me glad I'm not the only one with this issue!
I've just ordered the 97/100 loop less and I'm a bit concerned about the size. I have 6-6.5 inch depending on the weather 🙂 so it'll be a close one for me to fit these straps. May I ask the lug to lug of the watch you had yours on?
Thanks! the lug to lug on mime is around 44mm, so might not be enough for me to pull off the strap. It also has a 19mm lug distance 🙃
I've just ordered the 97/100 loop less and I'm a bit concerned about the size. I have 6-6.5 inch depending on the weather 🙂 so it'll be a close one for me to fit these straps. May I ask the lug to lug of the watch you had yours on?
@Laurie101 Don't mind me asking but how is the fit of the artem 97/100? My wrist size is 6.25 and am concerned about the fit as well.
I've just ordered the 97/100 loop less and I'm a bit concerned about the size. I have 6-6.5 inch depending on the weather 🙂 so it'll be a close one for me to fit these straps. May I ask the lug to lug of the watch you had yours on?
I'd like to know how you got on this if you don't mind. I want one for my speedmaster professional and I too have 6.5" wrists
I’ve been thinking about this exact combo for a while but wasn’t sure if the clasp would work with the artem strap. Now I’m going to order both asap
I’ve been thinking about this exact combo for a while but wasn’t sure if the clasp would work with the artem strap. Now I’m going to order both asap
They work great together! On first glance it may seem the strap holes are too tight for the clasp, but if you push a spring tool through the strap holes to widen them the clasp will fit like a charm.
Hey, Im planning to do the same with my zulu time, buy the green artem lopless and pair it with forex deployant, but which should I go with from forex, there are two types and they look almost identical:
https://formexwatch.com/accessories/essence-thirtynine-deployant-clasp-with-fine-adjustment/?setCurrencyId=6
Or
https://formexwatch.com/accessories/deployant-clasp-22m-with-fine-adjustment/
It must be the first one since its 18mm at the end, I assume:)?
Hey, Im planning to do the same with my zulu time, buy the green artem lopless and pair it with forex deployant, but which should I go with from forex, there are two types and they look almost identical:
https://formexwatch.com/accessories/essence-thirtynine-deployant-clasp-with-fine-adjustment/?setCurrencyId=6
Or
https://formexwatch.com/accessories/deployant-clasp-22m-with-fine-adjustment/
It must be the first one since its 18mm at the end, I assume:)?
What size Zulu time do you have? The 42mm will want the larger size Formex clasp since it will need the 22mm artem strap, which tapers down to 20mm at the clasp. The 39mm will need the smaller Formex clasp since it has 21mm lugs, and the 21mm artem tapers to 18mm at the clasp.
Hi, thanks for a quick response. I have the 39mm model so 21mm. Thats what I was thinking, but just had to ask, better safe than sorry hehe. Also, did the two pins on the clasp fit the holes on the strap perfectly? And does it close without force?
Edit: if so im buying the artem strap and formex clasp immediately, do you think its also worth getting the artem clasp if im fitting it with formex anyways? I may buy another artem strap in the future.
Edit again: oh, sorry I saw you had to widen them a bit, do you think its possible to «press» them through? Maybe the smaller 18mm clasp has smaller pins, hopeful thinking😅
Hi, thanks for a quick response. I have the 39mm model so 21mm. Thats what I was thinking, but just had to ask, better safe than sorry hehe. Also, did the two pins on the clasp fit the holes on the strap perfectly? And does it close without force?
Edit: if so im buying the artem strap and formex clasp immediately, do you think its also worth getting the artem clasp if im fitting it with formex anyways? I may buy another artem strap in the future.
Edit again: oh, sorry I saw you had to widen them a bit, do you think its possible to «press» them through? Maybe the smaller 18mm clasp has smaller pins, hopeful thinking😅
Ah, yeah the 18mm Formex clasp would work fine in that case. When I said I widened the holes, I meant that I widened the diameter of the holes to make it easier to press through. The spacing of the holes align correctly with the Formex clasp, so it should be possible to press the clasp in without widening the holes, but it's easier if you do. One the strap is in the clasp, the clasp operates perfectly normal. It does not require a lot of force to close
Thanks so much, good to hear the spacing aligns perfectly, may just do what you did to widen the diameter so I dont have to press them through, think thats the best route to not put to much wear on in the longer run😊
I’ve searched the wide internett to find a strap combo that I would fit the formex and while searching I also fell in love with the artem straps, so this thread and your reply is just awesome!
Thanks so much, good to hear the spacing aligns perfectly, may just do what you did to widen the diameter so I dont have to press them through, think thats the best route to not put to much wear on in the longer run😊
I’ve searched the wide internett to find a strap combo that I would fit the formex and while searching I also fell in love with the artem straps, so this thread and your reply is just awesome!
I'm happy to help! I just put this watch on to double check that it's still comfortable, and can confirm that it's still a great fit hahaha
Hi again, do you know the distance between holes on the artem strap? I just found out the teeth of the Longines micro adjust are smaller but it got a distance of 6.5mm instead of 7.5mm like the Formex, so if the length between holes are closer to longines it may just fit perfeftly without widening the holes and give a complete OEM look to my zulu time, even though it costs x2.
Hi again, do you know the distance between holes on the artem strap? I just found out the teeth of the Longines micro adjust are smaller but it got a distance of 6.5mm instead of 7.5mm like the Formex, so if the length between holes are closer to longines it may just fit perfeftly without widening the holes and give a complete OEM look to my zulu time, even though it costs x2.
Hello, sorry about the late response. I just measured and it's ~6mm between the centers of each hole