Cheap Straps on expensive watches?
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Lucas
25 y/o German military guy who needs sturdy watches for work but likes classy watches when off work!
Hamburg
Member since
Last active: 10 hrs ago
16.00 cm
I use cheap straps to work out what I really like on the watch then invest in something quality when I have made my mind up.
No matter what watch I'm wearing, I wear it on a nice quality strap. And surprise - good quality strap is not always = expensive strap! Sometimes I find guys who create custom straps starting from $10 (I've always lived in developing countries though, some things are much less expensive here than in the US/Europe). I also ordered some really nice straps from China at around the same $10.
I use cheap straps to work out what I really like on the watch then invest in something quality when I have made my mind up.
Awesome strategy, I will totally copy that! 😅
No matter what watch I'm wearing, I wear it on a nice quality strap. And surprise - good quality strap is not always = expensive strap! Sometimes I find guys who create custom straps starting from $10 (I've always lived in developing countries though, some things are much less expensive here than in the US/Europe). I also ordered some really nice straps from China at around the same $10.
In Germany it’s nearly impossible to find a strap for 10$ or less. 🤔
A quality strap really elevates the wearing experience, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. I’ve purchased expensive straps that I don’t use and cheap strays that are on my watch all the time. Purchasing the right strap is the key.
A quality strap really elevates the wearing experience, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. I’ve purchased expensive straps that I don’t use and cheap strays that are on my watch all the time. Purchasing the right strap is the key.
Wise words my friend! 👍
Depends on the quality of the strap. I prefer Delugs, which are much better quality leathers and customization. I want to try Artem, and will at some point. I have some Barton leathers also, which are much cheaper but ok. I do like the Barton canvas better than their leathers. I haven’t been impressed by other budget brands, and am probably out of the budget market outside Barton.
I used to buy tons of straps from Cheapestnatostraps.com now https://cnswatchbands.com/collections/vintage-watch-bands
They were great and pretty comfortable and looked good.. then I bought one from ManCaveLeather then another and another then bought one from Handdn Handmade.. then many many more. It’s snobby but once you have a really high end strap the cheap ones just don’t cut it.
I wear my SM300 only on mil-spec NATO's, much better (more secure due to sewn in buckle) than the Omega NATO, or it's standard bracelet or a Steib mesh.
Some of my stupidly cheap Amazon straps, not to mention my eBay purchases, have been excellent. I can only presume the triple figure jobs must be amazing, if price reflects quality.
Put it on a good strap. A good strap doesn't have to be expensive.
Rubber straps are very cheap to make once the process is set up so economies of scale allow a 6€ AliExpress strap be not be that much worse, if at all, than a 260€ OEM strap.
OEM straps are nothing but private label products from Camille Fournet and Jean Rousseau which aren't much better, if at all, than those custom products you get from Etsy for 10x less.
I really try to get the original if available.
Cheap straps all the way I say, especially if your a silicone kinda guy or live in tropical temps. The world is your oyster flex…. See what I did there? 😂
Conversely, I wear affordable (to me) watches and I struggle to buy a strap that’s worth more than 5-10% of the watch itself.
It has nothing to do with price and everything to do with quality.
The strap on this Edox costs almost as much as I paid for the watch.
Neither are luxury...
Straps are consumable products that wear out frequently. Expensive leather does not last any longer than good leather.
I wear almost all my watches on Barton rubber straps or Natos at some point. And I rarely see the point of an OEM Nato. But I also wear cheap watches on relatively expensive straps.
I have however never used aftermarket bracelets. No matter the quality or price point.
In Germany it’s nearly impossible to find a strap for 10$ or less. 🤔
They don't have eBay in Germany?
Look how beautiful my Vaer looks on on a $20 Amazon strap:
Now look at this craptastic bracelet it comes with:
It doesn't even match! The finish is wrong and the shape doesn't line up with the lugs. Wear the right strap, not the expensive strap.
I wear whatever I like. I have some nice straps and some BS straps, which I bought to test the waters. Ironically, one of those strap made perfect match with one of my watches and now I use this cheap borderline plastic leather strap as a primary strap. Maybe someday I'll find similar strap, but made with care, but you know. It works)
If the strap looks right, the price is irrelevant. Granted, if a strap looks cheap I wouldn't put it on an expensive watch.
As an example, I bought a rubber strap for my Breitling SOH2. It was 1/6th of the price of the factory strap, but it looks and feels 3 times better, despite the price.