Of the many hundreds of watches I have owned over the years, one thing I have always taken note of is the strap, bracelet, band or wrap. Because surprisingly often, the one supplied, might not suit you once you start wearing it.
And there are so many different devices to strap to your wrist. The most common is probably a classic leather strap with a pin buckle. It should adjust to your wrist size and fits to the watch via the spring bars on the watch lugs. Other materials can be used such as metal mesh, nylon, rubber, textile and so on.
Bracelets or bands are also popular, though some are good and some oddly not made to the same standard as the watch.
The most common version is the fold-over clasp type, with a metal link bracelet (made up of metal links) attached at the watch via the spring bars and some may have an intermediate curved plate, between watch case and spring bar – to match the curve of a round watch for example – and makes it more integrated. These bracelets are usually adjustable for wrist size by removable pins on the bracelet and often a small adjustment on the clasp too.
But if a metal bracelet is not to your liking and you like the bracelet deployment idea, then you could use fit a third party “deployment” fitting.
This attaches to a standard leather strap. And here again, some are good, holding the watch close to the wrist and some the opposite, so check before purchase.
To fit a stand-a-lone deployment clasp you don’t even have to remove the leather strap from the watch – first – remove the buckle and pin from the strap. Then using the existing small spring bar that held the pin/buckle on, fit one end of the deployment attachment to it (note the deployment attachment must fit the width of the strap).
Then fit the other end of the deployment to the tail of the strap, normally it’s a movable clamp with hinged pin, which you ‘clamp’ to the strap and adjust the wrist size length by moving it to a suitable strap hole . Actually very simple and saves the strap from premature wear. Just ensure the deployment type suits you.
I have always been an advocate of having a watch strap or bracelet that’s comfortable. One that holds the watch to my 65mm wrist neatly, so much so that in the past more often, I’d swap out the standard leather or rubber strap for a silicon rubber fold-over one. These have a fold over/lock and the advantage of holding the watch close to the wrist, unlike many leather strap deployments. Whilst they are excellent, the ones I tend to use have a slight disadvantage in that these have to be cut to fit, so are bespoke to your particular wrist size. And if you like to use your watch off the wrist as an alarm on the bedside table, they are tricky to sit upright.
However, I did find that with most rubber straps, mine included , over time can become brittle. And the initial flexibility is not quite as it was.
And storage wise you can’t keep your watch flat – it has to be on a cushion or display pillow, curled around it – and there are watch boxes for that purpose. And if thinking of the roll method for your leather strapped watches – then be prepared for a permanently curved strap – so not really the best for leather..
So, basically as some of my older silicon banded watches (the early black ones as it happens) were looking their age and not as flexible (like me) I wondered what was around that might update the look of them and maybe add some colour. But, they had to look right or why bother I thought.
I began looking at a watch I’d had for years – this old Uzi Defender watch (amazingly good watch too) which had a nylon “wrap strap” (did I fit it years ago? no idea) or that’s what I called it. Like another old Timex I have, it sported a metal loop ring topside with wrap around Velcro closure.
And rather like NATO straps, the strap feeds under the spring bars and under the watch. Though depending on the watch back or how thick the case is could have a similar effect as a leather strap/deployment – it can make watch stand out a bit too far from the inside of the wrist – so you have to check if it’s the right type.
Anyway, when trawling the web the other day, I found a whole series of different textile/nylon etc wrap straps, which didn’t feed under the case, but were true wraps.
Called Sport Loops (whatever !) and the one that caught my eye was the Runostrich Quick Release or Sports Loop band. (I’m pretty sure I used to play in one!)
Anyway, as I said, a little bit more modern, very easy to fit and very comfortable, as you simply attach as a normal strap, then overlap and touch close (Velcro) to suit tightness and wrist size. No moving parts, no metal ring and the band (sorry – Loop!) doesn’t go under the watch.
It is nicely textured and soft to the touch Nylon, so likely waterproof. It’s flexible and no adjusting required. And these particular Bands fit wrists from 160mm-210mm (6.3″-8.3″) so quite a decent wrist range. And they are available in various widths of 18/19/20/22mm and maybe smaller.
Each band comes with 2 x quick release spring bars (plus a spare) and is available in a range of colours and textures. And you can fiddle it about a bit and it will sit upright on a bedside table at the angle you want, so very handy if you take your watch off at night – a quick glance and you read the time.
And I do particularly like their multicolour straps – though they only have a few. Maybe because in today’s world they can reflect a bit of rebel fashion, match the watch face or your mood, whatever. In other words, change the band, change the look. As shown on the Seiko 5 Sports Limited Edition below – though the Seiko has an excellent fold-over steel bracelet – this “wrap” is just for a change.
And as said, as many of my older silicon deployment straps are/were black, with this change I can have what I like to call my “Woodstock” look.
And OK, this is a tenuous link to memory and maybe as folks my age seem to end up a bit drab and colourless, like the straps – or is it me?.
Anyway- for whatever reason, it takes me back to 1969, to what was in my opinion, more colourful days. This particular ‘mem’ was in Bethel was it? Catskills? near New York somewhere – and that was in August 15th – I mean how far back is that – ancient yes?
Anyway, there was I – a youngish long haired guy in flared jeans, a harmonica laden belt (12 Hohner blues harps & 2 bass jobs) around my 28″ waist, bare chested with strings, leather thongs, neck and wrists festooned with coloured ribbons, leathers, including back then an early Timex.
I still remember some ‘dude’ (see, I even remember the lingo!) shouting at me, “Time me, Man!” as he didn’t have a watch and I shouted back whatever the time was. Then some years later did it all over again it at the Isle of Wight, England – yikes! – but that’s another story!
And here I am again well over 50+ years later with these same colours on my wrist (it’s the colours, man) – I just love it! Unfortunately the 28″ waist is long gone, as is the long hair and wispy beard and you won’t hear me playing “Train Blues” on the harp anymore, but well – what was . . . . . another life really!
Anyway, I’ve gone off topic (comes with age) – the included images are just a few of the watches I’ve re-strapped (looped) and I have a feeling there might be a few more before the week is out.
Note – I hasten to add that this particular wrap-strap style can look good on many watch models, but there are other considerations of course. I wouldn’t want it if I was actually diving – I’d likely stick to the original one that came with the watch. But just for a change of look, it’s basically a bit of fun and at little cost. It can brighten up your Day. And if you’re into “smart” stuff, I have seen them on the odd Apple watch (whatever that is?) and it looks good too).
Anyway, just a thought and I’ve fitted a few different watches to see how they look – OK for some and not for others, but they can surprise you. Fun too.
Watch space 