Watch straps

[Austin]

Gents, want to change the look of your watch without buying a new one? Sometimes I like changing the strap of a watch to another color or adding a bracelet to it. It effectively changes the look of the watch and keeps things from becoming boring. You would be amazed how a new color strap will change the look of a watch.

I recently purchased a blue Orient Mako. In anticipation of the watch I ordered some straps from bradystraps.com. I ordered a blue strap to compliment the blue dial. I also ordered a black strap to compliment my orange Mako II. These leather straps are quite impressive. They are thick and waterproof.

Here are pictures of the watch.

I usually buy leather straps for my vintage watches at internationalwatchman.com. There are a lot of good places to improve the look of your watch.

 

[Thebigspendur]

Very true. Most people don't realize it's the strap that really makes the watch and most watches look way better with a strap as opposed to a bracelet.

 

[jackmormon]

Austin,

Excuse my ignorance but I want to do the same thing to my Blue Mako. I bought it with the rubber strap but want a leather one.

My big question is on HOW to change the watch band. Can you recommend tools and/or instructions that might be online? I tried to do it on an old Seiko automatic and severely marred the case now I am real gunshy to try again.

Thanks!

 

[Austin]

Austin,

Excuse my ignorance but I want to do the same thing to my Blue Mako. I bought it with the rubber strap but want a leather one.

My big question is on HOW to change the watch band. Can you recommend tools and/or instructions that might be online? I tried to do it on an old Seiko automatic and severely marred the case now I am real gunshy to try again.

Thanks!

Here you go:

http://www.thewatchprince.com/Changing-Your-Watch-Band

 

[Sullybob]

Thanks for the link! I have wanted to get a strap for my Orange Monster for a while now. The orange strap looks like it would be a nice match.

 

[Austin]

Thanks for the link! I have wanted to get a strap for my Orange Monster for a while now. The orange strap looks like it would be a nice match.

I like it as well. I may have to get one for my OM as well. What I also like about the straps from this site is that the spring bar is built into the band itself. It makes changing the band a charm.

 

[Sullybob]

I like it as well. I may have to get one for my OM as well. What I also like about the straps from this site is that the spring bar is built into the band itself. It makes changing the band a charm.

I didn't realize that. I thought that the spring bars were shown inserted into the ends of the band for show. If like me, you have ever crawled around on the floor looking for a spring bar you will realize that this is a very nice feature.

 

[MichaelG]

This is the best tool out there for changing watch straps. It's Bergeon's First-Quality Spring Bar Tool. I recommend it highly for anyone who catches the watch bug and needs to change straps/bracelets.

One tip for not scratching the underside of the lugs is to use a small piece of scotch tape to protect the lugs.

 

[Cmaster03]

Andrew, I completely agree about different straps/bracelets changing the personality of the watch so much.

I recently modified an inexpensive "Bond style" NATO strap and put it on my vintage 1680 Submariner.

I'll post pics of before, in-process, and after. The NATO-style strap of course comes with an extra bit of material and a keeper that was absent from the simple one-piece style strap worn by Connery in a couple of the early films.

I like NATOs, but actually prefer RAF-style straps like mine is now that it's modified.

BEFORE on Oyster Bracelet

BEFORE on UN-MODIFIED NATO

IN-PROCESS and KIT- Scissors and Zippo

AFTER a la CONNERY

 

[Austin]

Thanks Clyde. Your vintage Sub is a real beauty.

I like Nato straps. I have a few that I use from time to time. They are inexpensive and lend to the character of most divers.

 

[Rughi]

Can someone learn me a little knowledge on deployants?

Here's one site's offerings:
http://www.thewatchprince.com/watch-band/Deployants-Clasps

There seem to be two main types: flip and butterfly. I take it they are valued for extending the life of the leather before the leather would get wear marks at the buckle.

If they're worth it, I'm in. What do you gents think?

Roger

 

[MichaelG]

I prefer the double deployant style (what they refer to as a butterfly deployant) to the single fold deployant (what they refer to as a flip clasp).

I find it's easier to center the clasp on the underside of my wrist. I usually have a tough time with single-fold deployants; they seem to dig into the side of my wrist. Some guys like them a lot, but a lot of others have similar problems.

I prefer friction-lock deployants to the push-button types. I find the buttons dig into my wrist a little. It's all subjective, of course, and a lot of guys don't mind the buttons.

The advantages of a deployant is that it keeps the strap looking newer longer, since you're not folding the tang end back and forth to thread it through a regular buckle. It's arguably more secure when putting your watch on and taking it off. I think they look very neat and stylish too.

Here's my favorite deployant. It's an OEM Panerai old style friction lock deployant on my PAM 000. It's incredibly comfortable since it's a friction-lock double deployant. The newer Panerai deployants aren't nearly as comfortable as this, now discontinued, model.

Can someone learn me a little knowledge on deployants?

Here's one site's offerings:
http://www.thewatchprince.com/watch-band/Deployants-Clasps

There seem to be two main types: flip and butterfly. I take it they are valued for extending the life of the leather before the leather would get wear marks at the buckle.

If they're worth it, I'm in. What do you gents think?

Roger

 

[Austin]

Gents, I recently ordered a replacement bracelet for my Orange and Black monster. I have long admired the bracelets from watchadoo out of Australia. Here is his ebay shop:

http://shop.ebay.com/watchadoo/m.html

I received it today and I must say I am impressed. I ordered the brushed steel bracelet for $50. The bracelet is heavy and top grade. It has a double locking clasp. A few years ago I ordered an oyster bracelet from Rolex as a replacement for $800. This bracelet is just as good for a fraction of the price.

The bracelet is comfortable and attractive. I would gladly pay 4 times more for this bracelet.

 

[Cmaster03]

That bracelet looks the business, Andrew. Appears to be massively built indeed.

 

[Sullybob]

Andrew,
That is a great looking bracelet and it looks right at home on the OM. Do you size your bracelets yourself?

 

[Mandrake]

I love my SD on a nato/zulu....

On the other hand, bracelet is the only way to go with my GMT Master II....

 

[Austin]

Andrew,
That is a great looking bracelet and it looks right at home on the OM. Do you size your bracelets yourself?

I size my bracelets with one the tools from this site.

http://www.internationalwatchman.com/home.html

 

[Austin]

Most watches both modern and vintage come with sterile black straps. I tend to change them depending on the dial and case. Different straps will change the personality of the watch. Try different textures, skins, stitching, etc. Give it a try and you will be surprised how your watch looks.

 

[Sluggo]

I have an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra, but how do I know what width of band I should get?

 

[Austin]

I have an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra, but how do I know what width of band I should get?

You will need to measure the space between the lugs to determine the strap size. This is usually measured in millimeters. Your Seamaster is probably 20mm or 22mm.