1) STITCHED WATCH STRAP

These straps are made by contrasty stitching at the sides of the strap – An eye-catching color combination is usually used such as red/black and black/white. For a classy/casual look, stitched watch straps work well as it fits well together with your jeans.

2) BUND WATCH STRAP

The bund strap has an extra layer of padding underneath the watch. They are used by pilots which protect the skin from extreme conditions like fire or freezing cold. Another advantage is that if the user perspires while wearing the watch, the bund strap will absorb the sweat, protecting it from contact at the back of the watch.

If your skin is allergic to metals, this bund strap will protect your skin from direct contact with the watch metal. Bund straps usually are very bulky and they are quite warm so wearing it during the summer might not be a good idea.

3) RALLY WATCH STRAP

Rally straps contain holes being punched out, some have its own hole sizes and patterns. Racers usually wear this as the rally watch strap makes it more breathable because of the strong heat inside their race car. It is great for wearing during the summer as the big holes of the strap allow the air to flow through and the strap moves well with your wrist, preventing sweat from your wrist.

4) OYSTER WATCH STRAP/BRACELET

The oyster watch bracelet is a very classic strap. The Oyster bracelet contains 3 links that are joined together in width, making the watch bracelet very stiff compared to other types of watch straps. The center link is thicker than the rest, which reduces the chances of breaking points, making the watch bracelet durable. There is a pin between the 3 links which connects them together.

5) NATO WATCH STRAP

The strap that is best for casuals, the NATO strap was initially used in the military as ‘military strap’. It is mostly made from either Nylon or Leather. This NATO strap is very lightweight, cheap in the market and also durable. It uses a single strap that slides underneath the case to prevent the skin from touching the metal. Similar to the bund strap, the NATO strap will absorb the sweat in case the user perspires under the hot sun.

NATO straps are very easy to replace if you need a different color or if your NATO strap wears off and they are very easy to adjust the strap if you want to loosen or tighten the watch. NATO straps have many designs from different companies who specialized in NATO watch straps which is why it is so popular on the market today.

6) ZULU WATCH STRAP

ZULU straps are actually very similar to the NATO straps but with a few differences. They are thicker than NATO straps in terms of the material and have either of the 2 options: The 3-ring ZULU straps (Consists of a single long strap with 3 rounded buckles) and the 5-ring ZULU straps (Consists of a single long strap with 5 rounded buckles).

7) PRESIDENT WATCH STRAP/BRACELET

The president watch bracelet has a similar construction compared to the oyster watch bracelet with the link construction contains 3 links. However, president watch bracelets have more individual links as their links are shorter than the oyster watch bracelet which it isn’t as durable compared to the oyster watch bracelet. It is great for formal wear and it increases movement.

8) MESH WATCH STRAP/BRACELET

The mesh watch bracelet is known by the name ‘Milanese’. During the old days, it was made from hand-wound wire spiral coils (chainmail armor design) which they fashioned into luxury items such as bracelets and necklaces. Nowadays, mesh watch straps are manufactured automatically instead of handmade. Though mesh watch straps can be worn by all genders, women tend to wear mesh watches a lot because of the beauty and they are much smoother than other types of watch straps.

9) LEATHER

If you are looking for a comfortable, stylish and vintage look, then leather watch bands are the way to go – It usually compliments casual and formal clothes well. Leather watch bands come in different colors, with the most common being brown and black. They are also quite easy to adjust if it gets too loose or too tight to wear. Please take note that there 3 different types of leather in the market:

• Faux leather is not real leather, but made from a plastic base and then mixed with either wax or polyurethane to produce the color and texture. They are the cheapest in the market as they are mass-produced in factories, but tend to wear off pretty quickly even if you take care of it.
• Genuine leather is made from animal hides such as cattle, oxen or pig. Even though they are much more durable than faux leather, it still pales in comparison with materials like metal. Most marketers love to use the term ‘genuine leather’ as a selling point because most people will think that ‘genuine leather’ is of high quality. But in actual fact, it is not the most durable material for a watch strap.
• Full grain leather is genuine leather that has not been sanded or buffed out to remove marks or imperfections. It includes the entire thickness of the skin, is the best of quality, and are long-lasting. But these are also generally more expensive in the market – If you want the best kind of quality that will last long, investing in a full grain leather watch band will be a great option.

Advantages:

• Will suit a wide range of different styles.
• Variety of colors and leather types for you to choose from.

Disadvantages:

• Leather watch straps are not waterproof, it is not recommended to go swimming or diving with it.
• Full-grain leather can be quite expensive.

10) METAL

Metal is a common material used for both the watch and strap. Although stainless steel is the usual suspect, there are also the more luxurious metals – silver, gold, and titanium. Metals are generally versatile and durable materials that can be worn on all occasions, including diving and swimming.

However, the construct of metal straps also tends to be more complex. Metal bracelets can come in various designs such as the Cotter Pin links and T-Bar links; While they are durable, they are also quite difficult to change and adjust when compared to the rest.

Advantages:

• Waterproof and suitable for water sports.
• Durable and takes punishments well.

Disadvantages:

• Not as comfortable compared to other watch strap materials as it heavy.
• Require tools to adjust your watch strap or have to go to watch shops to ask for an adjustment.
• Bad for people who are allergic to metals.

11) FABRIC

There are many types of fabrics that can be used for watch straps – Cotton, linen, cashmere, etc… Fabric watch bands are great for sports, or if you prefer a more casual style. Some of the more popular fabric watch straps are the NATO and the HULU. They have an additional strap that slides through the 2 lugs, so you have 2 straps of nylon secure under the watch.

What is great about fabrics is that they dry quickly, and are totally washable. They can also be easily dyed, come in various colors, lightweight, and are affordable.

Advantages:

• Lightweight, comfortable to wear for a long time.
• Washable and easy maintenance.
• Affordable watch band material.

Disadvantages:

• Mainly only for casual style.
• Can get stained easily when compared to other materials.

12) ELASTOMERS

Elastomers generally refer to rubber, silicone, and polyurethane – These are elastic materials that are also waterproof. Compared to leather and fabrics, elastomers are better suited for outdoor activities. If the watch band gets dirty, you can wash it off using just water.

• Silicone watch straps are a lot cheaper but they tend to suffer from wear-and-tear after a while.
• Polyurethane is basically an improved version of the silicone which does not break as easily.
• Rubber watch straps are not only soft but also durable. It is a little more costly compared to the other two but makes for best comfort.

Advantages:

• Durable, lightweight, and waterproof.
• Great for sports.
• Comes in many different colors.
• Affordable material.

Disadvantages:

• Not as aesthetic compared to leather and metal bracelet.
• Not for formal occasions.

13) CERAMIC

Ceramic is not as common as the other watch band materials, but it is slowly gaining popularity in the market. Produced by high-tech engineering, these are composites of glass, silicon, graphite, and even diamond. They are strong, durable and also scratch resistant – All while being lightweight, which makes it comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Since they are also hypoallergenic, they can be worn by people who are allergic to metals.

If you are looking for a classy and aesthetic style, ceramic watch straps are great with it. Unfortunately, they tend to be very expensive and much harder to adjust when compared to the other designs.

Advantages:

• Scratch and heat resistant, great to wear under hot conditions.
• High durability and great aesthetics.

Disadvantages:

• Tend to be more expensive.
• Adjusting ceramic watch straps are very difficult and will require tools.

CHANGING WATCH STRAP WITH REMOVAL TOOL

For this method, you will need a spring bar tool.

1. Insert the fork tip of the tool between the case lug and strap.
2. Give it a small push to compress the spring bar, the strap should come off easily.
3. Insert the new strap. Make sure that it is in the correct direction, the shorter side should meet the 12 o’clock position of the watch.
4. Insert one end of the spring bar into lug hole first.
5. Use the fork end of the spring tool to compress the spring bar, then push it into the other lug hole.
6. The spring bar will snap into place, and you are done!

CHANGING WATCH STRAP WITHOUT REMOVAL TOOL

Don’t have a spring bar tool? Although it is a little more difficult, but no problem, you can also use a dull knife or hard plastic card to compress the spring bar and remove the strap.

The post 13 Types of Watch Straps and Materials (Which is The Best?) appeared first on Infinity Timewatch.