When you choose a luxury watch, one aspect that you will want to consider for both practical and aesthetic reasons is the style of the watch strap or bracelet. There are various different styles, each of which will suit different purposes.
You can also, of course, choose to change your watch strap; this is generally quite easy to do with most models, and some even feature fast-change mechanisms to make the process exceptionally simple. This means that, in most cases, you should not choose a less-favoured watch simply because it doesn’t have your preferred style of strap attached!
The material from which your watch strap or bracelet is made will have a significant impact on both function and form.
Rubber: Ideal for sports, particularly water sports. Rubber straps will stay in place and will endure getting wet better than some other materials. They look sporty, so may appear out of place in a formal setting.
Examples: Rubber straps can be found on the striking Breitling Avenger Seawolf II, the Raymond Weil Nabucco Open Balance Wheel Watch, and the Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M Watch, amongst others.
Leather: A classic choice, with a wide variety available in terms of colour, texture and style; you can choose elegant thin straps or sturdy wide options. Whilst leather straps can match well with any style, they are less tolerant of water so are not suitable for diving or sailing watches.
Examples: Leather straps grace the Omega DeVille Tresor Master Co-axial Yellow Gold Watch, the Bremont ALT1-WT Worldtimer Watch and the Longines Master Collection Watch, as well as many others.
Metal: Steel and gold being the most prevalent, a metal bracelet gives you a strong, durable option and, on a gentleman’s watch, can enhance the masculine effect. This style again matches most outfits, but you will not find after-market metal bands as readily as other styles. This makes the exception to the rule; if you have your heart set on a metal band, you may wish to look only at watches that are designed with this option.
Examples: The TAG Heuer Formula 1 GMT Calibre 7 Automatic Watch offers a stainless steel bracelet; the Raymond Weil Toccata Gents Bi Colour Watch has a steel and gold bracelet, and the Cartier Calibre de Cartier Watch offers an 18 ct Rose Gold bracelet.
Material: Increasingly popular, particularly in the form of the “NATO” strap, so-called because of its popularity with the armed forces. These single-piece straps offer extra security and, because they are available in a wide range of colours, are excellent for a more modern style. Whilst it can endure getting wet well, material straps will take longer to dry.
Examples: The Alpina Pilot Small Seconds Watch has a material strap, whilst the Givenchy Seventeen GY100181S04 and the new Limited Edition Omega Seamaster 300 Spectre Watch both feature a NATO style material strap.
Whatever style of watch strap you prefer, it is worth enquiring if it is available on your preferred watch, or if the maker offers official replacement straps; Omega, for example, offer a selection of official NATO style straps to suit their timepieces. You may even decide to collect a range of straps, so that you can change them to wear your favourite timepiece with the most appropriate strap for any occasion.
For more information on watch straps, on Omega watches or any of the other brands and models featured here, please get in touch with us on 01524 384858 or visit our Lancaster store.
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