How did you become a strap guy/gal?

[AT1228]

Thought I might get more traction here than in the general TRF section.

Given this is a Rolex forum, I presume many of you here had/have a bracelet preference vs straps. When and how did you become a strap guy/gal when you got into Patek and other high end brands where the majority of their offerings are on straps?

I go through long periods where I really enjoy wearing straps more than timepieces on bracelets. Is it driven by aesthetics/ability to personalize? Comfort? Versatility? Maturing into a lifestyle where one doesn't need a rugged/waterproof bracelet all the time?

Interested as always to hear the community's breadth of thoughts, opinions, and experiences.

[Calatrava r]

Preference or not, it is summertime now in the US and most of the southern portion of the country faces 90 plus temps and humidity. If you are outdoors moving about for extended periods a bracelet is the way to go at the moment.

I tend to think most strap watch buyers work in more dressier places and a strap looks more appropriate for the occasion.

[geoach]

PP rubber on my 5066 perfect for summer.........more so than a big metal band

[sirish19]

Believe it or not, I really got into straps from when I had a Panerai as there really is a culture of straps with that brand (even though it is a big, chunky sports watch). I have since sold off the Panerai and now wear straps on my two dressier watches, Patek 5146g and Vacheron Patrimony. I have multiple straps in various colors for each of those watches as I do like to change things up a bit.

As others have said, summer heat (and in my case humidity here in Japan) make things very hard for straps in the summer so generally go with the Rolex GMT II, Sub, AP, or Omega Speedmaster on the bracelet (although I do put the Speedy on a strap for cooler months).

Since the pandemic, I have worked mostly from home so don't have to get out in the summer heat as much every day so do get to enjoy all of my watches year round.

I have just gotten a new Jean Rousseau strap for my Patek and got it with rubber backing so that I can feel a little more comfortable wearing it in the summertime.

[AT1228]

Originally Posted by sirish19

Believe it or not, I really got into straps from when I had a Panerai as there really is a culture of straps with that brand (even though it is a big, chunky sports watch). I have since sold off the Panerai and now wear straps on my two dressier watches, Patek 5146g and Vacheron Patrimony. I have multiple straps in various colors for each of those watches as I do like to change things up a bit.

As others have said, summer heat (and in my case humidity here in Japan) make things very hard for straps in the summer so generally go with the Rolex GMT II, Sub, AP, or Omega Speedmaster on the bracelet (although I do put the Speedy on a strap for cooler months).

Since the pandemic, I have worked mostly from home so don't have to get out in the summer heat as much every day so do get to enjoy all of my watches year round.

I have just gotten a new Jean Rousseau strap for my Patek and got it with rubber backing so that I can feel a little more comfortable wearing it in the summertime.

Thanks for sharing! Sounds like you have a great collection. Wearing my 5146g today as well before the warm weather comes back to the NYC area...Will need to look into a ordering a strap with a rubber backing in the future.

[sirish19]

Originally Posted by AT1228

Thanks for sharing! Sounds like you have a great collection. Wearing my 5146g today as well before the warm weather comes back to the NYC area...Will need to look into a ordering a strap with a rubber backing in the future.

I would definitely recommend looking at getting a strap with a rubber backing. JR actually offers an option to have it fully lined (with the rubber covering the stitching for an extra fee, but since I have enough watches on bracelet for when I am really going to be sweating so didn't think it would be necessary.

[jyaki]

This is exactly what I do. I never liked straps before because they would always get smelly from soaking up sweat over time. Since I tend to run hot and my skin gets clammy easily, I was always self-conscious when wearing a leather strap and would often take it off if I started to overheat. Ever since I found out that Jean Rousseau can apply a rubber backing to their straps, that’s what I’ve been doing for all of mine. Now it gives me peace of mind, not having to worry about my straps even when I’m wearing them in hot weather. It was truly a game changer!

[PhilLynott]

I used to be all about bracelets then a few years ago did a total 180 and now I don't think I even own a bracelet watch anymore. Just my personal preference I think almost every watch looks better on leather or rubber than bracelet.

[Ichiran]

Most of the artisanal independent watches I'm chasing now are in strap. They are special to me.

[jyaki]

Here's the rubber backing on my JR strap

[AT1228]

Originally Posted by jyaki

Here's the rubber backing on my JR strap

What reference is this strap attached to? Very cool sporty combination. Hope you're enjoying

[jyaki]

5320G. The alcantara strap gives it a more youthful aesthetic, making it a great daily wearer.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

Preference or not, it is summertime now in the US and most of the southern portion of the country faces 90 plus temps and humidity. If you are outdoors moving about for extended periods a bracelet is the way to go at the moment.

I tend to think most strap watch buyers work in more dressier places and a strap looks more appropriate for the occasion.

[AT1228]

Originally Posted by jyaki

5320G. The alcantara strap gives it a more youthful aesthetic, making it a great daily wearer.

Ugh. You HAD to show me a 5320g, didn't you? Very high on my want list. Some day. Beautiful piece

[jyaki]

Originally Posted by AT1228

Ugh. You HAD to show me a 5320g, didn't you? Very high on my want list. Some day. Beautiful piece

I love it, definitely recommend!

[Daytonaman799]

I tried but couldn’t do it

[DavidSB]

I take my watches on and off throughout the day so I wore bracelet watches mostly until I realized that adding a deployant buckle to a strap gave the same convenience with less risk of dropping the watch using a tang buckle. Straps now add a whole new dimension to my watch collecting.

My favorite and cost effective the the SS deployant from the 5935A. The last one cost $526 in Jan. 2023.

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by jyaki

Here's the rubber backing on my JR strap

Super combo Good idea to go for a rubber inside...

[sirish19]

Originally Posted by jyaki

Here's the rubber backing on my JR strap

Hi @jyaki, great strap and color combo by the way. I noticed that the rubber backing on your JR strap is applied on top of the stitching. As you can see from my photo above, mine was hand-stitched on top of the rubber backing. I had actually requested rubber AFTER I had placed the order so didn't really have a chance to talk with them much about it. They did tell me that they would charge an additional $100 to apply the rubber after the stitching but I passed on that option. Now, I have worn the watch on a very hot/humid day and I have realized that the sweat is seeping through the stitch holes.

My question is, with your rubber backing on top of stitching, does that 100% keep the sweat from seeping through? If so, I may have to take it back and have them redo the backing. I can just imagine that if the backing is mostly rubber and the sweat still seeps through, it may actually dry slower than if it were full leather.

[jyaki]

Originally Posted by sirish19

Hi @jyaki, great strap and color combo by the way. I noticed that the rubber backing on your JR strap is applied on top of the stitching. As you can see from my photo above, mine was hand-stitched on top of the rubber backing. I had actually requested rubber AFTER I had placed the order so didn't really have a chance to talk with them much about it. They did tell me that they would charge an additional $100 to apply the rubber after the stitching but I passed on that option. Now, I have worn the watch on a very hot/humid day and I have realized that the sweat is seeping through the stitch holes.

My question is, with your rubber backing on top of stitching, does that 100% keep the sweat from seeping through? If so, I may have to take it back and have them redo the backing. I can just imagine that if the backing is mostly rubber and the sweat still seeps through, it may actually dry slower than if it were full leather.

Hey @sirish19! I see you're in Tokyo, nice! I actually get my straps from JR in Ginza. As far as I know, they’ve been pretty bomb-proof. I no longer have to worry about moisture build up under the straps, which has been a huge relief. I love the rubber backing so much that I even asked JR if they could apply it to my original Patek straps, but they politely declined. Oh well, looks like they’ve got a lifelong customer anyway!

[TunaTuna]

This gal likes some of his watches on straps, some on bracelet.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by AT1228

Thought I might get more traction here than in the general TRF section.

Given this is a Rolex forum, I presume many of you here had/have a bracelet preference vs straps. When and how did you become a strap guy/gal when you got into Patek and other high end brands where the majority of their offerings are on straps?

I go through long periods where I really enjoy wearing straps more than timepieces on bracelets. Is it driven by aesthetics/ability to personalize? Comfort? Versatility? Maturing into a lifestyle where one doesn't need a rugged/waterproof bracelet all the time?

Interested as always to hear the community's breadth of thoughts, opinions, and experiences.

Great question and answers. I agree w all of the above and have been leaning into the straps and smaller watches heavy in the last few years.

Especially appreciate my 5 digit references for their accommodating lugholes.

[sirish19]

Originally Posted by jyaki

Hey @sirish19! I see you're in Tokyo, nice! I actually get my straps from JR in Ginza. As far as I know, they’ve been pretty bomb-proof. I no longer have to worry about moisture build up under the straps, which has been a huge relief. I love the rubber backing so much that I even asked JR if they could apply it to my original Patek straps, but they politely declined. Oh well, looks like they’ve got a lifelong customer anyway!

Hi @jyaki, yes, I am in Tokyo (so as you know, we are just about to reach the peak season for hot and humid days), hence the need for rubber backing for my straps.

Thanks for your reply. I am going to talk to JR to see about getting the backing for this strap redone to fully cover the stitching.

[Manofsteelpt]

I haven’t had a watch on bracelet since my RO QP 10 or more years ago. I love the look and comfort of a strap.

I would happily wear a DD or 5726 on bracelet though.