Why use straps???

[steel4me]

I have seen many of your watches on straps. I am just wondering what your reasons are for using $20 straps after spending thousands on a watch?

1) bored with SS/TT bracelets?
2) trying to change the look, the way GMT II folks switch color inserts?
3) easier to wear?
4) trying to save the bracelet from scratches?
5) lighten the weight?

I am thinking of getting Maratac "S-Series" Zulu straps for my seiko monsters
but not my rolexes...

thanks,

[Timber Loftis]

An Expy II on a bond NATO strap looks soooooo cool and is soooooo comfortable. That's why.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by steel4me

I have seen many of your watches on straps. I am just wondering what your reasons are for using $20 straps after spending thousands on a watch?

1) bored with SS/TT bracelets?
2) trying to change the look, the way GMT II folks switch color inserts?
3) easier to wear?
4) trying to save the bracelet from scratches?
5) lighten the weight?

I am thinking of getting Maratac "S-Series" Zulu straps for my seiko monsters
but not my rolexes...

thanks,

Give the man a cigar!! Most sensible post on TRF in recent times!!

[seantk]

I occasionally throw a Maratac NATO on the Sea Dweller just to mix things up and change the look. However, my original bracelet stays on my watch 99% of the time

Sean

[timetravel125]

Straps can give a Rolex watch a different character, that you don't see when it's on a bracelet. They're comfy, too. You can also choose from different colors and design. Variety, is good.

[Tareg]

I've never been into straps, but thanks to the generosity of fellow member Daytona1 i've been wearing my SD on a NATO strap for the last 2 days and it's great!

1.So much more comfortable than the Oyster bracelet
2.The extra lightness makes the wearing of the watch hardly noticeable.
3.I'm from London, but am currently working in the Caribbean. With the hot humid weather I find there's much less skin irritation which I used to get with the oyster bracelet.
4.I also find i'm less self conscious about dinging/scratching the bracelet when going about normal daily activities, so I can actually enjoy my watch more.
5.I found it relatively easy to switch bracelets.

The oyster bracelet is obviously a lot more attractive, but I think I'll be wearing my oyster for 'going out'/evening occasions and will keep the strap on during the day/normal activities.

[Widows Son]

Because a true dress watch should be on a strap, black of course. Sports watches can be on a braclet, or rubber strap. I even have several of my gold watches on brown straps for casual dress. $20.00 straps??? You can spend hundreds of dollars on croc and lizard straps. I just priced a rubber strap for by Breitling, $275.00, ouch!!!

[Mrdi]

SAFETY.
If a spring bar breaks on a bracelet the watch is gone.
If a spring bar breaks on a NATO strap the watch is still attached to your wrist.
Albeit one springbar, it is still attached.
In a combat situation that makes very good sense.
That is why they are typically used in the military.

[Erix]

Originally Posted by Tareg

I've never been into straps, but thanks to the generosity of fellow member Daytona1 i've been wearing my SD on a NATO strap for the last 2 days and it's great!

1.So much more comfortable than the Oyster bracelet
2.The extra lightness makes the wearing of the watch hardly noticeable.
3.I'm from London, but am currently working in the Caribbean. With the hot humid weather I find there's much less skin irritation which I used to get with the oyster bracelet.
4.I also find i'm less self conscious about dinging/scratching the bracelet when going about normal daily activities, so I can actually enjoy my watch more.
5.I found it relatively easy to switch bracelets.

The oyster bracelet is obviously a lot more attractive, but I think I'll be wearing my oyster for 'going out'/evening occasions and will keep the strap on during the day/normal activities.

x2 Nato rules

[Erix]

Summer season = Nato 99% of the time. by far the most comfortable.
Winter season = Bund black leather strap 99 % of the time.

On occasion Oyster bracelet

[Lisa]

I'm in the market for a strap for a few reasons. Comfort, better fit for a man's watch, variety, and to try something different. Fit and comfort are number one, though. Oh - and also so I don't have to tear up a permanent link on the bracelet. My husband will be able to wear it sometimes if he wants to and the original bracelet will still be useable.

[Flash Gordon]

Originally Posted by Widows Son

Because a true dress watch should be on a strap, black of course. Sports watches can be on a braclet, or rubber strap. I even have several of my gold watches on brown straps for casual dress. $20.00 straps??? You can spend hundreds of dollars on croc and lizard straps. I just priced a rubber strap for by Breitling, $275.00, ouch!!!

Amen! My vintage Rolex would look just awful with a bracelet. The croc strap with gold deployant cost me $$$, not $20!

[rkboyer911]

Just had a guy tell me to be sure and wear my SD on a strap when diving......He said "Don't ask me how.... I know just belive me" I just cringed!!

[scottjal]

Generally agree with all of steel4me and Tareg listed reasons. For me comfort and lightness are top of the list, and I swap them to keep a fresh look now and again.

[buz-lh]

Comfort is high on the list but I like the different looks you can get from a variety of straps. The bracelet is the bracelet, the strap is the strap.... The watch is the Rolex. That being said I would never put my 16613 on a strap.

[JimSnyder]

Originally Posted by Lisa

I'm in the market for a strap for a few reasons. Comfort, better fit for a man's watch, variety, and to try something different. Fit and comfort are number one, though. Oh - and also so I don't have to tear up a permanent link on the bracelet. My husband will be able to wear it sometimes if he wants to and the original bracelet will still be useable.

Ahhhhh... Piffle!

[daytona1]

Straps are just comfortable. Since I added the NATO to my GMTIIc I havent taken it off since.

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by Erix

x2 Nato rules

For a Sub, SD, or GMT I totally agree!

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by JimSnyder

Ahhhhh... Piffle!

I know you mean that in a nice way. You know, come to think of it, having a variety of straps will help keep all your Rolexes from looking the same! Somebody tell Bubba...

[mcubed]

I have often thought of putting my sub on a rubber strap to "lower its profile" for travel etc. I have noticed that personally, when I notice a rolex on someone else, it is the bracelet and the unique clasp that gives it away, since you often can't see the face well enough. On a rubber strap, the chance of your rolex being spotted are less. Also, with a strap, you have the option of wearing the watch with the buckle out, then no one can see what you are wearing, if you do that with the bracelet, you will be exposing the big honking crown on the clasp. I have yet to switch it over however.

[JimSnyder]

Originally Posted by Lisa

I know you mean that in a nice way. You know, come to think of it, having a variety of straps will help keep all your Rolexes from looking the same! Somebody tell Bubba...

Of course Have you decided on one yet?

[steel4me]

thank you for all your reasons folks ... for me, just personally, a rolex doesn't look like a rolex if the bracelet is gone ( I mean for SS models) ...I mean after spending a ton on these watches, I really don't feel like taking any part off and replacing it ... I find the bracelets add to the appal of the SS models, for me that it .... so I will not experiment with the rolexes but my seikos are fair game ....in fact they are gonna look really nice with MARATAC colorful straps then with the crappy bracelet they came with and I will wear them more than I do now ,...

thank you for all your responses!!

take are and goodnight!!

[cmr]

i would never put any type of strap on my rolex and i disagree that a true dress watch is on a leather strap. a true dress watch is on a solid platinum presidential bracelet, not a piece of your belt you put on your watch in the mens room because your bracelet had a screw come loose. it is most certainly not on a piece of nylon or part of your cars tire.

[Mrdi]

Will trade a new Nato, your choice of colors, for a Jubilee.

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by JimSnyder

Of course Have you decided on one yet?

No! Needy little children distract me from my online shopping.