Different Types of Watch Straps- A Definitive Guide
Are you an expert on watch strap? Or not? If not, then follow this article which can help you to enrich your basic knowledge on different types of watch straps.
A perfect strap is a compulsory part of a watch. But sometimes you might not get the perfect strap with the watch you buy. Or the strap can be damaged after using it for a long period.
That’s why you need to swap your watch strap with a new one. Because a watch strap is cheaper than an entire watch price. So it will be better to swap your strap instead of buying a new watch.
Changing your watch strap is a simple process. But it gives your watch a new mode and style.
Actually, the presence of a wide range of style, color and metals makes the watch swapping process easier.
In this article I will try to share everything about watch straps, their materials and special uses.
Without further ado, let’s return to our main topic.
Here we discuss only about types of watch straps, not about their color or matching. If you are confused about choosing watch strap color, then this article may not for you. You can follow the watch strap color guide.
When it comes to different types of watch material, first we have to know about different materials used to form watch straps.
Metal Bracelets
Metal is one of the most common watch strap materials. Watch straps can be made from low grade stainless steel to precious metal gold or platinum. These metals include various styles, colors also ensure smooth finishes.
Leather Watch Straps
Leather is another most used watch strap material. Like metal bracelets, leather bracelets also represent a wide range of styles.
As you might now imagine most leather comes from natural hides from an animal. Whether it’s a traditional cow or something like an exotic leather such as a lizard, alligator.
Now generally speaking leather straps are comfortable to wear. Also break over time like a good pair of shoes to create a near custom experience on the wrist.
Besides, one thing I want to mention about leather watch straps is that these take much more time than you would probably think.
More about – Leather or metal watch band.
Rubber Watch Straps
Another popular watch strap material is rubber. There are several rubber straps. One is natural rubber on most watches especially on the higher end.
These natural rubber as in vulcanized rubber stemming from the milky latex extracted from rubber trees.
Rubbers are typically paired with dive watches or other sports watches. They are non-absorbent and therefore do not get wet or need to dry. So they are great when just dipping into the water and quickly needing to dry off.
Silicone Watch Straps
Another traditional watch strap is silicon strap. This is incredibly durable and also an ideal strap to use in any kind of sport. Silicone strap comes in different types of styles and colors. Also, a silicon watch strap can make your timepiece elegant and luxurious.
It’s comfortable, moisture resistive and antibacterial properties make this strap more popular.
Nylon Watch Straps
The tradition of nylon strap comes from military watches. This bears the symbol expressing ruggedness and toughness of the military. This type of straps are also verified to be durable, comfortable and water-resistant.
Types of Watch Straps
As there are a lot of materials and a lot of brands make watch straps. They come in a large number of styles and colors. Even the number is so large that you cannot count.
Now I am going to share with you some most popular watch straps. This will help you to find one while swapping your strap.
Oyster Bracelet
Oyster bracelet was first introduced by Rolex in the late 1930s. Still Rolex’s Oyster bracelets are a very popular model as they are made of qualitative material.
Its long and thick three-piece link gives a unique design. Each link is strong as well as less prone to stretching due to the substantial central bar. The central wide bar also makes them durable.
Admittedly, fewer links decrease the number of potential break spots. On the other side, the strap feels a little stiffer than other bracelets due to the fewer swivel points.
Besides these features, it fits on your wrist perfectly and more importantly it fits the watch case as well.
According to its name, the original purpose of designing an Oyster bracelet was making a perfect timepiece for diving and water sports. But it is now popular to all kinds of people, even those who are not involved with diving or exploring.
Jubilee Bracelet
Like the Oyster bracelet Jubilee bracelet also introduced by Rolex in 1945 as the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Rolex.
This type of bracelet is famous as dress watches all over the world. At first this bracelet was made with gold only. Then they release it with other metal one by one.
Jubilee is characterized with polished center links and brushed outer links. The inner links are divided into three small, gleaming rows.
The only common problem of Jubilee is its inclination to stretch for long durations of time. The small links on the Jubilee compromise its structural integrity. The pins that hold each link together tend to stretch and loosen over time, progressively expanding past the wearer’s natural wrist size.
Though Jubilee-style bracelets are usually found on dive watches nowadays, they can accurately dress up a field or dress watch if paired correctly.
Mesh Bracelets
Mesh bracelets may be controversial in the watch enthusiast world. Whatever your feelings are about them, the history is fascinating.
Mesh bracelets gained popularity in the 1970s, when they were paired with dive watches worn by professional divers. One of the watches was the Omega Seamaster Ploprof 600m.
I like this bracelet for its delicate, pretty and shiny characteristics. Besides, Mesh bracelets fit well on the wrist. You will find Mesh bracelets with gold, silver or any other metals.
I suggest using Mesh as a stylish bracelet for daily life. Also it is a good option for horseback riding and good for any kind of exercise.
Though Omega’s marketing claims that its chainmail-like bracelets were “shark-proof,” these bracelets were later referred to as “shark mesh” before being simply called mesh.
But I’m not sure how useful a shark-proof bracelet is if a shark gets a grip of the wrist below it, but even the storyline is amazing. Haha.
Canvas
For many years, manufacturers have matched robust field and tool watches with canvas straps. Actually it is made with full natural materials. You also find many synthetic canvas straps.
These bracelets are more durable than their predecessors, as well as stain and water-resistant. Besides, canvas watch straps are characterized by soft, machine washable, fine stitching, optimal fit and wear well.
A canvas strap is an excellent choice for a diver or field watch. Rugged chunkiness feature of canvas strap inspires adventure.
NATO
NATO straps are made of a single component. A buckle, three keepers, and nylon webbing form the straps. The webbing has two ends, one long and one short, with the long wrapping around your wrist and the short locking the clock on the longer strap.
They thread between the spring bars and the casing for simple replacement.
Though the NATO strap is designed first for the British military. But its priorities are ever growing in modern watch enthusiasts.
Many people like to wear NATO straps with their divers or field watches due to rugged and durable features.
ZULU
Zulu straps are almost similar to NATO straps. Though both are made from one piece design, there are some minor mismatches between them. Like NATO’s, Zulu have not the additional shorter length made for weddings.
As Zulu and NATO both use nylon webbing they look similar on the wrist. But Zulu straps are slightly thicker than NATO. Therefore, Zulu straps have higher strength and durability.
They work great for field watches, divers’ watches, and sports watches, just like NATOs. They will look great paired with any tough, military-inspired watch.
What's the difference between a NATO strap and a Zulu strap?
Though NATO and ZULU have similar properties both in design and function. They also have some distinct and notable differences.
You already know that the history of the NATO strap is directly related to the military, but ZULU’s has not anything like this.
I already discussed that ZULU straps are thicker and rounder than NATO. Besides, larger ZULU straps support larger faces. On the other hand, when it comes to small watches NATO straps fit perfectly.
At the end of the day, personal preference sits on the high place. While one feels comfortable with a light NATO strap, at the same time another one will pick the bulky ZULU strap.
In the following video difference between a NATO strap and ZULU strap is described:
Rubber
Watch manufacturers have admitted rubber watch straps since the 1960s.
During the early period of rubber straps, they were made of polyurethane which is stiff, brittle and unattractive. As a result, from the few straps rubber strap is one which got a bad title.
But modern rubber straps overcome these problems. Now you feel comfortable with silicone vulcanized watch straps. These modern rubber compounds also give your strap a dignified look.
Admittedly, you can easily find perfect straps to fit your case properly, as straps with molded ends are available.
Perlon
Though the Perlon strap is actually made of Nylon (Nylon 6), its wonderful texture and weave make it unbeatable.
Incredibly Perlon straps are stronger than Nylon as well as give a dignified look.
Another important advantage of these straps is proper adjustment. Because you can thread the tang of your buckle through any point in the weave.
This is one of my favorite watch straps. If you want to feel nothing on your wrist, then you have to choose perlon.
It is important for you that since this strap is available with a colorful design, you have to choose the perfect one which matches your dress best.
Final Thoughts
It is almost impossible to answer the question- which is the best watch strap? As the choice varies from person to person. One prefers Oyster where another one prefers Nato or Mesh or Zulu.
So thinking about all kinds of people I try to give a short list of different types of watch straps. Though it does not cover all common straps, in the near future I will add them in this article.
Finally pick up the watch which makes you happy and enjoy it!!!!!
All about this article is about different types of watch straps. Read this you want to know about different types of watches.