Aesthetically, what does this stitching add?

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I see many straps these days with this lighter colored stitching near the lugs, and I’m trying to figure out what it adds aesthetically. To my eye, the light color draws your attention to it, rather that to the watch itself.

Do you like them? Or would you prefer the strap without?
 
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Perfect occasion for the new vomit emoji: 🤮

Just a cheap way to sew a strap that somehow became trendy. They certainly don't belong on watches like those in the OP.
 
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For me, I like the strap on the Datejust, but not so much on the Omega. A beautiful watch that I would prefer on an alligator strap.

Dibs on the Datejust.
 
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I must admit that I don't mind these. I have a large wrist and the stitches help make the wrist presence a little larger on smaller watches.

 
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I have one strap of that style on a Zodiac Sea Wolf. I have never been fond of it. The style is ok on a tool or dive watch, but looks dreadful on a dress or town watch in my opinion.

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Been collecting since 1979 and never saw these two-stitch straps until a couple of years ago when, all of a sudden, they were the in-thing. To me they are weak and blah.
 
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To add more to this, if a strap is a single layer, the double stitch at the lugs is designed to reinforce the lug area which would be a weak point. In a multi layered strap, side stitching is preferred and takes care of the weakness at the lugs.

That’s likely why this gets considered “vintage”, as those straps are more often a single layer, thinner, and would have an inherent weak point at the lug and buckle so extra stitches would benefit those areas.
 
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Omega provided this design with all 3 of the Trilogy watches so they at least see some merit in it. I don’t dislike it personally but agree it works best on tool watches.
 
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Omega provided this design with all 3 of the Trilogy watches so they at least see some merit in it. I don’t dislike it personally but agree it works best on tool watches.
Indeed they did - I have one from Omega on my SM120:



I like it, personally, but everyone's tastes are different.
 
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Indeed they did - I have one from Omega on my SM120:



I like it, personally, but everyone's tastes are different.
To be fair, it works on that watch.
 
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I would agree, on a pure dress watch, no date / minimal accoutrements, the look is a little jarring.
 
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It definitely doesn’t work on a vintage dress watch. The stitching is too “gross” and not refined enough for simple and elegant dials. Not fond either of this style.
 
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I see many straps these days with this lighter colored stitching near the lugs, and I’m trying to figure out what it adds aesthetically. To my eye, the light color draws your attention to it, rather that to the watch itself.

Do you like them? Or would you prefer the strap without?

I can handle the Omega shown with that strap, not as bad/distasteful as the same watch on a NATO strap 😜
 
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I can handle the Omega shown with that strap, not as bad/distasteful as the same watch on a NATO strap 😜
Yep, I don’t like NATOs very much - if at all 😳
 
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I sometimes like it .. watches need to be sporty. The threads can compliment the dial or hands if well selected.