I am curious how many owners of the FOIS continue using the original strap. I have a feeling that the percentage of people who have switched to another strap is higher with the FOIS that with other watches. Do others feel that way?
Not sure about your hypothesis but I thought the strap that came with FOIS was a bit drab. Switched to this ostrich leg... IMO much more interesting.
I find that the straps that come with the FOIS and the CK2998 LE's are a tad too short for my 7.5" wrist so I had to swap my blue panda strap for an Omega nylon strap with deployant. More functional as well.
Mines still on the original strap which for me matches the watch perfectly, however here in Australia leather straps are not so much fun in summer so for summer I’ll change to nato. Great thing about the FOIS is so many options work with it.
I understand switching the strap if it doesn't fit well. However, I suspect that the original supplied strap (which I happen to like), is one of the least favored straps supplied with a new fine watch.
I actually like the original strap quite a bit...just preserving it for when I gift this thing to someone important in the distant future.
I also like the original strap, and after playing around with different variations I go back to it frequently. Have it on it at the moment as a matter of fact. If you have big wrists, though, I could understand why you’d want to use a different strap.
Though I like the original strap more than I anticipated, I found myself quickly swapping it out in favor of a nato
I like the original strap a lot. I changed mine up with speedy racing bracelet, nato and some cordura straps also. A very versatile watch....
There is not a single Omega watch that I keep with the original strap/bracelet. The only modern metal straps I like are the 1171, 1125 and those that come that with the 50th anniversary moonlanding steel and moonshine. I don't and won't have the last 2 and no Omega watches is now being sold with the 1171 or 1125. I also find natos quite ridiculous with that big chuck of material on the side (said differently natos are nice looking until you wear them). With regards to leather, Omega manages to manufacture expensive and rigid leather bands that I find quite distasteful. If I sell my watches someday (including the FOIS), I'll add a comment "original strap unworn" for sure.
FOIS strap in use elsewhere, I have the strap but not the watch. Its not a bad strap, just a little short. Being 19mm L2L it is of limited use with other pieces but works on the trilogy watches and other straight lug Speedmasters of course.
I had mine on the original leather strap, and it would still be on it, but the strap broke after about a years worth of wear. It is now on a black NATO which I happened to have lying around.
I either wear my FOIS on the original strap or try one of the bracelet options, like here the 1098/540.