I can now safely conclude: I'm strange

Donn Chambers · Jul 5, 2020

buramu
After reading this forum for a few weeks I can only conclude that I'm strange and different: I seriously dislike metal bracelets. So much so that I wouldn't even wear a watch with one.

Most (all?) people around here seem to be into metal bracelets on their luxury watches, but to me it makes all watches look bland and samey ... just a mass of blingy steel with a slightly thicker metal blob in the middle - which should be the proud focal point if only my eyes weren't so distracted by all the steel around it 😀

The worst aspect of metal bracelets to me is that it hides the characteristic shapes of the lugs, which are often the most beautifully sculpted parts of a watch and one of the key aspects that gives a watch its own personality.

Go ahead.. tell me I'm crazy 😉

not strange at all, and a lot of people prefer straps - there’s a reason Omega offers almost all their sports watches on strap of some sort as an alternative. If people didn’t buy them, they wouldn’t do it. Although I occasionally wear the bracelet, I wear most of my watches on a strap. It’s far more comfortable, IMO, and as you note, it really emphasizes the watch more.

dougwhiz · Jul 5, 2020

I generally prefer a thin leather strap on a vintage watch as opposed to the the thicker Natos. I like to contrast the strap color with the dial color. A perforated, or rally style leather strap also mixes well with a casual or sport watch. For the summer, my newest find has been the Chevron straps from Crown and Buckle. They're Perlon straps without the bulk of the Natos.

krogerfoot · Jul 5, 2020

Tony C.
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned heat. I wear leather straps most of the time, but in hot summer weather, nothing can match the relative comfort of a good steel bracelet.

Even metal bracelets are little help in my hot, humid environment. Tokyo has a relatively short, mild summer compared to say, Houston, but the norm of walking to/waiting for public transportation outside in the unmediated heat means I'm exposed to it much more than in Texas, where we spend most of the year scuttling from one air-conditioned space to another. I've had more than one leather band disintegrate while I was wearing it in the summer. Synthetic NATO straps keep the metal case off your skin, which is certainly an added benefit.

3nicewatches · Jul 5, 2020

Tony C.
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned heat. I wear leather straps most of the time, but in hot summer weather, nothing can match the relative comfort of a good steel bracelet.

I find rubber straps the most comfortable in the Summer. Actually, I find them the most comfortable at any time of year, now that I think about it. I just got a Hirsch rubber strap to replace the leather one on my Blancpain for the Summer. It’s so damn comfortable I might never put the leather one back on!

MikiJ · Jul 5, 2020

JwRosenthal
And I’ve never met a Rolex that didn’t look better on a factory bracelet than on strap- there, I said it!

Totally agree !

RonJ · Jul 5, 2020

I agree, I like both the metal bracelet and the leather straps for different watches.

For me, pretty much every Rolex, a metal Oyster or Jubilee bracelet works well.

I like Speedmaster Pro watches with both a bracelet and leather straps.
I'm thinking I need to buy a second Speedy just to keep it on a leather band.

TimeODanaos · Jul 5, 2020

JwRosenthal
...I’ve never met a Rolex that didn’t look better on a factory bracelet than on strap- there, I said it!

In Realworld, can't remember when I last even saw a Rolex not wearing metal. It would even feel wrong a little. No idea why though...

RonJ · Jul 5, 2020

The really crazy thing is, I think I now "need" 3 Speedy watches.

I love the look of an 1171 bracelet.
But my vintage Speedy uses the flat bracelet (145.022-68-ST).

So, I can see myself eventually owning 3 different Speedy watches, one with a flat link bracelet, one with an 1171 bracelet, and one with a leather strap.

Now, if that isn't a "First World problem", I don't know what is. 😀

JwRosenthal · Jul 5, 2020

TimeODanaos
In Realworld, can't remember when I last even saw a Rolex not wearing metal. It would even feel wrong a little. No idea why though...

I have tried it on all on all 3 of my Rolexes and even loved my GMT on a Shell Cordovan strap for about a year- but always came back to Stainless on it.

and it actually looks pretty good on the NATO. But then I have that wart hanging off the back of my wrist.

time flies · Jul 5, 2020

JwRosenthal
I have tried it on all on all 3 of my Rolexes and even loved my GMT on a Shell Cordovan strap for about a year- but always came back to Stainless on it.

and it actually looks pretty good on the NATO. But then I have that wart hanging off the back of my wrist.

Wart on the front. Wart on the back. Is there a problem? 😀

have fun
kfw

Pazzo · Jul 5, 2020

alam
don’t worry, this is how I ended after confessing my dislike towards NATO straps... 😜

.

... +1 ... and Bund.

Omegafanman · Jul 6, 2020

I wear gshock a lot (plastic) and a DSOTM (Nylon) and I have a few watches (especially the vintage ones) with leather straps.... but for some reason I always gravitate to a bracelet - that was one reason I got a steel 9300 which I alternate with the DSOTM. In terms of fit I have a strong preference for steel watches and bracelets. I ended up getting a bracelet for my Globemaster despite the fact it still looks good / better on the blue leather strap IMHO. I am not sure why I am stuck with this psychological block. I would like a Lange 1 but I cant imagine spending that much on a leather strap watch...which knocks a lot of high end watches off my list (good for the pocket). I have never seen a bracelet option that works for me on Lange 1.... I clearly have issues :0)

buramu · Jul 6, 2020

Omegafanman
I wear gshock a lot (plastic) and a DSOTM (Nylon) and I have a few watches (especially the vintage ones) with leather straps.... but for some reason I always gravitate to a bracelet - that was one reason I got a steel 9300 which I alternate with the DSOTM. In terms of fit I have a strong preference for steel watches and bracelets. I ended up getting a bracelet for my Globemaster despite the fact it still looks good / better on the blue leather strap IMHO. I am not sure why I am stuck with this psychological block. I would like a Lange 1 but I cant imagine spending that much on a leather strap watch...which knocks a lot of high end watches off my list (good for the pocket). I have never seen a bracelet option that works for me on Lange 1.... I clearly have issues :0)

Yes, that sounds like the reverse issue I have 😀

When trying to decide between the Speedy Pro and the FOIS I unconsciously always gravitated towards the FOIS because it is always displayed on leather versus the Pro which is usually shown on a bracelet. Went for the Pro anyway after forcing myself to look past the included straps (but I ordered the one with the black leather strap obviously)...

Omegafanman · Jul 6, 2020

buramu
Yes, that sounds like the reverse issue I have 😀

When trying to decide between the Speedy Pro and the FOIS I unconsciously always gravitated towards the FOIS because it is always displayed on leather versus the Pro which is usually shown on a bracelet. Went for the Pro anyway after forcing myself to look past the included straps (but I ordered the one with the black leather strap obviously)...

For a while I owned two modern Speedys because I also like to keep watches on original straps / don't change straps much (I also wanted to check out the new 'huge' presentation box compared to my 3570.50.00).... I moved the leather one on in the end and got a Seamaster trinity 57 (which stays on the bracelet). I have to say the Speedy did look good with the leather + deployant… but still bracelet and clasp all the way for me... Thanks for the post / helping me face my inner demons :0)…. FOIS is also a very nice watch by the way- nice choice for many. But I am more Apollo era.

Archer · Jul 6, 2020

JwRosenthal
And I’ve never met a Rolex that didn’t look better on a factory bracelet than on strap- there, I said it!

I'll be maybe the lone dissenter here. For me, something like a rose gold or yellow gold Day Date on a nice croc strap can look quite elegant. On the full gold bracelet, it screams "old man's watch" so I would definitely prefer it on a strap.

ChiefMark · Jul 6, 2020

Archer
I'll be maybe the lone dissenter here. For me, something like a rose gold or yellow gold Day Date on a nice croc strap can look quite elegant. On the full gold bracelet, it screams "old man's watch" so I would definitely prefer it on a strap.

There comes a time when it doesn’t matter if you put on a bright red Swatch, a Casio, or a PO on an orange rubber strap... it screams “old man’s watch” because you’re wearing it and you’re old. 😁

JwRosenthal · Jul 6, 2020

Archer
I'll be maybe the lone dissenter here. For me, something like a rose gold or yellow gold Day Date on a nice croc strap can look quite elegant. On the full gold bracelet, it screams "old man's watch" so I would definitely prefer it on a strap.

I should have qualified- stainless sport models. Totally agree, very few men can pull off a gold/gold Rolex without looking like an 80’s record producer.

they do look nice on earth-tone exotics.

Larry S · Jul 6, 2020

Honestly, I cannot wear a sports watch without a bracelet. Straps are OK for watches not destined for the water. I don’t really like rubber straps either.

Barking mad · Jul 6, 2020

I am ok with straps or bracelets, each has their occasion.

buramu · Jul 6, 2020

Barking mad
I am ok with straps or bracelets, each has their occasion.

People who have been to the moon < moonwatches in your collection 👍

I can now safely conclude: I'm strange

Donn Chambers

dougwhiz

krogerfoot

3nicewatches

MikiJ

RonJ

TimeODanaos

RonJ

JwRosenthal

time flies

Pazzo

Omegafanman

buramu

Omegafanman

Archer

ChiefMark

JwRosenthal

Larry S

Barking mad

buramu

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