Looking for strap recommendation: SM300 8400

ErichPryde · Feb 14, 2023

Hey all, new member here. After a lot of research, I just got my first Omega: a SM300 233.30.41.21.01.001. It came with both the OEM steel bracelet and the 007 Nato style strap that normally went with the Spectre limited SM.

I'm looking for additional, higher-quality strap options that somewhat mimic the feel and quality of the Omega OEM nato strap. I've got a black 22mm nato I tried the watch on and it looks fantastic on just a plain black nato, but it's a strap I picked up for a Citizen on a whim and hance't used because it is ridiculously uncomfortable to wear for more than a day. I prefer single pass, or modifying NATO straps to single pass (and I strongly hesitate to do that to the 007 strap).

I have a limited amount of experience with Zuludiver's straps, and they seem ok to nice. No experience with Crown & Buckle, although I am considering their Matte line, as I would prefer matte to shiny (to more closely work with the "sandblast" black dial).

Any recommendations are welcome! Thank you, and I look forward to getting to know you all.

Trog · Feb 14, 2023

Picked up one of Omega's NASA Velcro straps for my Snoops. Very comfortable.

Scooterino36 · Feb 14, 2023

For this model, I have an Artem sailcloth that goes with an Omega deployant. But I mostly wear it on a crown and buckle NATO of various colors. I always convert them to single pass, if they don't already come with that option.

ErichPryde · Feb 14, 2023

Very cool on that watch! I like the velcro straps and I have a Zulu diver Velcro. I don't think a velcro strap that says NASA on it is appropriate for a seamaster, if I had gotten a Speedmaster, and it was close, I definitely would have gone this route. I have considered ordering a gas gas bones strap, but Carl is currently taking a break.

The only complaint I have about the Omega NASA strap, and it is the same complaint I share with a Zulu driver version, is that there is not enough material to cover the entirety of the nylon.

Trog
Picked up one of Omega's NASA Velcro straps for my Snoops. Very comfortable.

ErichPryde · Feb 14, 2023

Nice. I hadn't seriously considered getting a deployant, but my wife did actually recommend that this morning. Of the crown and buckle NATO straps that you have been using, which color do you feel personally, and I realize that that is highly subjective, looks the best on this watch?

Scooterino36
For this model, I have an Artem sailcloth that goes with an Omega deployant. But I mostly wear it on a crown and buckle NATO of various colors. I always convert them to single pass, if they don't already come with that option.

Donn Chambers · Feb 14, 2023

A few suggestions, with pictures (I used to own that version):

1) Artem sailcloth. Can be had with a deployant or a tang buckle. Still rock this on the newer version - very comfortable and is a very appropriate strap for a dive watch.

2) Tan (golden) leather. This is a Barenia leather one I had made by Genteel straps, but there is a similar OEM one and you can find similar ones on tang buckles after market. Just make sure to use 21mm pins for straps, not the ones that came on the bracelet. Those are 20mm and could come unseated. I think the tan color matches the lume nicely, but not everyone likes brown/tan straps.

Finally, NATO straps. The Spectre strap looks good, as does black, but don’t be scared to experiment with color. I think Orange/black looks nice as well. I wore this combo a lot in the summer.

It also looks amazing on the NTTD NATO. Lots of manufacturer make 22mm versions with the same (or similar) stripe colors.

Enjoy experimenting.

ErichPryde · Feb 14, 2023

@Donn Chambers I appreciate the recommendations. I am a fan of brown straps and I was thinking along the same lines- that brown would strongly compliment the "vintage" look of the recessed lume markers. I have a Color#8 cordovan strap for a larger watch that I got from DaLuca- it's too big for this watch unfortunately (23mm!), but it's ridiculously comfortable and I've definitely considered getting another for this watch, in a very slightly lighter shade. I was also thinking Sand or coyote should work well with the markers? That said, plain black seems to blend with the dial and *appears* to make the face of this watch look larger, which I like.

Right now though my focus is on daily wear straps that can handle dips in the sink or the lake, and don't mind a bit of dirt from work in the garden. Nylon fits that bill nicely (as does Sailcloth, I'd imagine?), whereas dressier leather doesn't.

I'll look into the Artem Sailcloth option, thanks! appreciate the pics as well.

ErichPryde · Feb 14, 2023

@Scooterino36 @Donn Chambers how do I go about this? purchase a deployant from Omega? Did you attach the deployant yourself, or send it to Artem? Thanks in advance.

Donn Chambers · Feb 15, 2023

ErichPryde
@Scooterino36 @Donn Chambers how do I go about this? purchase a deployant from Omega? Did you attach the deployant yourself, or send it to Artem? Thanks in advance.

my Seamaster came on the strap with the deployant. You can buy one from an AD if you want one - they probably won’t have one in stock, so you will likely have to wait.

Artem sells their own variation of the deployant - it’s a little thicker and narrower than the Omega one, but works the same. Just order it along with the strap you want. The deployant is easy to attach yourself - just need an 18mm springbar and tool.

Scooterino36 · Feb 15, 2023

ErichPryde
Nice. I hadn't seriously considered getting a deployant, but my wife did actually recommend that this morning. Of the crown and buckle NATO straps that you have been using, which color do you feel personally, and I realize that that is highly subjective, looks the best on this watch?

My default is gray, but I have a variety. Generally prefer earth tone solids.

ErichPryde · Feb 15, 2023

Scooterino36
My default is gray, but I have a variety. Generally prefer earth tone solids.

Thank you. Have you managed to find a good mid-brown that isn't too glossy? looks like the matte/gloss ratio on your straps is about right.

How do you like this watch on light OD?

Scooterino36 · Feb 15, 2023

ErichPryde
Thank you. Have you managed to find a good mid-brown that isn't too glossy? looks like the matte/gloss ratio on your straps is about right.

How do you like this watch on light OD?

Brown is on far left, looks lighter in the photo. Olive drab looks good on any black dial sports watch in my opinion.

ErichPryde · Feb 15, 2023

Scooterino36
Brown is on far left, looks lighter in the photo. Olive drab looks good on any black dial sports watch in my opinion.

Thank you are those all C&B straps?

ErichPryde · Feb 16, 2023

@Donn Chambers another question if you have a moment, for what reason do you not wear the artem sailcloth strap often? Is it less comfortable than it NATO or are you more concerned about wear on the band? I haven't had a rubber watch band in decades and have no experience with sailcloth.

Thank you all for the help!

georgiadawgger · Feb 16, 2023

Crown and Buckle chevron straps are nice. Single pass and adjustable.

If you’re considering deployant, I recommend getting an original Omega ($260) at a boutique or dealer. The fit is much nicer than the Artem clasp, which others have mentioned is shorter.

Scottie · Feb 16, 2023

My everyday watch, I change the straps now and again. The bracelet is too shiny for my taste.

ErichPryde · Feb 16, 2023

georgiadawgger
Crown and Buckle chevron straps are nice. Single pass and adjustable.

If you’re considering deployant, I recommend getting an original Omega ($260) at a boutique or dealer. The fit is much nicer than the Artem clasp, which others have mentioned is shorter.

Thank you for the response. Does the Omega deployant have that tiny amount of adjustability like their bracelets?

I think it is very likely that this is the strap that I would want, my watch came with both the bracelet and the Spectre style NATO, but I get my watch wet a lot. I do a ton of cooking, it's in the rain, it's under the hose, it's in the lake. I like NATOs but they can take a bit to dry out.

Also, I really want to go for my own look, not a Bond style look. No criticism to anyone who likes that look, my wife seems to love the bond strap-- I just need to find a look that also matches my daily needs, and the more I read and watch about sailcloth the more it seems that it may fit that.

ErichPryde · Feb 16, 2023

Scottie
My everyday watch, I change the straps now and again. The bracelet is too shiny for my taste.

Agreed, the links on the bracelet are far too polished in too many places.

That's a nice looking strap.

EDIT: specifically, the second one with the subtle stitching that probably offsets the "vintage" lume. Absolutely beautiful. Who made that one?

YY77 · Feb 16, 2023

ErichPryde
Does the Omega deployant have that tiny amount of adjustability like their bracelets?

You can adjust it by setting it to the pinhole above or below the hole you're wearing it on the long side of the strap like you would for a normal pinbuckle strap.

ErichPryde · Feb 16, 2023

YY77
You can adjust it by setting it to the pinhole above or below the hole you're wearing it on the long side of the strap like you would for a normal pinbuckle strap.

Thank you!

Looking for strap recommendation: SM300 8400

ErichPryde

Trog

Scooterino36

ErichPryde

ErichPryde

Donn Chambers

ErichPryde

ErichPryde

Donn Chambers

Scooterino36

ErichPryde

Scooterino36

ErichPryde

ErichPryde

georgiadawgger

Scottie

ErichPryde

ErichPryde

YY77

ErichPryde

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