Looking for strap recommendation: SM300 8400

Donn Chambers · Feb 16, 2023

ErichPryde
@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!

I actually wore it more than the bracelet on the Seamaster 300 model you have. But a on the new version, I find the bracelet so nice it’s hard not to wear it on the bracelet!

ErichPryde · Feb 16, 2023

Donn Chambers
I actually wore it more than the bracelet on the Seamaster 300 model you have. But a on the new version, I find the bracelet so nice it’s hard not to wear it on the bracelet!

Strong agree on the new bracelet, it really is absolutely fantastic compared to this one.

Scooterino36 · Feb 16, 2023

ErichPryde
Thank you are those all C&B straps?

All Crown & Buckle. I also have a tropic rubber strap that I like to wear in the summer on this model.

The 21/18 version:
https://bulangandsons.com/products/nautic-basket-weave-black-rubber-watch-strap

munichblue · Feb 16, 2023

The way God intended it to be?

ErichPryde · Feb 16, 2023

My wife loves this strap, and it's what I've been wearing it on the last several days. I'm not as much a fan because of the double-pass nature of the strap and have mixed feelings about the Bond callback. I completely respect the look and the watch looks *objectively* good on the strap, but I *subjectively* don't like it on myself.

No idea if that makes sense, I've got a weird internal set of complicated rules for things.

Nice watch!

munichblue
The way God intended it to be?

ErichPryde · Feb 16, 2023

Scooterino36
All Crown & Buckle. I also have a tropic rubber strap that I like to wear in the summer on this model.

The 21/18 version:
https://bulangandsons.com/products/nautic-basket-weave-black-rubber-watch-strap

I appreciate it. I'll see how I like my C&B, should be here tomorrow. May have to hit up the local-ish OB and see if I can get a deployant ordered as well.

Scooterino36 · Feb 17, 2023

Back on the bracelet recently. I had mine brushed, which is actually how the bracelet is finished on the Spectre edition.

munichblue · Feb 17, 2023

ErichPryde
…

No idea if that makes sense, I've got a weird internal set of complicated rules for things.

…

Don't we all have that? 😁

Scottie · Feb 17, 2023

ErichPryde
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?

Hi, I got them both from Finwatchstraps.com of Helsinki, very reasonably priced. I agree the orange one is not suited to the watch.

ErichPryde · Feb 17, 2023

Scooterino36
Back on the bracelet recently. I had mine brushed, which is actually how the bracelet is finished on the Spectre edition.

This is honestly fantastic looking. 😲 Where did you have that done?

ErichPryde · Feb 17, 2023

munichblue
Don't we all have that? 😁

Touche! 😁

Scooterino36 · Feb 17, 2023

ErichPryde
This is honestly fantastic looking. 😲 Where did you have that done?

I went to a local watch dealer and they did it for me. I dropped the bracelet off and picked it up a week or two later. Cost under $100.

ErichPryde · Feb 17, 2023

Scottie
Hi, I got them both from Finwatchstraps.com of Helsinki, very reasonably priced. I agree the orange one is not suited to the watch.

Thanks Scottie. I'm quickly learning that there are WAY more strapmakers than the small bubble I've been in.

ErichPryde · Feb 21, 2023

So, I've been wearing the NATO strap from C&B this weekend. Overall I like how it looks. However, when I received it I noted that it wasn't a true "single pass" strap- it was made with a nylon second pass which was then removed by C&B and melted in the same fashion I would have done it at home, although with nearly a centimeter of excess nylon still remaining.

Yesterday the strap started to become very uncomfortable, and after checking it, I noted that one of the melted edges had come up and was digging directly into my wrist. Ridiculously rough and uncomfortable.

I've reached out to C&B about the issue, but for a first experience I'm not particularly happy. Presumably the strapmaker should be able to do a better job than I can at home playing with scissors and matches.

Scooterino36 · Feb 21, 2023

ErichPryde
So, I've been wearing the NATO strap from C&B this weekend. Overall I like how it looks. However, when I received it I noted that it wasn't a true "single pass" strap- it was made with a nylon second pass which was then removed by C&B and melted in the same fashion I would have done it at home, although with nearly a centimeter of excess nylon still remaining.

Yesterday the strap started to become very uncomfortable, and after checking it, I noted that one of the melted edges had come up and was digging directly into my wrist. Ridiculously rough and uncomfortable.

I've reached out to C&B about the issue, but for a first experience I'm not particularly happy. Presumably the strapmaker should be able to do a better job than I can at home playing with scissors and matches.

Personally, I'd just take a lighter to it and fix the problem, but I get where you are coming from.

ErichPryde · Feb 21, 2023

Scooterino36
Personally, I'd just take a lighter to it and fix the problem, but I get where you are coming from.

That's excellent advice, and exactly what I plan to do. I THINK I'm just surprised that the strap wasn't manufactured as single pass in the first place---but to be completely honest I really have no idea how much more complicated this makes the manufacturing process.

ErichPryde · Feb 21, 2023

After some back and forth emailing with C&B and some picture sharing, they've stated that the excess material on my strap doesn't look like it should. We haven't come to a conclusion on how it should be resolved but I'll say this for them- the speed of their customer service responses was very quick.

Perry1980 · Feb 21, 2023

Forstner is always a good idea! Have a look at their catalogue!

ErichPryde · Feb 21, 2023

Perry1980
Forstner is always a good idea! Have a look at their catalogue!

Thanks for the recommendation Perry, looks like they mostly offer bands for the SM300D 20mm as opposed to the 21mm SM300, but those bracelets do look pretty sharp. I'll have to take a closer look through their stuff.

ErichPryde · Mar 1, 2023

Although I wasn't impressed with the initial strap I received from C&B and couldn't manage to get it comfortable, they sent me a replacement from their chevron line (I paid the difference in cost), and I am absolutely blown away by the quality of this strap. I've got to say this for Crown & Buckle- their communication and customer service is top notch. It was super easy to talk to them via email, they were quick with responses, and just generally pleasant to talk to. Definitely looking forward to trying more of their straps.

thought I'd share some images:

As far as nylon goes, this is by far the most comfortable non-Omega strap I own, and it honestly gives the Omega NATOs a run for their money (different texture but equal in comfort). Considering the price difference, that's pretty fantastic.

These pictures really don't do the texture & weave justice. Initially I was going to go with the plain black, but it was only available in 22mm. I'm not opposed to crunching 1mm, but thought I'd give "Obsidian" a shot. I'm glad I did- the texture is reminiscent of a high quality necktie- sort of like the texture/color difference you'll sometimes see in a basketweave or grenadine style weave. It's very attractive and quite dressy, and makes a great nylon option to a more traditional, dressy leather strap.

This last picture especially makes the color difference less attractive than it really is, and I was hesitant because the images on C&B's site give me a similar impression that the undercolor is super noticeable. It's not; strap is fantastic in person.

Anyway, super impressed with the strap, and it definitely makes me interested in finding the RIGHT material for me for a true NATO from C&B, as there is a time and place for this style AND for a traditional NATO passback.

Looking for strap recommendation: SM300 8400

Donn Chambers

ErichPryde

Scooterino36

munichblue

ErichPryde

ErichPryde

Scooterino36

munichblue

Scottie

ErichPryde

ErichPryde

Scooterino36

ErichPryde

ErichPryde

Scooterino36

ErichPryde

ErichPryde

Perry1980

ErichPryde

ErichPryde

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