Rubber Straps - Bought A Vanguard

vbrad26 · Jun 22, 2022

Thinking about picking one up for the BB GMT.
2 brands have popped up on my search. Everest and Vanguard.
Does anyone have any experience with wither of these brands?
Does anyone have any suggestions on any others?
I'm looking at this style in particular. Both Everest and Vanguard look pretty much the same but here is a picture of the Vanguard since it's the one I'm leaning towards. It is like, $100 cheaper than Everest and I think I like the taper a little bit more.

Foo2rama · Jun 22, 2022

I'm guess the cheaper one will be great.

I wear this on an almost daily basis, and love it.

https://monstraps.com/collections/rubber/products/rubber-skx007-srpd-black-rose-gold-hardware

funkright · Jun 22, 2022

Now, this is a Rubber B but I can't see how another strap (like the ones you are referencing) wouldn't be as good as this one (unless they truly cheap out on quality). I believe it is overpriced for what it is. Just IMHO. But, hey, it's made in Switzerland, so there's gotta be some value for that, I guess...

vbrad26 · Jun 23, 2022

@funkright - I did see Rubber B pop up, but as you indicated, a little pricey, and I'm cheap hah.
I will take a closer look at them though. I'm not THAT cheap hah. And I suppose the whole point of me getting one of these is to ditch the bracelet for when I need it to be more rugged, so to speak.
So perhaps it is not something I should cheap out on. Wouldn't want the strap to fail in the water or something!

Foo2rama
I'm guess the cheaper one will be great.

I wear this on an almost daily basis, and love it.

https://monstraps.com/collections/rubber/products/rubber-skx007-srpd-black-rose-gold-hardware

Looks like a majority of them only fit Seiko, at least the straps that run all the way up between the lugs and up to the case - which is the style I'm looking for in this instance.
But I do like some of their other ones!

Foo2rama · Jun 23, 2022

vbrad26
@funkright - I did see Rubber B pop up, but as you indicated, a little pricey, and I'm cheap hah.
I will take a closer look at them though. I'm not THAT cheap hah. And I suppose the whole point of me getting one of these is to ditch the bracelet for when I need it to be more rugged, so to speak.
So perhaps it is not something I should cheap out on. Wouldn't want the strap to fail in the water or something!

Looks like a majority of them only fit Seiko, at least the straps that run all the way up between the lugs and up to the case - which is the style I'm looking for in this instance.
But I do like some of their other ones!

i was going for the price point vs quality.

At 45$ these are great. so I’d expect anything more expensive to be just as good.

vbrad26 · Jul 25, 2022

Ended up getting the Vanguard strap as they were having a "summer sale".
So that sealed the deal lol. Ended up just a little over $100 after shipping.
I'll post up thoughts/impressions once I get it.

funkright · Jul 25, 2022

I've now bought 5 of these straps (green, blue, red, black and white) from this eBay seller, as the quality is ON par with RubberB. His are made with Vulcanized Cauotchouc rubber.

Oh, and the price, all 5 for less than 1 RubberB strap. Easy decision 👍

Strat25 · Jul 25, 2022

I had the Vanguard on the BB Gmt. Never went back to the ss afterwards. You’ll love it

AmateurHour · Jul 26, 2022

No experience with the Everest straps but his springbars are A+ (the modern Daytona ones are a direct copy for the Speedy bars FWIW). Reminds me I need to order more sets.

grokas · Jul 26, 2022

for a more traditional look you can look at isoswiss skinscan.

vbrad26 · Aug 2, 2022

It showed up yesterday. Not a bad turnaround time. Placed the order last Monday and received it yesterday. Haven’t had time to try it on yet, but initial impressions are good.
Packaging is nice and looks like pretty decent quality rubber and hardware.

bombaywalla · Aug 2, 2022

good to see the strap photo. would love to see how it fits your watch & what you think of the comfort on your wrist...

vbrad26 · Aug 2, 2022

bombaywalla
good to see the strap photo. would love to see how it fits your watch & what you think of the comfort on your wrist...

Obviously could not try it out today because it is Speedy Tuesday and I don't ever skip a Speedy Tuesday.
Might have to wait for "casual Friday"...we'll see.
But I will be sure to update!

vbrad26 · Aug 5, 2022

Ok so here it is. Only have had it on for a couple hours so far but so far so good. feels good on the wrist and changes the dynamic of the watch.
I wanted a rubber strap for this watch because it is my “activity watch”.
The bracelet is great for the office and all (and it will still spend most of its time on the bracelet) but I wanted something a little, less maintenance for lack of a better word/term.
Again, fit and finish is good. Was a little tricky to get on but once I figured out one side the other side went on pretty easy.
Also like the fact that there is a little shield on the buckle that almost matches the Tudor shield.
Anyway, here are some pics…

mydeafcat · Aug 6, 2022

Thanks for sharing, @vbrad26. It looks awesome. I want a rubber strap for mine as well, and for similar reasons. Besides, when travel normalizes, it will be my go-to watch and I think the rubber will be more practical and a tad less conspicuous.

Surprisingly, I’m still loving my brand spanking new BBGMT on the bracelet (before this, my 2254 was the only watch I wear on a bracelet). My wife also ordered the leather strap and deployant knowing it was my preference, but she wanted to get me the watch in time for my birthday. I prefer leather but it’s not ideal in sweaty or seawater conditions. Must have rubber for those situations.

GuiltunderGlass · Aug 6, 2022

Thanks for sharing, the GMT looks great!
I've been pining for a rubber strap that utilizes the factory buckle from the bracelet for my BB58, ala Oysterflex...
Maybe one day they'll get made.

Unfamiliar_Moon · Aug 6, 2022

funkright
I've now bought 5 of these straps (green, blue, red, black and white) from this eBay seller, as the quality is ON par with RubberB. His are made with Vulcanized Cauotchouc rubber.

Oh, and the price, all 5 for less than 1 RubberB strap. Easy decision 👍

EDIT: So this eBay seller is very responsive and helpful. You have to pay attention to the small details in his listings to double-check you're on the right one, though.

I noted not all of his vulcanized straps are the cauotchouc rubber with the molded plastic insert at the end by the watch head. Unfortunately he doesn't have that option for the 22m Tudor Black Bay series yet. Seems like a good seller to keep an eye on as they expand product line options.

vbrad26 · Aug 8, 2022

mydeafcat
Thanks for sharing, @vbrad26. It looks awesome. I want a rubber strap for mine as well, and for similar reasons. Besides, when travel normalizes, it will be my go-to watch and I think the rubber will be more practical and a tad less conspicuous.

Surprisingly, I’m still loving my brand spanking new BBGMT on the bracelet (before this, my 2254 was the only watch I wear on a bracelet). My wife also ordered the leather strap and deployant knowing it was my preference, but she wanted to get me the watch in time for my birthday. I prefer leather but it’s not ideal in sweaty or seawater conditions. Must have rubber for those situations.

It definitely grew on me while wearing it at the river all weekend. It is not like I did not initially like it, I did, but by the end of the weekend I was thinking I should just keep it on there hah.
I'm sure you can do it with some other rubber straps but on the Vanguard website, it does say that their strap is compatible with the Tudor deployant buckle. So you could even swap that on the rubber strap as well to make it look even better.

GuiltunderGlass
Thanks for sharing, the GMT looks great!
I've been pining for a rubber strap that utilizes the factory buckle from the bracelet for my BB58, ala Oysterflex...
Maybe one day they'll get made.

Yeah That would be cool! Like I said above, you can utilize the deployant clasp from the leather strap...but no dice on the bracelet clasp.

Rubber Straps - Bought A Vanguard

vbrad26

Foo2rama

funkright

vbrad26

Foo2rama

vbrad26

funkright

Strat25

AmateurHour

grokas

vbrad26

bombaywalla

vbrad26

vbrad26

mydeafcat

GuiltunderGlass

Unfamiliar_Moon

vbrad26

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