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Speedmaster (or other large sport watch) bracelet vs. strap fit questions…

M'Bob
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Posted something similar in the past, but still interested in your insights.

For whatever reason, I seemed to have gravitated towards wearing dress watches on leather straps, and sports watches on their associated bracelets.

Recently, for fun (big fun; really big fun), I thought I’d try a Speedmaster on a leather strap. Originally, I thought the difference would be just one of aesthetics. But what I found was, the relatively heavy watch on a light strap created something akin to a pendular effect: when the watch was dial-up, all fine. But in the crown-left position, unless the strap was fairly tight, the watch head, via gravity, tended to slide and drift down the side of the wrist. This does not seem to happen as much wearing a bracelet, and my guess is that the weight of the bracelet relative to the watch head creates a fulcrum which offsets the downward pull in most positions other than dial-up or down.

Anyway, curious about your observations
 
bsowers34
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M'Bob M'Bob
Posted something similar in the past, but still interested in your insights.

For whatever reason, I seemed to have gravitated towards wearing dress watches on leather straps, and sports watches on their associated bracelets.

Recently, for fun (big fun; really big fun), I thought I’d try a Speedmaster on a leather strap. Originally, I thought the difference would be just one of aesthetics. But what I found was, the relatively heavy watch on a light strap created something akin to a pendular effect: when the watch was dial-up, all fine. But in the crown-left position, unless the strap was fairly tight, the watch head, via gravity, tended to slide and drift down the side of the wrist. This does not seem to happen as much wearing a bracelet, and my guess is that the weight of the bracelet relative to the watch head creates a fulcrum which offsets the downward pull in most positions other than dial-up or down.

Anyway, curious about your observations
I myself do not like straps, and couldn't wait to put a proper bracelet on my Snoopy 50. For me, I like the extra weight and heft, and a bracelet does not get soiled.
 
Donn Chambers
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M'Bob M'Bob
Posted something similar in the past, but still interested in your insights.

For whatever reason, I seemed to have gravitated towards wearing dress watches on leather straps, and sports watches on their associated bracelets.

Recently, for fun (big fun; really big fun), I thought I’d try a Speedmaster on a leather strap. Originally, I thought the difference would be just one of aesthetics. But what I found was, the relatively heavy watch on a light strap created something akin to a pendular effect: when the watch was dial-up, all fine. But in the crown-left position, unless the strap was fairly tight, the watch head, via gravity, tended to slide and drift down the side of the wrist. This does not seem to happen as much wearing a bracelet, and my guess is that the weight of the bracelet relative to the watch head creates a fulcrum which offsets the downward pull in most positions other than dial-up or down.

Anyway, curious about your observations
Funny, I have exactly the opposite reaction. My divers or Speedmaster on a strap do not move much, but on a bracelet move around a lot more. Maybe you wear your bracelet tighter than me and strap looser?
 
M'Bob
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Donn Chambers Donn Chambers
Funny, I have exactly the opposite reaction. My divers or Speedmaster on a strap do not move much, but on a bracelet move around a lot more. Maybe you wear your bracelet tighter than me and strap looser?

One thing I neglected to mention is time of year: leather straps do seems to stay put better in the Summer months, probably due to the highly humidity and perspiration.
 
Hzgm
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I recommend trying the OEM rubber strap with deployant buckle for your Speedmaster.
Because of its shape and the way it sits flush to the case, it holds the watch head in place to an extent, even when worn on the loose side which is my preference.
I’ve tried many strap styles and materials, in my experience nothing comes close in terms of comfort.
 
Evitzee
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I do not like my watches to move on my wrist regardless if on bracelet or strap, so I find no difference in how they sit on my wrist when properly adjusted the way I like them. Of the 13 Speedmasters I own only four are on bracelets, the rest on straps which I prefer in most cases. A strap gives you an opportunity to personalize the watch and if it has a special dial a well designed strap can accentuate it. In my view bracelets on special dial watches pulls the focus away from the dial, but that's just me. There isn't any right or wrong here.
 
hansaboy
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I have a few Speedys that I use on a daily base, and I feel that the bracelets (1506, 1039, 1171 etc) gives me a better "vintage" feeling.
But when I use the ones with straps, it feels a bit more classy/dressed up.
And I haven´t noticed any wobbling with the watch head...

A side notice...The ladys often give me comments about my straps, but never on the bracelets....🤔🤔😁
 
M'Bob
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hansaboy hansaboy
A side notice...The ladys often give me comments about my straps, but never on the bracelets....🤔🤔😁

Yes! They say they’re much more comfortable on the wrists and ankles…
 
hansaboy
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M'Bob M'Bob
Yes! They say they’re much more comfortable on the wrists and ankles…
we are still talking about watches...eeehh...?

😁
 
pdxleaf
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I just swapped straps to try a nylon look, which I like for their military vibe.

20250606_161033.webp


I tend to wear mine a little loose, which doesn't look as good to me, but it's more comfortable. I experienced that same pendulum effect, with the watch wanting to spin on my wrist. But a little tighter and it's fine. Plus, it does feel lighter and looks pretty good.
 
97TJ
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To me, straps are always classier, but I'm of the mindset they can only be worn in the winter months or else they deteriate and rot from the sweat. I always swap mine out to leather in the winter.
My winter gator for my Pro (and a few others), of course, you have to have an original Omega clasp to finish them out imo.
IMG-2679.webp IMG-2307.webp IMG-2368.webp IMG-2294.webp IMG-E2387.webp
 
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