I'm about two and a half glasses into a lovely bottle of Ontario Chardonnay Musqué, so if this post ends up being crushed as a WUS post, well, I'll just have to live with it I own a few watches and, as a rule, I always buy the watch with a bracelet when the option exists. The thing is every watch I own spends the majority of its time on a strap. Don't get me wrong, I love the look of most of the bracelets I own and attach them whenever I'm expecting to sweat. Ultimately though, I love the versatility and comfort of a quality leather strap (as well as select NATO's). As someone who enjoys change, I have to admit I enjoy the feeling of wearing a whole new watch that comes from simply removing one strap and attaching another. My question for the learned members of the forum is this: What do you prefer: strap or bracelet?
For me, I'm about 50/50... love the vintage flat link bracelets on speedies, but they look so good on leather too!
The Speedy, for me, might be the undisputed heavyweight leather strap champion of the world. It's infinitely harder to find a strap that doesn't look good on it than one that does.
For me it depends on the bracelet and the watch. Some are genuinely uncomfortable or don't look great IMHO. For example. I love my Seiko PADI on a bracelet. It's incredibly comfortable and looks great too. But it also looks great on straps. However it always ends up back on the bracelet soon enough. In general I like the versatility of straps (leather, suede, canvas, Nylon, perlon etc etc) to match/accent outfits. Watches are one of the only accessories acceptable for men(generally speaking) so might as well have fun with it with bright ass funky straps...
Strap for me. Pretty looking blue AT8500MC right? Now isn't it prettier on the lovely genuine black 'gator strap i took from the Pro Speedymoon?
All of mine are on straps save my POC. It just looks right on the bracelet, and does not exactly works on anything save a padded croc strap at 45.5 with 22mm lugs. I also live on a temperate coast... it works well for beach activities, and "dress up" beach events. Other wise everything else is on mostly custom straps from Jan. Although I do love the old style Speedy bracelets and will get one for my 145.022-76 at some point. And I'll be ordering a customs orange croc with a deep padding eventually for the Orange POC.
I flip between both options constantly. Just depends on my mood. Changing the look is half the fun of owning these beautiful watches.
I have to say the the Rolex Oysters and Jubilees are so comfortable... But for almost all else, I tend to switch back and forth...
This sums up my view aswell, I constantly switch up and usually immediately after changing to said strap/bracelet I'm convinced that looks best, until I get bored switch again and repeat. Variety is always a good thing isn't it?
I like the way bracelets look on almost everyone else better than the way they look on me. I always intend to go with a bracelet, and will cycle through them at times, but most of the time I use NATO, ZULU or leather.
+1 Straps for me, but if I end up buying the Seamaster 60th, I might make an exception and keep it on bracelet.
mostly straps for me...as most of my watches are on leather straps. I wish more curved end styles were available, I find crocs versatile and elegant... but don't think I'll ever strap a NATO thing around my wrist
I generally purchase watches with bracelets as well. It is usually easy to switch a watch to a strap. However, it is a little more challenging to purchase a watch on a strap and get a decent bracelet later.
Like you, I'm generally not a fan of NATO straps. Check out Haveston NATO straps... they wear like a traditional strap... cheap too, so if you don't end up liking them, little ventured.
I forgot to mention... I have two curved straps coming from Ivan at Two Stitch... I asked for them because my Explorer's case is so sharp that it scalps the top of all of my leather straps. He's very open to custom work and the quality of up there is the B&S's of the world. Exactly the same reason I go with the bracelet option!
