Watch strap is the most indispensable component of a wristwatch. Without it, the watch is rendered unwearable.
Straps can be easily changed to suit your styles or outfits, from casual to elegant.
They come in many colors, materials and styles, watch straps can be broken down into a few main categories.
Leather Strap
The first watch straps are made of leather, it is a natural material that was cheap and readily available.
Early wristwatches were developed for foot soldiers in the First World War, who needed to be able to quickly check the time without reaching into their pocket every so often.
They were pocket watches with welded strap bars on each end, through which the leather strap was fixed.
After the war these wristwatches replaced pocket watches as the predominant fashion accessories.
As watch straps evolved. They became thinner and finely crafted, and the removable spring bars allowed for easy changing of straps.
Most of the straps we see on watches today have not changed much from these mid-century leather ones.
Different only in the use of animal leather skins, straps can be made from cowhide, horsehide, crocodile, lizard or even ostrich skin.
In general, they are all called leather straps.
More exotic skins are still the choice for high-end dress watches as they complement a suit with leather shoes and a belt.
Nylon Strap
At the other end of the strap spectrum is the humble nylon strap.
These one-piece straps were first developed for the British military, designed to run across the back of a watch and through the spring bars.
Nylon straps are also known as NATO straps because they were given a stock number by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization for use by soldiers.
NATO straps become popular among hipsters and fashionistas. They are trendy and comes in a rainbow of colors, striped patterns and the best part, the are affordable cheap.
Rubber Strap
Rubber straps have long been association with Japanese waterproof digital quartz watches.
Rubber strap on sport watches lend themselves well to this purposes, they are supple, comfortable and resistant to water and sweat.
Now rubber straps are most often found on dive watches.
Earlier rubber straps were called “Tropic” straps, the rubber used are stiff and easily became brittle on prolong use.
With the advanced of new rubber polyurethane technology for making rubber straps, currently high-quality of rubber watch straps are being produced.
As compared to the 60's, current rubber straps are of high standard and durability.
Rubber straps are are cheap and easy to replace.
Metal Strap
Metal straps usually comes in stainless steel, gold and also in titanium.
Metal bracelets are the most popular kind of band on most watches sold today.
They have many obvious advantages, being durable and resistant to most things and nonabsorbent.
Stainless steel bracelets are more cooler and comfortable in hot weather and can be sized to very precise fit using micro-adjusting clasps.
Straps can be easily changed to suit your styles or outfits, from casual to elegant.
They come in many colors, materials and styles, watch straps can be broken down into a few main categories.
Leather Strap
The first watch straps are made of leather, it is a natural material that was cheap and readily available.
 |
| Hamilton Men's Automatic Watch with Leather Strap |
They were pocket watches with welded strap bars on each end, through which the leather strap was fixed.
After the war these wristwatches replaced pocket watches as the predominant fashion accessories.
As watch straps evolved. They became thinner and finely crafted, and the removable spring bars allowed for easy changing of straps.
Most of the straps we see on watches today have not changed much from these mid-century leather ones.
Different only in the use of animal leather skins, straps can be made from cowhide, horsehide, crocodile, lizard or even ostrich skin.
In general, they are all called leather straps.
More exotic skins are still the choice for high-end dress watches as they complement a suit with leather shoes and a belt.
Nylon Strap
At the other end of the strap spectrum is the humble nylon strap.
 |
| Seiko SNZG15 Men's Automatic Watch with Nylon Strap |
Nylon straps are also known as NATO straps because they were given a stock number by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization for use by soldiers.
NATO straps become popular among hipsters and fashionistas. They are trendy and comes in a rainbow of colors, striped patterns and the best part, the are affordable cheap.
Rubber Strap
Rubber straps have long been association with Japanese waterproof digital quartz watches.
Rubber strap on sport watches lend themselves well to this purposes, they are supple, comfortable and resistant to water and sweat.
 |
| Victorinox 241357 Men's Quartz Watch with Rubber Strap |
Earlier rubber straps were called “Tropic” straps, the rubber used are stiff and easily became brittle on prolong use.
With the advanced of new rubber polyurethane technology for making rubber straps, currently high-quality of rubber watch straps are being produced.
As compared to the 60's, current rubber straps are of high standard and durability.
Rubber straps are are cheap and easy to replace.
Metal Strap
Metal straps usually comes in stainless steel, gold and also in titanium.
 |
| Seiko SNZG13K1 Men's Automatic Watch with Stainless Steel Strap |
They have many obvious advantages, being durable and resistant to most things and nonabsorbent.
Stainless steel bracelets are more cooler and comfortable in hot weather and can be sized to very precise fit using micro-adjusting clasps.
