Luxury Watch Strap Buying Guide
Unlike the new fast fashion culture of buying cheap and throwing away once you are done, a watch is not something you buy on impulse alone. There are many factors including whether it’s Swiss-made, the type of cogs used and much more, either way, if you look at it, it is going to set you back quite a bit. With this in mind, you are unlikely to swap your watches each day. This is true, but obviously, one style won’t fit all in terms of your outfit, so you need to find a way in which you can switch what is on your wrist, or alternatively, what is strapping your watch onto your wrist.
Simply swapping your watch strap can give your watch a completely new aesthetic and bring new life to a watch that you have had for many years. In recent years, many people have moved from purchasing separate sports, everyday and dress watches and have moved towards purchasing a range of straps that change the style of the watch. This saves money and ensures that you get the most out of your watch.
Even top watch manufacturers such as Omega are now creating extra straps for their watch faces. Other brands such as Hublot and Jaeger LeCoultre offer watch straps with quick-release mechanisms to attach and detach with ease. In this article, we will go through choosing a watch strap for your luxury watch.
Determine Your Budget
One of the first things you need to do before you start looking for new watch straps is to determine your budget. When you have a budget in mind, it makes things a little simpler as it helps to put a limit on what you can look for and can also help to determine the material you want as some luxury materials may be out of your price range.
Know Your Style
The next thing you need to do is look in your wardrobe and check to see what your style is and what types of clothing you have in your wardrobe. Is it mostly formal, athletic or casual? If you have more of a luxury wardrobe, then spice it up with something patterned to show off some personality. If you have more of a simple lifestyle, then having a classic and timeless aesthetic is the better option as they are more versatile with your outfits.
Choose The Material
Each material has its own strengths and drawback and it is important o understand these before you make the final decision. For example leather is great, but it cant get wet. Here are some straps to consider:
NATO Watch Straps
NATO watch straps have become increasingly popular in the fashion industry due to their rugged good looks and versatility. They were first used by British soldiers in the 70s and have now moved heavily to a fashion strap. It is suitable for all terrains and is extremely durable. Most are made from nylon so they are prepared for all circumstances. The great thing about NATO watch bands is the fact they can easily be swapped out for something else and they come in a wealth of colours and patterns so you can buy one for each day of the week if you choose.
Leather Watch Strap
There were once pocket watches until someone found that leather worked very well for strapping them onto your arm. The leather looked luxurious, whilst also being durable for the most timeless aesthetic. Fast forward 100 years and more leathers were out than ever from exotic animals such as Alligators or Ostrich. If you are after an elegant yet stylish leather watch, you need to learn the different properties of each leather and match this to your lifestyle. It is important to know that some leathers are not great with water, and if you buy cheap leather, it is going to tear and break very easily. Spend a little more, and it can last a lifetime.
Mesh Strap
The mesh strap has peaked in recent years. It was once an obscure design that many had not seen before, but from its beauty and versatility, more people than ever are looking at Milanese watch straps as valid everyday straps. They are much more comfortable than the standard metal bracelet alternative. This is due to how they are made. Metal bracelets can pinch and pull on hairs whereas mesh stays flush and doesn’t pinch. This is a great strap if you don’t want anything very flashy, but also isn’t too casual.
