There is no doubt that watches are a trendy accessory, and there are many different types of watches to choose from. But did you know that the strap on your watch is just as important as the watch itself?
There are all sorts of wristwatch straps, including leather, metal, nylon, and silicone. The most common type of strap is a leather strap, which is stylish and durable.
Choose the right strap size for your wrist, as straps that are too large or too small can be uncomfortable. Make sure to consult a sizing guide before purchasing or customizing watches.
Learn all about wristwatch straps in this guide, including the different types, sizes, maintenance and their accessories.
Different Types Of Wrist Watches Strap
There are all sorts of straps for watches, from the traditional leather ones to metal and plastic straps. But what are the different types of straps, and what are their benefits?
In this post, we’ll look at the different watch straps and see which one is right for you.
Leather Wrist watches Straps
Leather straps are the most popular type of strap, and they come in a variety of colors and styles. They are made from high-quality leather (1), and they are very durable.
Leather straps are also comfortable to wear, and they can be easily cleaned and maintained. Most important is that leather watches match every look and everyone.
Leather straps can be cleaned by damp, but you can not use soap to clean them, just as the standard leather stuff; specific leather cleaners can only be used. Otherwise, the leather skin is easy to peel off.
Leathers are also had different types, Such as:
- Genuine Leather Straps
Genuine leather straps are made from natural leather, and they are very high quality. Natural leather is more durable and softer than above mentioned Pu leather,
Genuine leather material is divided into full-grain leather (first layer of cowhide) and split leather (two or more layers of cowhide). The best leather straps are made of full-grain leather.
Leather is also divided into imported leather and leather made in China in our industry.
Check our post know more about watches and the related parts, our industry news, OEM processes, etc.
After researching many kinds of branded watches on the market, we found that many luxury brands use genuine leather. Choosing a leather strap must be essential to customize your brand of watch.
- Pu Leather Straps
Pu leather straps are made from synthetic leather, and they are very affordable.
The watches straps with Pu Leather have excellent wear resistance, excellent breathability, and aging resistance. Plus, Pu leather is soft and comfortable, has strong flexibility.
Without taking the skin from the animals, it is environmental and has a beautiful appearance; it has also become an ideal choice to replace natural leather.
Pu leather straps are primarily used in some aluminum watches at a public price. So it’s hot-selling in the Brazilian market.
Metal Straps
Metal straps are made from stainless steel, aluminum, or other metals; they are durable.
They are also water-resistant.
Do not hesitate to wear it in a humidor or slightly watery environment. Still, of course, you should also consider the watch’s water resistance.
When choosing mental straps, You can paint with many colors, Such as black, gold, rose gold, blue, Gun, and Champagne.
But most of the customers know that the painting colors will change or fade after a long time. Yes, one way to avoid it is to choose the vacuum painting (PVD Painting), not the Water plating.
Mental straps are the luxury choices for luxury brand watches, especially for the Stainless steel straps.
Type 1 – Stainless Steel Straps
Stainless steel straps are the most expensive and heavy; these straps are made from stainless steel.
Type 2 -Mesh Straps:
Mesh straps are the cheapest but most durable ones in the mental strap category. Some brands like Daniel Wellington are the most widely used example of the Mesh straps. Mesh band watches are one of your best choices for mid-range branding。
Mesh straps are made from woven metal strips,
They have different thicknesses and widths, so this is the main factor in the cost.
Mesh straps can be gold color, black, silver, rose gold, blue, and gun colors.
We will talk more details about Mesh straps in future articles too.
Type 3 -Aluminum Straps
Aluminum straps are made from aluminum. It is commonly used in 5$ cheap watches also they are lightweight and comfortable as the material decided. Aluminum is also a non-allergenic material, making it a good choice for people with sensitive skin.
Aluminum straps are cheap, and if you are not using a good painting. It will quickly fade the color.
Type 4 – Brass Straps
Brass straps are mostly for Vintage style watches.
Brass straps are constructed of brass and are incredibly sturdy and long-lasting.
Brass straps are available in a variety of styles and colors after painting.
Nylon or NATO Straps
Nylon or NATO watch straps are a favorite choice among many casual watch wearers, and This strap will have a variety of mixed color strips to create a sense of everyday fashion, breathable, soft material, easy to clean, lightweight and wear-resistant
Its straps are usually one-piece watch straps that are lightweight, quick to dry, sturdy, and simple.
NATO Straps are not Nylon Straps. Most diving watches use the Nylon or NATO straps.
Silicone or Rubber Straps
Silicone straps are made from silicone (3), and they are durable to wear.
As the material says, the silicon is not breathable to wear, So widely used in diving watches.
Silicone/rubber straps are available in a wide range of colors and styles; the disadvantage is that the existing colors for each factory are limited. It requires large order quantities if you customize your colors.
Wooden Straps
The majority of them use sustainable wood and use as little wood as possible. The combination of these two materials creates a strap that is both tough and comfy.
It was constructed using only the highest quality, time-tested raw materials. It entails rigorously sticking to time-honored woodworking methods. It also entails devoting a few extra hours each day to construct each clock meticulously.
What’s the Difference of Women’s Watches Strap to Mens?
Do you have the same question that I do every time I am looking to buy a watch?
What are the sizes of the straps?
Because who has an extra strap lying around if it doesn’t fit? It can be frustrating to order a watch online and find out the strap is too small (or too big) for your wrist. So, I researched popular watch brands and their corresponding strap sizes.
Check out my findings below!
Wrist watches Sizes for Women
Women’s sizes, typically are:
- 28mm
- 30mm
- 32mm
- 34mm
- 36mm
- 38mm
Wrist watches Sizes for Men
Men’s sizes usually are:
- 38mm
- 40mm
- 41mm
- 42mm
- 44mm
- 45mm
Straps and Accessories?
Do you like to change up your watch strap and accessorize it with different jewelry? Read on!
Accessory 1 – Buckle
Watches Buckle, another name watches clasps
The buckle is the part of the watch strap that attaches to the watch case.
Watch buckles are primarily mental. There are three types of buckles:
1： Open Butterfly buckle
2： Square Stainless Buckle
3： Folding Buckle
This is normal square stainless buckle
this is the folding buckle
Mental buckles are solid and long-lasting. It can appear heavier or lighter depending on the brand. Metal watch straps are strong and unlikely to break, although they can get damp. When subjected to dampness and sweat, they don’t deteriorate as quickly as leather.
Accessory 2 – Spring Bar
The spring bar is the part of the watch strap that attaches the band to the case. It is made from metal. The tiny little bars that hold watch straps in place are known as spring bars.
It’s important to remember that different timepieces require varied spring bar sizes. This refers to the thickness as well as the width. Larger watches have broader lugs, which necessitates wider spring bars.
Usually, there are two kinds of the spring bar:
- Normal Fixed Spring Bar
A regular spring bar is just one Bar with a stretching function. Like spring. That’s why it’s called the springbar.
- Quick-release spring Bar
Quick-release spring bar is made from metal; The quick-release spring bar has a small lever that you can push to release the strap from the watch. This makes it very easy to change your strap, and you don’t need any tools.
A quick-release spring bar
FAQS on Watch Straps
Question：How about the Buckle Size?
-The size of the buckle is 10-26mm.
Question：How to Care for Your Wrist Watch Straps?
-To keep your watch strap in good condition, you should clean it regularly with a damp cloth. You should also avoid exposing it to harsh chemicals, such as bleach, and extreme temperatures, such as hot water or cold air.
Question：What’s the Lifetime of a Watch Strap?
-The lifetime of a watch strap depends on the type of material it is made from. The lifespan of a strap depends on the type of material and how often it is used. Metal straps usually last for many years, mesh straps last for a few years, and silicone/rubber straps typically last for a year or two.
Conclusão
So, what do you think? Did you learn something new about watch straps that you didn’t know before?
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to the different types and sizes of watch straps.Still, hopefully, this post has given you a little more insight into the topic.
Do you have a favorite strap type or size? Let us know!
References:
- leather (Retrieved from https://mahileather.com/blogs/news/how-is-leather-made)
- Mesh straps (Retrieved from https://www.danielwellington.com/ph/mesh-watch-straps/)
- silicone (Retrieved from https://www.elkem.com/silicones/technologies/#:~:text=Silicone%20is%20an%20inert%20synthetic,medical%20applications%2C%20cookware%20and%20insulation.)
