I prefer either bracelets or RAF style straps due to comfort, though love the look of a well-worn vintage leather strap

 

leather makes me feel icky, like using rented bowling shoes.... sweat, water, eventually it feels weird. rubber makes it stick to my skin and i find it uncomfortable. Bracelet is my preference, and if its sized correctly it feels worlds better than leather or rubber. i recently picked up NATOs from Daluca and i must say i like them a lot, but maratac or other natos i hate.

 

Straps are classic, comfortable and allow varied "looks" from the same unit... If ANYBODY tells you a bracelet is more comfortable than a strap....they've never worn one made with Horween leather.

 

If ANYBODY tells you a bracelet is more comfortable than a strap....they've never worn one made with Horween leather.

LOL!!!! weirdo... btw, shrunken leather from germany is softer than horween.

 

Both. It really depends on the watch and the look you're trying to get from the combo. For my Monster, I'm one of the few that prefers the Seiko rubber strap. Also took the bracelet off my Rado Original Diver and got their rubber strap. For my Speedmaster I prefer the bracelet, though I've worn it on a croc strap. For my DeVille that I'm wearing today, I bought and kept this watch specifically for the bracelet, which is the "brickworks" style that Omega first used on their Luxe version of the Constellation back in the 50's. Just a really cool design and fits me perfectly. I also have an old Seiko World Time with a "fish scales" bracelet that is really cool.

 

I like the look of both for certain situations.

I find metal bracelets to have a chunky masculine look that goes well for a lot of situations.
I find croc bands to look very formal and go well with dressy clothes.
I find calf leather (especially with contrast stitching) to look very casual and goes well with casual attire.

I find them all comfortable if they are sized right.

 

Leather in the winter. Bracelet and NATO in the summer.

 

I prefer bracelets. Longer lasting, more versatile and better looking. IMO leather watchbands, particularly on a dress watch, often look a touch effeminate

 

I have several dress watches than look much more classy on a leather( crocodile grain) band than on a bracelet. I do put deployant clasps on them to prevent bending and breaking of the leather. Some of the big casual watches like the Glycine bronze look good with a dark, matt brown finiish leather.

 

bracelets FTMFW!!!!

 

I can't make up my mind. That's why I have one of each (at least) for almost every piece I have.


Sent from my utterly useless piece of technology that allows people to annoy me all day.

 

I started collecting watches 52 years ago and initially I would not even consider the idea of a strap. All my watches had a bracelet. This lasted for approximately 25 years possibly because I used to lead a sporty life. Also the weight of the watch was not important for me, at a certain time I used to wear a Speedmaster MKIII which was practically like a brick fastened to your arm.

Then as time went by I started buying a few watches with a strap and the weight became a problem. Luckily there were several titanium models which at least took away that. As more years passed I became addicted to straps and in the last years with very few exceptions I bought just watches with straps or switched from bracelet to strap immediately.

This year I am going to turn 67 and I plan to buy only watches on a strap.

Why all this? I have asked myself the question several times but could not find a satisfactory answer.

 

I prefer strap. I switch all my watch to leather except for the CW C60. That watch is more comfy with bracelet.

 

I must have oily skin, but I can't get a leather strap to last for the life of me. Even though I use butterfly type clasps on my pricier straps, I still have a hard time getting them to last more than a couple years.

This isnt a wet strap, it's just dis colored from my skin. The tan part is very soft and supple, but the darker part is hard and brittle.

 

I usually prefer bracelets

 

Bracelets for me the majority of the time.

 

If I have to pick one, bracelets get the nod every time. They're cost effective, tough, waterproof, can be good looking, can be both dressy and sporty and last forever. I grew up around Rolex jubilees from the 60's and 70's, which aren't particularly tough or well made by today's standards, but never had one let me down. I wear a lot of strap watches, now, mainly for the styling options, and they're almost all very comfortable but none can do everything like a bracelet.

I have to say that modern, solid link bracelets can be inflexible and heavy. If I can't get the size close to perfect, these newer bracelets can be pretty uncomfortable.

 

I also fine straps giving the watch more color / character... if I had to choose one for life straps without a doubt.

 

Horses for courses for me, a variety of nice leather on my Pams, Bracelets on my Rolex, and def rubber on my wet diving Seikos.
And of course croc on the JLC.

 

Never had to break out a "sizing tool" for a leather strap... lol.

 

^^never had to apologize for stinky stainless steel

 

i cant stand folded steel bracelets and hollow end links however as long as it is a well made bracelet (solid links, SEL), bracelets get my vote.

 

Leather strap for dress watches, leather strap or NATO for pilot style watches & bracelets for diver watches. Leather on deployant never on buckle.

Drawback of bracelets is that they get desk swirls and can look ugly with the matted scratches.

Tony

 

Definitely not a bracelet guy. I prefer rubber, NATO, then leather in that order.

 

I don't really have a preference either way. I look at my watches and decide what may look the best and go from there. With that said I will admit that as of the present the majority of my watches are on bracelets. I actually have a new watch that did not have a bracelet available for it. I may end up picking up a Super Oyster for it eventually.
Kevin

 

I usually try to buy a watch with a bracelet for resale and the option to were it for certain occasions. Also depends on the watch. I don't like any straps on my subs but prefer leather straps on my Panerais. All depends on how I feel that morning!

 

All NATO straps, all the time.

Desk diving swirls on bracelets hurt resale value and I've never liked the way leather feels or fits my wrist.