As I was reading your post a Sinn 566i came to mind until I saw the part about a croc strap. It’ll handle all of the casual straps though. Croc might be a stretch though if it’s too formal. If it’s a matte croc with contrast stitching that might soften up its formality. Has the same MO as a speedy, black and white dial, toolish, symmetry etc. Lug holes as well.

 

As I was reading your post a Sinn 566i came to mind until I saw the part about a croc strap. It’ll handle all of the casual straps though. Croc might be a stretch though if it’s too formal. If it’s a matte croc with contrast stitching that might soften up its formality. Has the same MO as a speedy, black and white dial, toolish, symmetry etc. Lug holes as well.

You could always pair it up with a more dressy dial like MoP or the brushed blue dial which looks fantastic with no date and would still come in around budget.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Seiko Speedtimer maybe?

 

My initial thought was the Christopher Ward C63 Sealander Automatic but not sure if it could pull off an alligator strap and it doesn't have drilled lug holes. Otherwise, that thing is 100% a strap monster.

 

I thought about the C63, too, but I’m partial to the Dartmouth. CW has several models that would qualify as strap monsters for $1000. Check out their site, @The Dark Knight. They also have $125 discount codes fairly routinely.

 

I think this would do well in that criteria.

 

For me my Hamilton Khaki Field Auto is a strap monster. I have the 42mm with 22mm lugs but the 38mm version has a lug width of 20mm and wears larger because of the lugs. I could see that watch rocking all the NATO, perlon, leather, etc. style straps you want bc mine has. I've done black Alligator before and with the black dial and polished bezel, I think it pulled it off though that wouldn't be my first choice now. No drilled lug holes though.

 

Hamilton Khaki King II (or Field King or whatever they call it now). Doesn't have drilled lugs but is a 20mm strap monster just the same.

 

The Squale 1521 has a 20mm lug width and can be had new at right around your budget.

 

Maybe a tad over budget, these two came to mind:

Also, well within budget:

 

Also, for $300, in quartz, what I believe to be the best bang for your buck today - this watch has to be seen in the flesh to be believed (the bracelet is crap but you don't care):

 

Another vote for the SUR line.

 

Personally, I think anything with a white dial is a strap monster. Black, and other colors not so much. There is a lot you can do to compliment a white dial - just about any color goes with it (unlike black for some reason).

 

Junghans Max Bill in white could be a great option.

Enviado desde mi VOG-L29 mediante Tapatalk

 

Consider strap spacers. That way you could use your old straps and get new ones.
These are 1mm strap spacers but you can buy 2mm in stainless or gold tone.

 

Pardon my ignorance, but what are strap spacers and where does one find them? And what do they look like in actual use?

 

Nomos

 

My Hamilton Khaki mechanical has sported a variety of straps, most often one of my four Martu leather straps but also a variety of canvas straps.

 

SPB143

 

Find a used Monta Noble with the blue dial.

 

Stick to white or gray dials. Darker colors and black are much more restrictive as far as suitable strap pairings.

SARX055 would be incredibly versatile. Dressy enough to pull off a croc or alligator strap, but not so dressy that you couldn't put it on a nato or zulu or sailcloth or whatever. Go nuts.

 

Seestern Sub 300

 

I'd save up $450 more (or look used of course, DS30 would also work imo) and get a Damasko DK30, nice size (39mm) and thin (10mm) In house regulated/shock proof mov't, hardened submarine steel, 20mm lug width with drilled holes...perfect strap monster and much better quality than others for $1k imo only

 

Sinn 556, Damask DS30

 

Vostok Classica. Costs around $180

 

My Seiko SRPE61 is a surprisingly versatile 20mm strap monster with drilled lugs. Way under your budget though, which is fine if it does what you want, right?