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Strap Recommendations for New Vostok Amphibia? (Black Scuba Dude)

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8.9K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  thefruitbar  
#1 ·
Hi all! I ordered a new Vostok Amphiba from Meranom in November 2014, but there was an issue and I had to send it back to them in Russia in December (https://www.watchuseek.com/f10/received-faulty-vostok-amphibia-1326210.html). Now that the Scuba Dude is on its way back to papa, I thought of buying a new strap for the watch.

(Disclaimer: I'm still a watch newbie, so I don't know much about the quality of straps out there, so please share some advice if you have any!)

I'm not really a metal bracelet kind of guy, and I think a Nato strap would be too thin for such a watch, so I'm swaying towards a rubber or silicone watch strap. I also want to keep the price low since I'm not drawing a salary (a.k.a busy student). I'm talking US$30 low.

Nato strap and Amphibia combo looks pretty insubstantial on me scrawny wrist (tried it before I sent the Scuba Dude back):
​

(Inspiration) I think this looks really nice, and am going for this look:

 ​

However, the author of the article at webwatchworld.com (The TimeSurfer; Vostok Amphibia Review - webWatchWorld) mentioned that the red strap on his Black Scuba Dude is a HIRSCH rubber strap, which is way out of my budget (~$60), though it looks damn good.

So far, the best candidates that have come up in my search are two straps from Watch Band Center.

First, a red strap:


A matte 'Caoutchouc' rubber strap from Watch Band Center, apparently that's good rubber ;-). The only downside I find is that all the holes are only on the underside of the strap, and you'll have to pierce a hole through the strap when you put it on the first time. The thing is, if you adjust it wrongly and find that the hole you pierced made the watch wear too big or too small, you'll have an unsightly hole in your watch strap when you pierce another hole in it to fit. But I'm pretty willing to live with that for a supposedly good quality strap at this price.

Second, a black strap. For days on which I don't feel as funky as to wear a red strap:
 http://www.watch-band-center.com/watchstrap-p1213h304s312-Watch-band-18mm-blac.html​

This one is "top quality" Silicone. I thought of purchasing one rubber and one silicone strap to see for myself the difference in quality and comfort. I know, this black silicone is kinda boring without any design or pattern on it, but I'm afraid it wouldn't look good, so I go the conservative (money-minded) route, something that I think will work out best.

So here it is, I've narrowed it down to these two straps. But I need advice! What do you guys think of rubber and silicone straps? Any experience with purchases from Watch Band Center? Any straps that you think will look good on a Black Scuba Dude? Perhaps you have a particular watch-strap combo you think looks good? Don't hold it back, do share! Looking forward to your replies! :)

Cheers!
 
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#3 · (Edited)
If you going to be swimming with the watch I would stick with rubber/silicone . If you do pierce a hole try using a drill to do the job it will look neater, use a small bit first then go to the finish drill bit size. If you haven't got a drill then just use a screwdriver but do it from the front side of the strap.

P.s also looks good on nato. and don't know your budget but this guy makes very good quality nylon straps you pay a bit more then cheap ebay ones but trust me they are good.
Nylon straps - Straps 'N' Stuff
 
#4 ·
joeuk said:
If you going to be swimming with the watch I would stick with rubber/silicone . If you do piece a hole try using a drill to do the job it will look neater, use a small bit first then go to the finish drill bit size. If you haven't got a drill then just use a screwdriver but do it from the front side of the strap.

P.s also looks good on nato. and don't know your budget but this guy makes very good quality nylon straps you pay a bit more then cheap ebay ones but trust me they are good.
Nylon straps - Straps 'N' Stuff
Click to expand...
Some nice stuff there. Good tip.
 
#5 · (Edited)
andrewlogan1987: Thanks for your pictures Andrew!

I forgot to add that I don't intend to mod the amphibia for a while after it arrives (even though I think putting a new bezel will make it look really good), so it'll have a stock bezel. Modding will come after I'm tired of the stock bezel, and when I have enough cash!

joeuk: I did give Nylon straps - Straps 'N' Stuff a visit, but they're quite over my budget, which is around US$30. Also, they don't seem to have a wide range of 18mm straps, to fit the Amphibia I ordered. But thank you for your advice!
 
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#6 ·
Take a look at goodcheapman's stuff on ebay - just do a search for user goodcheapman.

For waterproof bands on the 420 I like shark mesh: 18 20 22mm Silver Web Mesh Wrist Watch Band Stainless Steel Buckle Strap Mens US | eBay



I also like the silicone rubber straps with deployment clasps. (Don't have a photo at the moment.)
Here are three different types (I haven't ordered from this seller, so I'm not endorsing): Mens Black Silicone Rubber Waterproof Watch Strap Clasp Band 18 mm 20 mm 22 Mm | eBay

The advantage of the deployment clasp for those of us with small wrists is that the bands are cut more or less to size and then you can adjust them a bit as your wrist size changes (depending on weather, and so on). And there's no big flap of leftover band to be wrapped around the rest of the watch band.
 

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#9 ·
You have to cut the lug ends of the mesh band. I use a Dremel with a cutoff wheel. A good pair of wire nippers would probably work, too. Before I cut them, I usually put the adjustable end in the middle adjustment hole of the clasp (you can see it in the bottom photo) so I will have some room to adjust, then measure it against another band, mark it with a permanent marker, and cut it. If you use a Dremel, wear safety glasses! The little links can fly around a bit.
 
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