How to Decide Between Bracelets and Straps
A simple way to transform the overall look of your luxury watch is by switching out the bracelet or strap. Choosing the right attachment used to affix the timepiece to your wrist can make all the difference in your overall look.
The general term for watch bands are straps but straps made from metal are referred to as ‘bracelets.’ Every other material – leather, fabric, rubber, etc. – are thus referred to collectively as straps.
When it comes to straps, a wide variety of characteristics makes available a huge number of qualities: from casual to dressy, fabric to leather to metal to rubber, delicate to robust, and so on. The only limit that exists involves your personal sense of aesthetic taste.
The right strap, every time
When choosing between bracelets and straps, it’s crucial to think about the situation at hand and use that as a guide for selecting the right one. For example, you can take the seasons into account, particularly summer and winter, and choose a bracelet or strap that will both be comfortable and matching in color and mood for that time of year. Other considerations include social situations – office or business-related affairs, formal events, casual gatherings, date nights, evenings at home, and even weekends.
When it comes to summer and winter, you can choose fabric straps for the warmer months, particularly Zulu and NATO which are lightweight and breathable. During the winter, metal bracelets tend to fit the season a bit better but by no means does this mean you can’t also wear a bracelet with your watch in the summer! It should be noted that in the hot summer months, bracelets can result in more sweat and tend to become more grimy. However, that can be resolved with warm water and a soft cloth.
Bracelets
If you’re engaging in play and work that requires lots of physical activity, it’s key to consider factors like dirt and water, and the likelihood of encountering dings and scuffs. All of those are things to consider when choosing a bracelet or strap that is secure and durable. For high-intensity activities like this or ones where moisture is involved, go with a rubber strap or stainless steel bracelet.
Leather straps
When the activity at hand involves more professional or elegant affairs – say, the opera or the boardroom – a leather strap is a good way to go. Available in a wide range of sources from calfskin to suede and even vegan leather or exotic sources like reptile or ostrich, there is a leather strap to match every occasion.
Rubber straps
There is something eminently sporty about a rubber strap, making it perfect for diver watches and any type of watch designed for robust activities like racing. Some rubber straps have ends that are molded to conform to the shape of the watch case, giving a seamless and integrated look. Unlike leather and metal, rubber straps are less prone to showing marks from damage, giving them another advantage.
Conclusion
There is a nearly endless amount of choices when it comes to watch bracelets or straps. If anything, the limit just exists depending on personal aesthetics and preference. Many luxury watch lovers find themselves choosing between bracelets or leather, depending on the season. That being said, there’s no right or wrong choice of watch straps. It’s all up to your preferences and the rest of your outfit!
Searching for luxury watches in Beverly Hills? Check out Feldmar Watch! We’ve been providing exceptional service for 100 years. When you visit Feldmar Watch, a leading luxury watch store in Los Angeles, bring your favorite watch along and consider getting a new strap. In doing so, you can change your timepiece’s look and feel dramatically.
About The Author: Tom Roth
Born in Washington state, Tom developed an interest in photography during college at University of San Diego. There, he got started in music journalism, interviewing artists and taking photos at concerts. A life-long tinkerer and collector, it wasn’t long before Tom became fascinated with fountain pens and watches.
Those interests collided in November 2020 when Tom started at Feldmar Watch Company where he lives out every watch geek’s dream: photographing and writing about timepieces. When he’s not tinkering with his watch collection, Tom can be found traveling, biting his nails while watching PNW sports teams, and taking flying lessons.
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