Watch straps

Until the 20th century, wristwatches were considered a purely feminine adornment and a kind of bracelet. Until the last century, men used only pocket watches, considering watches on their hands to be an exclusively female privilege.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the military noted the convenience of wearing watches on the wrist in extreme conditions. They made home-made leather straps for fastening special cases on the wrists, where pocket chronometers were placed. This new trend prompted a number of leading manufacturers to produce men's watches. Accordingly, for their comfortable wearing, a variety of watch straps began to be produced.

For a long time, wristwatches were used for their intended purpose, although the watch brand and design of this device always reflected the social status of its owner. But watch straps, regardless of the brand of the manufacturer, largely reflected the character of their owners. By the quality of the material of the watch strap, the way it is fastened to the wrist, the decorations of the surface, one can judge the temperament and other characteristic features of the wearer.

To wear watches on the wrist, both straps and metal bracelets are used.But even the most high-status characters or those who want to appear so are increasingly using genuine leather straps as an accessory that emphasizes the image.

Such belts are solid or braided, less often - combined. They also have both matte and lacquered surfaces.

The release of this accessory is focused on wearing by women, children and men.

For women's hands, thin leather straps and bracelets are more preferable. with various ornaments and multi-colored weaves, sometimes decorated with rhinestones and drawings. For leather bracelets, volumetric weaving is often used with alternating leather, metal and fabric components.

To add pretentiousness and respectability to rich outfits products made from the skin of exotic animals and reptiles (python, crocodile, ostrich) are applicable. For more relaxed natures, bright colors will give a special charm.

Leading an active lifestyle fabric and nylon bracelets are suitable for permanent wear, which, both on a run and in a fitness center, will be perfectly combined with electronic wristwatches, which include all kinds of body diagnostic functions.

For strong men's hands, they are suitable as usual, as well as wide straps for watches. For business and social events, a watch with a simple dial, a black or dark brown strap with a plain surface fastened to the wrist and a simple metal buckle clasp to match the watch, is preferred.

For everyday wear thick leather or polymer belts are more often used.Recently, vintage belts, stylized as energetic 60s and 70s, have also come into fashion. These frayed, thread-stitched leather goods often look like the traditional wristbands of the time.

For wrist strap it is typical that the watch case is located on the extended part of the product, while the entire belt, as a rule, is combined from three parts and has a standard metal clasp. It is performed in sports and military styles.

For children's colorful clock materials are used that meet the following requirements: safety, strength, colorfulness.

Accordingly, paints and material must be environmentally friendly, durable and carry a bright color range and saturation. For children and teenagers, it is preferable to use fabric and silicone straps, painted in bright colors and patterns.

As diverse as wristwatches are in terms of their properties and functionality, so are the straps for these wrist devices. Their types are divided according to the following parameters:

• Material, from which the accessory is made;
• Fastener type;
• The functional purpose of the device, for which the belt is intended.

The most practical people, for whom the use of wristwatches is a good old habit, and not a pursuit of prestige, often combine metal bracelets or polymer straps with inexpensive and convenient mechanisms.

Nylon and rubber straps are durable and resistant to harsh environments. Therefore, they are most often used by the military and athletes.

Classic leather belts are the part of the image that fits unmistakably into different social strata. They are practical and comfortable. They can equally be used by people of different professions and age groups.

When choosing a watch strap, you need to take the definition of color seriously. It must be remembered that leather accessories used, as a rule, in classic styles of clothing should be in harmony with each other.

Various design solutions are applicable to both leather and other types of this accessory, which give individuality to the image. For example, hard contrasts look original: white combined with black or red. But it is better to dilute the brown color with a pattern of the same color, but in a different tone.

When purchasing a strap, you need to take into account the length of the wrist and the width of the watch mounts (side lugs).

Length standards for manufactured products: standard - 19 cm, L - 20-21 cm, XL - 21-23 cm. But if the length of the measured wrist turns out to be longer, then the XXL standard is provided, providing for a length of more than 23 cm.

In terms of width, belts are usually indicated as follows: 22 X 18, where the first digit is the width of the side lugs of the watch movement - 22mm, and the second digit is the width of the strap on the side of the buckle - 18mm. This is a wide strap. Narrow belts are considered up to 14 mm.

Consider some of the most popular materials used to make watch bands that are as good as traditional leather:

• Silicone straps very elastic and pleasant for its softness and weightlessness in operation. They are inexpensive, relatively durable and resistant to moisture penetration.
• rubber belt It is also pleasant to wear due to its lightness and elasticity. It is the most moisture resistant and inert to aggressive liquids such as alcohol, paint thinners and acetone, which makes it indispensable for representatives of many professions.
• Rubber bracelets for watches have the same rubber backing, but their specialty is their combination with other materials such as metal, textiles, ceramics and wood. The very meaning of this accessory is that it does not have traditional fasteners, stretching to the width of the palm.

• Textile strap no less popular than leather. Fabric products are made from both natural and artificial materials. Often such a product has an impregnation that increases its moisture and wear resistance. They are decorated with original ornaments and painted in a variety of colors. Airy satin straps or colored handkerchiefs give individuality to the female image at any social event.
• Nylon straps strong, reliable, durable. Due to their flexibility and moisture resistance, these products are also popular among athletes. To give reliability, they are often covered with plastic coatings.
• Metal bracelets as traditional as the leather ones. They are durable and unpretentious in operation. Depending on the metal from which the bracelet is made, they can be divided into two categories: status, which are made of precious materials, and steel, intended for the average consumer.

A gold or platinum bracelet is a sign of prestige and is usually used with watches made of the same material.

The watch strap market currently offers a variety of products from well-known and not so famous manufacturers. The most popular among well-known brands in this area are such as Aviator, Calvin Klein, Certina, Brave, Breitling, Casio, Diesel, Fossil, Guess, Hilfiger, Hublot, Montblanc, Orient, Nika, Skagen, Swatch, SwatchTissot, Tissot Ulysses Nardin. These brands guarantee quality, but the cost of their products is very high. Therefore, an uncountable number of cheap and low-quality fakes appeared.

Many emphasize their uniqueness by using homemade straps. Such handicrafts sometimes look like real works of art. You can order them or make your own.

Starting from inexpensive, but very original bracelets woven from multi-colored rubber bands with pavement or mesh weaves and ending with complex genuine leather products in the form of studded wristlets, you can make them at home.

Classic trends never get old, but some design decisions emphasize some details that are characteristic of a particular period of time. In the fashion for men's watch belts, almost nothing has changed, except for a slight departure towards vintage.

The female audience is now in trend for extravagant products that complement large watch dials. They combine fur with traditional leather and metal. Also, the use of silk fabrics in the form of multi-colored ribbons and handkerchiefs, repeatedly encircling the wrist, emphasizes the freedom of the image from clichés. These accessories began to be complemented by a variety of pendants in the form of figurines.

Before choosing a strap, you need to decide with what watch and why you plan to use it. For example, classic watches include the use of a metal bracelet or a leather belt. For sports purposes, fabric or nylon products are optimal.

It must be remembered that the use of this accessory provides for the comfort of its use, which lies in both the physical and moral perception of this item.

• How to determine size?

The length of the strap is selected based on the conditions in which the use of the product is planned. If for divers long straps are used, taking into account the placement of the watch over a wetsuit, then for everyday wear, the little finger should barely pass between the strap and the body. To correctly determine the length of the strap, the wrist is measured first, and then the watch case is measured. The length of the case is subtracted from the length of the wrist and the distance to the fourth hole from the beginning of the strap is summed up (the length of the fastening is not taken into account).

It is also necessary to choose the correct width of the strap. To do this, the place of its attachment to the watch must match the width of the side lugs of the watch.

• How to distinguish the original from a fake?

If a fake is of high quality, then only an expert can distinguish it. It must be remembered that everything is impeccable in the original: even stitching, correctly tucked edges and perfect geometric lines, as well as even inscriptions.

Watch straps need to be maintained regularly. When using this accessory, you must adhere to certain rules:

• Leather straps are the most demanding for regular maintenance, as water gets under them, which is most harmful to the skin. Care consists in wiping the belt with special leather care solutions. If there is no such tool at hand, then the strap is wiped with a mild soapy solution, dried and rubbed with paraffin. It must be remembered that heat sources, moisture and direct sunlight are detrimental to the skin.
• In order for the metal bracelet to retain its original appearance, it must be cleaned periodically, as dirt accumulates between the links from the constant interaction of sweat and dust. You can clean the bracelet with a toothbrush previously moistened with soapy water, where it is desirable to add a few drops of ammonia.

Adjusting the bracelet to the wrist can be done either by shifting the pin in the lock or by manipulating the links.

It is necessary to look at the bracelet from the reverse side, where the arrows indicate the direction of extraction of the needle connectors. Using a thin awl, squeeze out the pin. If the pin is on a spring, then press the needle part inward and gently pry with a screwdriver.

Reassemble in reverse order.

Replacing the strap and bracelet is the same. This procedure is simple, but requires accuracy. You can change or attach a broken belt as follows:

• Place the watch face down on a soft cloth lying on a flat surface;
• Carefully release the end of the stud from the housing groove with a thin screwdriver;
• From the other end, perform the same procedure.

Reassemble in reverse order.

After analyzing real consumer reviews, we can conclude that despite the rather high price, preference when purchasing watch straps is given to well-known brands that guarantee high quality, comfortable wearing and aesthetic pleasure.

How to make a leather watch strap with your own hands, see the following video.