Undoubtedly, the emergence of watch straps is the main symbol that distinguishes pocket watches from wristwatches. If there is no strap, a watch can only be called a watch and does not have the characteristic of being worn on the wrist. However, for a considerable period of time in the past, watch straps could only exist as accessories to wristwatches. People have always emphasized choosing the right watch, but few people care about whether they have chosen the right watch strap. Until recent years, this situation has finally improved.

People consider various factors when choosing a watch, from brand awareness to the material, design, functionality, and price of the watch, as well as the after-sales service of the merchant. Even if the watch strap is considered, it is the most insignificant factor, and it is almost unheard of who chooses a watch for the sake of the strap.

In fact, this situation is also normal, after all, for a long time, the straps of high-end watches have been mainly made of black and brown crocodile leather, as well as stainless steel and precious metal chain straps, with relatively monotonous materials and colors, and have not formed personalization and differentiation. Compared to the various watch series that watch enthusiasts cherish, there are few watch straps that can be named, such as Rolex's commemorative, F ü hrer, and oyster straps. Therefore, when rising stars in the watch industry such as Hublot and Chanel introduced natural rubber or high-tech ceramic watch straps, it caught the attention of the entire industry.

After entering this century, with the flourishing of the women's watch market and the strong demand of women for color matching and wearing comfort, the market for watch straps has finally been fully activated. More and more consumers are beginning to recognize the role of watch straps, including their impact on the overall appearance, clothing matching (suitable for different occasions), and wearing comfort of watches, and reflecting their personal style and taste.

Compared to the previously ubiquitous and versatile materials and types of watch straps, it is now a completely different scene. Take Panerai, a brand known for its Italian Royal Navy watches, for example. Its Chinese official website has a dedicated watch strap selection page, listing a total of 580 watch straps, including crocodile skin, natural rubber, fabric, stainless steel, ceramics, and more, as well as their materials, specifications, colors, and prices.

Please note that as each brand has its own unique culture, Panerai does not offer relatively feminine styles such as silk, Milanese weaving, jewelry, and precious metal chains, otherwise the quantity would be even larger.

Quickly replace watch straps

When the style of the watch strap exceeds the style of the watch, the result is inevitably that a watch can be paired with multiple straps to meet the wearing needs in different occasions and dressing conditions - after all, the strap is much cheaper than the price of the watch.

However, it is quite troublesome for traditional watches to replace the strap on their own. Since Hublot first introduced the "one click" strap quick disassembly device, the whirlwind of "quick disassembly and replacement" has swept across most of the watch industry, becoming a standard for many popular women's watches, jewelry watches, fashion watches, and smart watch series. Even Vacheron Constantin's new Four Seas series has greatly improved its wearability due to the ability to easily replace the strap. Of course, although also known as quick disassembly watch straps, each company has its own patented technology, with unique features in both appearance and operation.

Special strap types

In today's watch market, watch straps of various materials, designs, and styles are dazzling, even more eye-catching than the watch itself. However, for consumers, the most crucial factors are still the comfort of wearing and the overall aesthetics.

In this regard, the combination of Ovsterflex watch straps and oyster shaped safety buckles used by Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht Master is a model. For a long time, Rolex's (official) watch straps have been either leather or metal chain straps. If customers are fond of rubber straps or NATO woven straps, they can only find modification factories themselves, and this practice is quite controversial and not recognized by Rolex's official.

Until three years ago, Rolex equipped the new Oyster Perpetual Yacht Master 40mm watch with an OVsterflex rubber strap, which has been used in this year's 42mm model. This Ovsterflex strap looks no different from a regular natural rubber strap when viewed from the front, but it features an advanced composite structure with a titanium nickel alloy coating inside. It has a memory effect, can adjust its own curvature according to the wearer's wrist, and has good elasticity. The function of wrapping metal alloy is to connect the lugs and buckles from the inside, which can avoid the risk of cracking at the joint after long-term use of rubber watch straps. And with metal components as the backbone, the outer rubber layer will not fall off even if the watch is broken, which is indeed a strong insurance measure of Rolex's family tradition.

In addition, on the inner side of the Ovsterflex strap, there are two vertical protrusions resembling fish fins, with the top curved horizontally. The rubber material of the protrusions is extremely soft and flexible, ensuring that the inner side of the strap can closely fit the undulations of the wrist, giving people a comfortable feeling like nothing. The overall visual effect of the strap is impeccable.

In terms of watch buckles, the Oyster Perpetual Yacht Luxury model is paired with an Oyster style safety buckle. It is equipped with Rolex's patented Rolex Glidelock extension system, which allows the strap to be extended from below the clasp by approximately 2.5 millimeters per square without the need for tools, with a maximum length of around 15 millimeters.

Let's take a look at Roger Dube's latest ExcaliburSpider Carbon3 carbon fiber wristwatch. This advanced work, from the case, bezel, strap to the hollowed out tourbillon movement, is mainly made of laminated carbon fiber, with a slim size and lightweight weight. The entire watch weighs only 81 grams and is limited to 28 pieces. It can be seen that the texture of the linked strap and case of the watch is completely the same, and the seamless visual effect is superior to similar products. The key to its manufacturing is to break through the limitations of carbon fiber materials through innovative technology, so that it (as a watch strap) has the ability to resist lateral pulling.