There could also be several reasons to change a watch strap. It can be just for the sake of change or comfort, or the reason for the change could be a worn-out strap. And sometimes, changing the watch strap can also fulfill the desire to change the timepiece.
Furthermore, buying watches and building a watch collection in one’s wardrobe is an addiction for many people. According to statistical data, this attribute is most prevalent in men compared to women. People wearing watches are considered reliable and punctual, and an elegant watch definitely helps make a great First expression.
Several materials available in the market are being used in making watch bands, like leather, rubber, canvas, and metal. Each one of them has a different lifespan and aesthetic appeal.
Seven Reasons to Replace a Strap:
⦁ It Enhances the Overall Life of a Timepiece.
⦁ Saves Money.
Buying a watch is more expensive than a new strap, then why don’t we do this to follow our passion for dressing watches? It’s certainly a cost-effective way to give a new look to your watch by just replacing a watch band.
Buying one extra strap can fit so many watches of that size and allows using the right strap for the right occasion.
⦁ You Get More Flexibility with Your Style.
Watch band replacement plays a vital role in enhancing the overall look of an outfit. Inappropriate watch band selection can deteriorate the appearance of someone at a party or a business meeting. Though there is variety in straps made out of different materials; but leather strapping has maximum in it. Variations in leather texture, color, stitching pattern, and designs give a distinctive look to the same watch.
The strap always grabs attention before someone looks at the brand of the watch. A watch strap has a 360-degree presentation and always gets noticed regardless of its position on the wrist.
⦁ You Can Find Better Quality.
If you buy a watch that comes with a lousy quality watch band that you don’t like, in this case, it allows you to replace a poor one with a better quality watch band of your choice. You can select a color that will be suitable for most occasions, whether it’s formal or informal.
⦁ It’s Very Eco-Friendly.
Impulse and unthoughtful buying put pressure on the environment. If you want to contribute towards a healthy environment, you can take part by replacing the watch bands rather than changing the watches, which will ultimately go into the bin.
⦁ The Sentimental Value.
Most of us have watches that have a particular association with our loved ones or are gifted to us on special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and graduation. Time passes, new designs are introduced in watches, and we buy them too, but we also want to keep these priceless gifts. It’s a fantastic way to preserve old watches by putting a new leather watch band on them. Thoughtfully selected colors in leather will give them a new and legitimate look.
⦁ Personal Satisfaction.
If you are feeling bored or missing personal satisfaction in your watch, you can regain satisfaction in your timepiece by simply changing a strap/band.
What are the available options in watch Straps?
Once you have convinced yourself that it’s time to change the watch band/strap, then what type of band should you buy next? Before you check the options, you must know the watch’s lug size and wrist size. The most common sizes are 20,22 mm, and the less common are 18,19,24,26 mm.
Now it’s the time to learn about the material used for watch band making,
Five Main Types of Materials Being Used for Making Watch Straps:
⦁ Leather Watch Straps.
It’s the most comfortable watch band material, and top-grain leather is the best type to craft top-end straps. It offers various designs and textures to enhance the aesthetic of the band. The downside is that leather has a limited life and needs care.
⦁ Rubber Watch Straps.
Rubber is sourced from plants and used in different industries; watch band making is one of them. Rubber straps are primarily suitable for divers and people exposed to chemical reactions. Rubber is the best watch band material for exercise because of its sweat-absorbent property. It has excellent resistance against temperature too.
⦁ Nylon Watch Straps.
Nylon belongs to the textile raw material. It’s lightweight, and the band made out of it is used with sports watches. Nylon has a longer life and is water resistant too.
⦁ Fabric Watch Straps.
Replacement watch straps are also made out of fabric. The fabric could be of any category, like military grade, silk, and denim. Fabric watch bands are mostly available in zulu and nato watch bands categories. This material is strong enough to hold heavy watches.
⦁ Stainless Steel Watch Straps.
Different steel grades are used to make watch bracelets. The most commonly used steel in average-priced bands is 304L, whereas 316L is the steel type used to make good quality metal bands. Metal watch bracelets have the longest life span in straps. This watch band is equally famous for traditional and apple watches.
FAQs
⦁ What Size Replacement Watch Band Do I Need?
The size will be in mm and can be found at the back of the strap, checked with the watch manufacturer, or measured lug distance with a ruler[HS3] .
⦁ How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Watch Band?
Depending upon the material and brand, the price can vary from $30 to a couple of hundred dollars. Since leather strap has a massive variation in designs and types of the leather itself, a reasonable cowhide leather watch band should ideally cost under $100, and the average price of an exotic leather watch band can range from $200 to $300.
⦁ Why Do Watch Bands Cost So Much?
The making of a watch strap and the type of material determines the price of a watch band; among all materials, leather bands have more variation in price. Handmade watch strap making involves more than 12 different processes, starting from selecting leather and ending with painting or polishing its edges.
⦁ Can I Change the Watch Band Myself?
Indeed, yes, changing a watch band is very easy and can be done at home; you need a little bit of confidence, firm hands, a proper workplace, and preferably a tool (however, it can be done without a tool, too), be mindful of not losing spring bars during this job.
References:
https://www.strapcode.com/blogs/all-about-watch-bands/7-best-watch-band-materials-for-watch-lovers
https://www.instructables.com/Leather-Watch-Strap/
(C) Or Guide chart
