Watch Straps and Bracelets Explained

Why straps matter

Changing the strap is the easiest way to give a watch a whole new personality. The same diver can look dressy on leather, sporty on rubber and casual on a NATO.

The main types

• Metal bracelets: durable and versatile; styles include Oyster, Jubilee, President and integrated designs
• Leather: classic and dressy; avoid water and rotate them to make them last
• Rubber and FKM: waterproof, comfortable and ideal for sport and diving
• NATO and nylon: inexpensive, colorful and secure, since the watch stays on even if one spring bar fails
• Mesh (Milanese): a metal weave with a vintage feel
• Sailcloth and canvas: sporty and tough

Lug width and sizing

Lug width is the distance between the lugs, usually 18 to 22 mm, and it decides which straps fit. Many straps taper toward the buckle, which can make a watch feel lighter and more comfortable. Bracelets are sized by adding or removing links, and many clasps have micro-adjust positions for fine-tuning.

Changing a strap

Many modern straps have quick-release spring bars with a small lever, so you can swap them by hand. Otherwise, a spring bar tool does the job in a minute: compress the bar, lift the strap out, and do the reverse with the new one. Work over a soft cloth so nothing scratches or rolls away.