Watch Straps Explained: Choosing the Right One

The strap is half the watch

A watch head on the wrong strap feels off. The right strap can take the same timepiece from the office to the ocean. The good news: straps are interchangeable, and we'll fit yours for free.

The four families

NATO — rugged & casual

Braided nylon, quick-release, originally a military spec. A NATO is tough, affordable, and looks great on a sport or field watch. It's the strap that says adventure.

Leather — dress & patina

Calf, buffalo, crocodile, lizard. Leather softens and darkens with wear — it ages with you. Choose leather for dress watches, vintage pieces, and anything you want to feel personal.

Metal — durable & cool

Beads-of-rice, Milanese mesh, solid-link bracelets. A steel bracelet is the most durable option and stays comfortable in heat. It suits dive and sport watches perfectly.

Rubber / FKM — sport & water

Vulcanised rubber, silicone, tropic-style. The strap for diving, swimming, and hot days. FKM is the premium grade — it won't crack or go sticky.

How to choose

• Where will you wear it? Water and heat → rubber or steel. Office → leather. Weekend → NATO.
• What's the lug width? Check your watch's strap width (often 18–22mm) so the new strap fits.
• Mix and match. One watch, several straps, a different look every day.

Explore our strap collection or personalise any watch from its product page.