Rubber watch straps began gaining reputation within the Nineteen Sixties and have been widespread amongst divers venturing beneath the waves owing to their strong nature and excessive water resistance.
Nonetheless, not all straps met the requirements of high quality that customers needed. Some have been uncomfortable, whereas others lacked sturdiness. And there was nothing to write down dwelling about their appears.
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However rubber straps by some means discovered a option to preserve their utility through the years, with firms like Tropic succeeding in creating watch straps that dominated the market.
In a while, Tudor hopped on the bandwagon and started making diving watches with rubber straps.
After which, everybody else got here on board, particularly when makers of sports activities watches found that rubber straps have been the right answer to the issues their clients skilled with leather-based and metallic straps.
The time when rubber watch straps have been thought-about weak, non-breathable, and uncomfortably sticky is lengthy gone. Over the past 50 years, revolutionary modifications within the manufacturing sector have led to the manufacturing of all kinds of top quality and excessive efficiency pure and artificial watch straps.
Whereas rubber straps have been solely standard amongst sports activities fans and divers, they’ve steadily warmed their means into the mainstream market and at the moment are thought-about trendy and sensible alternate options to metallic or leather-based straps.
These straps are available in various shapes, colours, and patterns, and this text will overview a number of the greatest choices available in the market.
Why Do You Want a Rubber Watch Strap?
Granted, a rubber watch strap might not rating you as many trend factors as a leather-based one, nevertheless it holds its personal. It’s very best for sports activities watches since it’s waterproof and might face up to tough use. It is usually mushy and versatile and will even work in sure formal settings. Listed here are some benefits of rubber watch straps.
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They’re Reasonably priced
Rubber is simple on the pocket. First, it’s low-cost as a result of it’s grown in huge quantities in locations like India and Indonesia. Secondly, it’s immensely sturdy. One strap will final you for years.
They’re Washable
In contrast to metallic straps, which typically shouldn’t get moist, or nylon straps, which entice dust inside their cloth, rubber bands are naturally dust and water repellent. And they’re simple to scrub if want be.
They’re Waterproof
Rubber straps are fully waterproof, making them the perfect selection for moist environments. It’s no marvel that they’re one of the vital standard decisions in diving circles. These days, any dive watch producer price their salt with at all times embrace rubber strap choices of their assortment.
What are the Totally different Kinds of Rubber?
It isn’t sufficient to speak about rubber on the whole since it’s accessible in numerous types. There are two broad classes right here: pure and artificial. Whereas pure rubber is grown from vegetation, artificial rubber is artificially made in a laboratory or chemical plant from petroleum-based monomers.
Pure Rubber
Pure rubber is reasonably priced and intrinsically elastic. So you’ll be able to warp, compress, or pull it in any route you want, and it’ll at all times revert to their unique state.
However it has its weaknesses. First, pure rubber is just not precisely sweat-wicking, so anticipate issues to get a little bit bit clumsy within the warmth. Secondly, the rubber will degrade over time as a result of U.V. mild breaks down the polymers. As compared, an everyday watch ought to sit out within the solar all day with zero degradation.
Silicon
Silicon is an artificial rubber constructed to get rid of the constraints that include pure rubber—it’s water, warmth, and light-resistant and might face up to any type of warping. However it isn’t oil resistant and is subsequently unfavorable for shiny environments and an enormous no-no for skins that produce a number of pure oils.
P.U. Rubber
PU rubber is constituted of rubber and plastic, making a hybrid with the energy of each. It has the softness of rubber and the rigidity of plastic. Though some individuals might discover it a bit tough on the pores and skin, it’s exceedingly sturdy and useful.
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Greatest Rubber Watch Straps You Can Purchase Right this moment
Rubber watch straps can be found in numerous sorts, types, sizes, colours, and patterns. With too many issues to contemplate when shopping for a watch strap, the journey can get overwhelming. Fortunately, now we have narrowed the search down to 10 of the most effective watch straps in the marketplace at present.
1. Isofrane 1968
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Isofrane traces its beginnings again to the Nineteen Sixties when it loved appreciable success with fashions resembling Squale, Omega, Tissot, Aquastar, and Scubapro, which have been extremely popular amongst skilled scuba divers. Little doubt, it modified the form of diving, however the firm went underneath within the Nineteen Eighties.
Fortunately, it made a comeback in 2010. And now you can get your palms on the newest model of the long-lasting ladder strap — Isofrane 1968.
The strap is specifically crafted for skilled divers, however anybody who loves sports activities or carries their watch into the pool or bathe can nonetheless get pleasure from this comfy, high-quality strap that is available in a number of colours.
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2. Everest Curved Finish Rubber Strap
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Everest is a dominant pressure on this planet of rubber straps with distinctive designs which can be customized made to suit a number of the top-of-the-line watch fashions.
The Curved Finish rubber strap was particularly made to suit one of the vital iconic Swiss watches—Rolex. And though different rubber strap choices for Rolex exist, none of them matches its high quality and a focus to element.
Like a real Everest, the strap is available in all kinds of colour choices, together with inexperienced, orange, blue, white, and pink. However it’s its vulcanized rubber which takes the cake. It’s water, mud, U.V., and chemical resistant and has one of the vital comfy matches you’ll ever expertise in a strap.
3. Watch Gecko Zuludiver Polyurethane NLD Strap
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The Watch Gecko Zulidiver is constituted of polyurethane rubber-a versatile, sturdy, and waterproof materials greatest fitted to swimming, diving, and different sporting actions.
In comparison with straps constituted of P.V.C., you’re going to get extra resistance to U.V. radiation and higher adaptability in salty water. And it gained’t appeal to as a lot mud as silicone rubber.
However what’s most enjoyable is that these bands include a printed N.D.L. desk. After all, you’ll be able to simply compute the bounds and stops with a diver pc, however having them in your wrist gained’t harm.
And the most effective factor is that the decrease half of the strap is well reversible, making it doable to cover the desk in opposition to your pores and skin.
You get to decide on between 20mm and 22mm in pink, blue, orange, or black. The producer throws in floating keepers and good high quality stainless-steel buckles to entice you additional.
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4. Barton Watch Bands Elite Silicone
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The Barton Bands Elite combines sturdiness, consolation, and elegance. It options fast launch spring bars that make it simple to swap from one strap to a different extraordinarily quick and a 316L stainless-steel buckle. The band is accessible in 5 completely different colours (Stainless-steel, Gold, Black, Rose Gold, and Gunmetal) and is proof against bending, warping, or breaking.
It could fit18mm, 19mm, 20mm, 21mm, 22mm, 23mm, and 24mm lug widths, however to sweeten the deal, every strap is available in two lengths, making it virtually unimaginable so that you can get a strap that doesn’t match no matter your wrist measurement.
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5. Uncle Seiko Waffle Strap
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The waffle strap is without doubt one of the most admired fashions of the Nineteen Sixties and will get its title from its unmistakable waffle-iron form. Nonetheless, discovering a classic strap in good situation is a difficult affair as a result of the waffle straps have been susceptible to cracking and breaking.
Nonetheless, the brand new model precisely maintains the classic iconic model whereas nonetheless catering to the wants of present watches. That includes a brush stainless-steel buckle, the waffle is available in a wide range of sizes and in addition provides you a selection between single or double keepers.
Granted, there are different extra fashionable designs on the market, however when you love the classic model, the waffle is a superb selection.
6. Hirsch ACCENT Pure Rubber Watch Strap
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The Hirsch Accent is constituted of premium caoutchouc, a pure rubber that’s water, U.V. mild, chemical, and warmth resistant. It is usually tear-proof. From its appears, the strap might simply be mistaken for a leather-based mannequin owing to its measurement and taper.
Roughly measuring 120mm X 80mm lengthy, it is available in both a 22mm measurement that tapers to 16mm on the buckle or a 20mm possibility that tapers to 18mm. With both possibility, you could have loads of colour decisions for the buckle, together with black, gold, silver, or brushed.
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7. Otto Frei’s Swiss Tropic Strap
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In case you are on the lookout for a stupendous watch strap, Otto Frei’s Swiss Tropic gained’t disappoint. It’s manufactured from Otto Frei’s workshop primarily based in California and is without doubt one of the most reasonably priced and sensible watch straps on our listing.
Flaunting a silicon rubber building, its 20mm stainless-steel buckle and 22mm lag stay constant in measurement all by. Whereas the strap’s whole size is 7 ½ inches, its usable size ranges between 3 ¾ inches and 6 ¾ inches.
Total, the Otto Frei is a must have for a strap fans on the lookout for dependability.
8. SHINOLA Black Rubber Strap
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For those who love American manufacturers, SHINOLA needs to be on the high of your listing. Like SHINOLA’s watches, their watch straps don’t disappoint because of wonderful workmanship and time-tested methods.
The fabric of selection right here is high-quality nitrile rubber that ensures sturdiness and luxury. Take into consideration resistance to excessive climate, sweat, oil, and chemical substances.
You might need to pay a little bit extra for these straps, however you’ll be able to financial institution on their reliability, consolation, and match with out compromising on model. Sadly you’ll solely get them in black, however there’s a good-looking brushed buckle end.
9. Seiko “Monster” Diver Strap
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The Seiko Monster Diver is a black substitute strap with 22mm band width. Whereas it is probably not as versatile because the Isofrane, it’s constituted of a powerful rubber materials that’s versatile and water resistant.
And regardless of being good for the cash, it doesn’t really feel as stiff as different rubber straps. Additionally, you will love that the strap is simple to put in. Total, it’s a high-quality strap that matches completely.
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10. Joseph Bonnie Tropic Rubber Strap
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Identical to the basic Tropic Strap, Joseph Bonnie rocks a classic look that’s accessible in blue, black, and army inexperienced colours. Constructed to honor the dive watches of the Nineteen Sixties, the strap has so much to supply from its hypoallergenic silicone construct. It’s comfy, versatile, ultra-resistant, and simple to take care of.
The watch strap additionally options an EASY-BAR system that permits you to rapidly change between completely different straps of various sizes, types, and colours with out an excessive amount of trouble. It’s a must-have for surfers, scuba divers, and anybody who loves the deep waters.
Last Ideas
Regardless of earlier criticism, the rubber watch strap has earned its spot on the desk. Aside from dominating the diving area of interest and the sports activities scene on the whole, it has additionally turn out to be a luxurious watch accent.
And with their practicality, safety, consolation, and sturdiness, it isn’t shocking that many unique watch manufacturers at the moment are together with rubber straps of their assortment.
Rubber watch straps are available in varied sorts, sizes, colours, and patterns and can be found in numerous worth ranges. There are numerous issues to contemplate when deciding which rubber watchstrap deserves area in your assortment.
Which sort of rubber do you choose? Which colour will fit your character? Which design is probably the most useful? Happily for you, our listing consists of the most effective rubber watch straps accessible at completely different worth ranges.
Are you on the lookout for one thing reasonably priced with fancy vibrant colours for infrequent leisure use? Then perhaps Watch Gecko Zuludiver Polyurethane NLD Strap will tickle your fancy.
However in case you are knowledgeable diver working in subsea engineering, it’s best to think about getting the most effective rubber watch strap accessible. In that case, Everest Curved Finish Rubber Strap may simply be what you want.
