Watch straps are a great way to upgrade the look of your watch, and if you choose your watch straps wisely, you could well benefit from a watch that looks as good as new and is perfect for any occasion. For instance, if you already have a watch with leather straps, you can still wear it comfortably in the summer with Nato straps, which are more suitable for hot weather. The same goes if you have a watch with Nato straps – you can easily upgrade it to a dressier watch with premium leather straps. The straps you choose will make a difference, and you should pair your straps with your watch as well as your lifestyle, preference, and personal sense of style. So how do you choose the best watch strap? The following is your essential guide to watch straps – and which to select for your watch.
The first rule of thumb
Of course, you should never be restricted from doing what you want, including choosing the watch strap you want. There aren’t really any ‘norms’ associated with what strap to use with which watch; if you own a dive watch but don’t really use it for swimming or diving, then feel free to wear it with a strap made from leather. Meanwhile, if you own a dress watch but you always have a casual look, then you can always pair it with a colourful strap made of nylon. Of course, you shouldn’t go to extremes either – the point to remember is that watch straps can be a fun and excellent way to express yourself, and at the end of the day, you can mix and match according to your liking.
Know your requirements
But if you want to make a wise choice, you should at least have an idea of your requirements. For example, do you need the watch strap to be water-resistant so you can shower or swim with it? If you answered yes, then you should stick with straps that are waterproof, such as nylon (Nato straps), rubber, or metal. If, on the other hand, your watch doesn’t really get wet (only from the occasional splash when you wash your hands, for instance), then you can choose any material, including exotic skin or leather.
Determine the most appropriate colour based on your need
Most of us have our preferred colours or colour palette, and it would be a good idea to check your own wardrobe and begin with colours which can complement or match what you usually wear. For example, if you prefer wearing brown leather belts or shoes, then you may as well opt for brown leather straps. If your belts and shoes are mostly black, then a black leather strap is often an ideal choice. But you don’t have to worry too much about choosing the exact match in colour and tone; again, it depends on your personal taste as well.
Also, the colour of your watch’s dial can be a consideration. A brown strap can work well with a dial that is of a black colour, and it would also be wise to keep some degree of contrast. A black dial will often work best with a light brown or medium brown strap, and a white or silver dial can look good with a medium brown or dark brown strap.
You can select from an array of straps for your watch, but it also pays to go for quality straps, such as Omega leather straps for your Omega watch; made with the best standards in mind. Bear in mind that the strap’s thickness plays a crucial role as well, so make sure that it is well-proportioned with the thickness of your watch too.
To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.
