We put together a comprehensive, easy, and fun guide to the different types of
Like pairing the right wine with the right entrée, you can fundamentally change the feel of the
Join us as we dive into the best types of
How Do I Choose a Watch Band?
There are three aesthetic qualities to consider:
- Size: The length is, of course, based on your wrist size. The width is a style choice. In general, thinner bands are dressier, while thicker bands look sportier.
- Material: We’ll explore the following band materials in this guide: Metal, leather, nylon, and rubber. Metal and leather can be dressy or casual, depending on the style. Nylon and rubber are typically casual.
- Style:
Watch bands come in a plethora of styles. Our guide is organized first by material, then by the different styles that each material usually comes in.
Let’s find the right
Types of Watch Bands
We’re going to dive into each type of
Metal Watch Bands (stainless steel, titanium, and precious metals)
- The Jubilee
- The Oyster
- The President
- The Pearlmaster
- Other Metal
Watch Band Bracelet Styles - Super Engineer
- Shark Mesh
- Milanese
Leather Watch Bands (genuine leather, faux leather, and full grain leather)
- Rally Strap
- Bund Strap
- Leather NATO and Zulu Straps
- Pilot Strap
- Embossed Leather Strap
Nylon Watch Bands
- Nylon NATO and Zulu Straps
- Nylon Perlon Strap
Rubber Watch Bands
- Standard Rubber
Watch Strap - Tropic Strap
So strap in (zing!), we have lots of
Metal Watch Strap Guide
Stainless Steel Watch Bands
Stainless steel is the granddaddy of watch metals, being the most common and sought after.
Ironically, stainless steel watches were considered too utilitarian for social occasions before the 1960s. Rolex, however, focused on tool
Watch specialists love complexity. It’s why automatics are so esteemed, despite how unnecessarily complicated they are compared to an equally as respectable and often more accurate quartz.
For example, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak’s stainless steel wristband has 250 edges to be rounded and an intricate array of surfaces to be individually brushed or polished, all by hand. Many stainless steel bands require this kind of hands-on artistry today.
304L vs 316L
- 316L stainless steel has more nickel and molybdenum, an alloy that increases strength and hardness, in its make-up. It’s a higher-quality
watch bracelet that’s more resistant to corrosion. - 304L is perfectly strong, but definitely the inferior alloy.
Titanium Watch Bands
Titanium is three times as strong as steel, much lighter, and doesn’t contain any nickel which some may be allergic to.
It’s also far more expensive and not as shiny.
The net result of these qualities is a band metal rarely used outside of aeronautical and astronautical testing.
Usually weightiness is considered a sign of a good men’s timepiece. We’re all about buying what you love though, and if you like a lighter, stronger band, and are willing to spend the extra bucks, titanium is a great option.
The quartz Tag Heuer Formula 1 with a titanium band is a favorite in the
Precious Metals Watch Bands
Precious metals are an impressive fashion statement and make
Platinum is the strongest option, followed by white gold, then yellow gold, though none are tougher than stainless steel.
Metal Watch Band Bracelet Styles
We can’t talk about metal styles without talking about Rolex specifically. No other brand gives their bracelets as much attention as Rolex does. They use a proprietary Oystersteel, an especially sturdy and rust-resistant stainless steel.
In 1998, Rolex bought out Gay Frère, the renowned bracelet supplier famous for the previously mentioned Royal Oak bracelet. Frère and Rolex have four in-house bracelets that inspire look-alikes throughout the industry.
These are the types of
The Jubilee
Rolex’s first in-house bracelet came out in 1945 paired with the Datejust.
It’s their most classic dress watch bracelet, though it goes great with any Rolex face. It’s a complex pattern of five pieces linked together, with the narrower middle pieces forming an iconic x-pattern.
This Seiko metal watch band features a Jubilee-style design. It may also be worn on other watches with 22mm distance between the lugs (view chart). Genuine Seiko stainless-steel watch band: Curved end pieces to fit 22mm distance between watch lugs Jubilee-style design
These middle links bring your attention directly to the face.
Since this is a dress
Seiko even makes a great stainless steel Jubilee style band.
The Oyster
Rolex is known for combining functionality and lore.
Instantly recognizable, the Oyster is a robust bracelet with flat three‑piece links. First produced in the 1930s, this is Rolex’s sportiest and most casual option. It typically comes on the brand’s professional
The Oyster is a robust bracelet with flat three-piece links. It was first produced in the 1930s, often associated with Rolex, though it is a standard, trusty tool watch bracelet for all brands.
It wears its functionality on its sleeve, so I think the Oyster goes with literally any case. It’s the most versatile metal band.
Today’s Oyster is a descendant of a 1930s design, though Rolex patented the 1947 iteration.
The President
In terms of formalness, the President is somewhere in between the Oyster and the Jubilee, design-wise. Like the Oyster, it’s a three-link bracelet, but the links are thinner and semi-circular, so it has far more links and a curvature to its sheen.
However, the President bracelet is made exclusively for the Rolex Day-Date and mainly in precious metals.
Check out this Stainless steel version:
A President-style homage-type bracelet. The original President bracelet is made exclusively for the Rolex Day-Date, and mainly in precious metals.
The Pearlmaster
The Pearlmaster is always made from gold or platinum, but its design is far flashier than that of the President.
It’s a five-piece link bracelet made from slightly rounded pieces. The center link is the widest and is framed by slim links, which are often blinged out. The Pearlmaster is popularly used for faces set with diamonds and precious gems.
The President has a simple design, but is often made from precious metals to add a touch of decadence. The Jubilee is a complex design, best balanced out with stainless steel. The Pearlmaster doesn’t hold back, with its complex design and flashy material.
Other Metal Watch Band Bracelet Styles
Rolex aside, there are other beautiful, recognizable metal band styles out there!
Super Engineer
At almost 5mm thick, this is a hefty bracelet that doesn’t let you forget it’s on your wrist. It’s five links long, and each piece is hexagonally cut so it has a centipede effect when you flex it.
Because there are so many lines in just a small surface area of the bracelet, this checkered band fully transforms any
Legend has it Seiko built it, which is probably why it looks so great on Seiko dive watches.
Since the multiple surfaces make it sparkle, I’m of the controversial opinion that it can go with a small dress face too. The combination reminds me of a Cartier dress
One downside is that the small links easily trap dirt, so clean your Engineer regularly!
Shark Mesh
Like its namesake, the Shark Mesh is one of the toughest bands out there, first introduced by Omega.
Milanese SHARK watch band interweaved mesh construction no sharp edges, no fade, not scratch the hand, looks great on sports, diving & vintage watches.
Because the band is made up of small loops that create a chainmail design, there are less places it can break from, making it exceedingly durable.
This also makes the Shark Mesh a lighter, breathable wear than the Engineer bracelet. Since it’s so light though, it should fit pretty tightly to avoid jingling.
I would pair this bracelet with a diver, as it was designed for.
Milanese
The Milanese is also a chainmail design, but with much smaller, closer pieces, for a denser look. It’s a smoother bracelet overall compared to the Shark Mesh.
The Milanese has a delicate, antiquey look and pairs well with dress watches and small faces in general.
It also has a delicate, antiquey look and pairs well with dress
Leather Watch Straps Guide
The origins of the leather
Regardless, they are stylish and timeless, and a great way to bring a tool
Artificial vs Genuine
Actual genuine leathers, like full-grain and top-grain leather, are definitely higher quality, distinguished with a more organic imperfect grain if you look closely. Genuine leathers are also treated with oils.
Faux leathers, however, are more environmentally friendly and more affordable. They’re also way more durable since they don’t retain moisture or crack.
Leather Watch Strap Styles
Rally Strap
Auto-racing, along with diving and aviation, always inspired innovations and designs in the
The Rally strap’s defining features are the large perforations on either side, which were originally put there to match the racing gloves of the 1960s, which were perforated for ventilation.
The Rally strap’s defining features are the large perforations on either side, which were originally put there to match the racing gloves of the 1960s, which were perforated for ventilation.
It’s a distinct and breathable option that goes great with large chronographs. Not only do they have a similar racing-related history, but visually, the perforations are reminiscent of the chronograph’s subdials.
Bund Strap
The German army adopted Bund straps in the 1940s as a way to put a barrier between the watchcase and the wearers’ wrist in the event the
Bund straps are large, bulky, and very warm. Some would say that it isn’t for men with small wrists, but I think it wears like a leather cuff bracelet a la Johnny Depp. If that’s your style, I’d say go for it despite your wrist size.
After the 1960s, the strap became popular in the European mainstream then beyond.
Bund straps are large, bulky, and very warm. Some would say that it isn’t for men with small wrists, but I think it wears like a leather cuff bracelet a la Johnny Depp. If that’s your style, I’d say go for it despite your wrist size.
Since it takes up so much real estate on your wrist though, I recommend sticking to genuine, high-quality leather.
Leather NATO and Zulu Straps
Another strap style we can thank the military for! After the Cold War, NATO straps were in high demand at military surplus shops all over the US and Europe.
A NATO is woven through the spring bars so that wearers can switch
Zulu straps are like larger versions of NATOs. They are thicker with bigger hardware. Also, NATOs feature an additional strap that slides through the lugs as a sort of insurance policy in case a spring bar should pop out. Zulus don’t have this.
Zulu straps are like larger versions of NATOs. They are thicker with bigger hardware. Also, NATOs feature an additional strap that slides through the lugs as a sort of insurance policy in case a spring bar should pop out. Zulus don’t have this.
I personally love leather NATO and Zulu straps with stitching on it. The extra dimension elevates the style and adds complexity.
Pilot Strap
Originally designed for oversized aviator
Originally designed for oversized aviator watches, Pilot straps are distinguished by their rivets.
There are usually two metal rivets on each side of the strap near the lugs, and often one more rivet at the bottom of the strap.
They were originally placed there to ensure the straps didn’t slide off the Pilot’s wrist, but today are a classic design highlight that goes great with chronographs and military style
Embossed Leather Strap
Genuine or artificial, embossing is another distinct style feature for leather straps.
Ritche leather watch band adopts a standard four-layer process. The top layer and it is made of top grain cowhide leather watch band with embossed alligator or crocodile styling. The middle layer uses padding layer and adds a special shaping layer to ensure that the watch strap is moisture-proof and durability. The bottom layer reinforced matte lining ensures soft and breathable
While actual ostrich or alligator may be controversial these days, embossing leather to get that effect adds an old-world luxury to dress
Nylon Watch Bands Guide
Nylon is great for rugged conditions due to its durability and moisture-wicking qualities. Most military
They come in a Perlon style, and like leather straps, in NATO and Zulu styles as well.
Nylon NATO and Zulu Straps
Unlike leather NATO and Zulu styles, the Nylon versions are less dressy, and I think more adventurous looking.
As such, they pair well with sport
Soft, breathable, comfortable, waterproof, Stink resistant and machine washable. What else could you ask for?
The surface of the watch band is smooth, feels soft and comfortable, will never scratch your skin. With its superior features such as lightweight, breathable, sweat absorption ability, perfect craftsmanship.
Nylon Perlon Strap
Perlon is weaved from thick nylon threads making them stronger than a regular nylon band, and almost impossible to rip. It’s essentially a nylon chainmail.
Lightweight, breathable and washable, the strap is 100% waterproof and sealed at the end to prevent fraying.
Aesthetically, the basket weaving texture gives Perlon more dimension than a regular nylon strap. It’s also very cool, breathable, and a great strap option for the summer.
Since the buckle tongue is slipped through the weavings, sizing is really easy. You don’t need predetermined holes as you do with a regular nylon strap.
Perlon is a casual style that elevates sport and field
Rubber Watch Bands Guide
Rubber
Different brands have different styles of rubber straps. For example, Uncle Seiko has a popular textured rubber strap and Everest has made a name for themselves creating high-end rubber straps just for Rolexes specifically.
The original rubber strap though is the tropic.
Tropic Strap
The Tropic style is known for its basket weave pattern on the outside of the band. Rubber straps are always casual, but this added layer of texture elevates it, style-wise.
This waterproof watch strap is made in Italy from 100% vulcanized rubber. It features TROPIC’s iconic ‘tapestry’ texture.
With a Tropic, high-end sport watches retain their casual yet luxurious look.
It’s also the most legendary rubber style. Every
I love it with Seiko and Citizen dives, as well as with Timex military style watches.
What Tools are Needed to Change a Watch Strap?
Changing a
First, check if the watch strap you’re buying has “quick release” functionality. This should be clearly stated on the sales page, because it’s a good selling point.
Quick release straps have a nub attached to the spring bar, allowing you to detach the strap from your
Solid budget watch repair kit that will allow you to do most of the basic upkeep at home.
If your bands don’t have the quick release function, here’s what you need to know to change your straps:
Typically, a
This affordable EFIXTK Spring Bar Tool Set comes with extra pins and tweezers.
This mid-range set of micro-drivers comes with two Philips sizes and eight flat-head sizes to accommodate every
This Professional Watch Repair Kit comes with tools for everything from strap replacement to even gasket replacement.
It’s certainly ambitious, but considering its affordability and that it literally comes with every tool you’ll need for your
The Best Types of Watch Bands
Having different types of
Watch bands are a great accessory to do some risky experimentation with. After all, you can always switch it up.
We hope you’ve discovered new
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What’s changed?
04/29/2023 | Added and updated links |
10/10/2021 | Updates to text, updated links |
01/24/2021 | Original publish date |