WatchBands
The band types convey signals about who you are, and what
purpose you’re serving.
For example, a rubber strap may signal you are a diver. A
leather strap shows the man dressing up for a classy night out.
A nylon strap may speak of sandy beaches and drinks with
umbrellas in them. Metal gives a heavy accessory feel where
leather gives a minimalistic classy mood.
Let’s look at each one in detail:
1. Leather : Leather bands are going to give your watch a
slimmer look. They have a sleek tone which makes them the
primary choice for formal attire. The minimalistic feel from
leather band watches give a classic feeling. You also can dress
them down, making them the primary choice when starting
your watch collection because of the versatility.
Leather bands come in a variety of choices. When picking
your leather band look at several factors:
● They type of leather
● The padding inside the strap
● Quality & color of stitching
These matter for several reasons. If the leather is synthetic,
the bending of the watch strap to buckle it will begin to crack
over time, reducing the number wears and longevity.
Watches with no padding can begin to feel uncomfortable
when worn throughout the day. If you’re wearing it for 12
hours a day you want it to be comfortable on your wrist.
The stitching is important because the slightest difference in
the color of stitching in a watch strap can drop the formality
from dressy to casual.
You ideally want the stitching to match the color of your
leather. Types of leather range from common leather types to
exotic.
Tip: Stay away from faux leather straps!
Examples:
● Cowhide
● Calfskin
● Bison
● Lizard
● Top Grain
● Snake
● Alligator
● Full Grain
● Genuine (Suede)
2. Metal : A metal watch band, even one the same size as a
leather band, will always appear larger & heavier because of
the nature of metal. This is an important consideration if you
have smaller wrists.
Metal bands will present the appearance of a larger watch,
making it a primary choice for men with larger wrists. Metal
is lower on the formality scale than leather. It goes well
with sports coats and a pair of odd trousers or denim. On
occasion it’s okay to wear metal bands with suits if it’s not a
formal suit.
Common types of metals used in watches have a wide range.
Examples are:
● Stainless Steel
● Titanium
● Aluminum
● Rhodium
● Gold
● Silver
● Platinum
Each one can come in a polished or natural state. If you want a
watch as an heirloom the best options are
something with longevity. Titanium and stainless steel in their
natural state are great options for that.
Solid gold and platinum will also stand the test of time as
well, although a more expensive option.
3 Fabric : Fabric is usually found in functional and casual
watches. Material like nylon is an excellent choice for an
informal watch. A great place to wear these are anywhere you
may be going around water; to the lake, or the beach. The
fabric won’t get easily ruined if water happens to splash on it.
A great summer accessory!
Common types of fabric watches include:
● Rubber
● Nylon
● Tweed
● Plastic blends
When looking for quality it’s best to stay away from plastics.
They’re pretty cheap and will easily break over time. Rubber
is great for divers or runners that sweat heavily as it won’t
absorb water.
