The 10 Best Watch Straps
Special Honors
Crown and Buckle Walnut Boxcalf Sourced from France and manufactured in the United States, the vintage-style Walnut Boxcalf sports two layers of incredibly strong leather with virtually no stretch. It's precision-machined with ecru thread and boasts a medium-tan coloration that works well with a host of watches. It's outfitted with one floating and one fixed keeper, and arrives with a stainless steel buckle in the finish of your choice. crownandbuckle.com
Everest Curved End Rubber for Rolex Submariner Meticulously crafted by Swiss manufacturers and precision fit to certain Rolex Submariner models, this band by Everest is made from one of the highest quality rubbers in the world. It offers excellent resistance to UV rays, excessive heat and cold, stretching, stains, tearing, chemicals, and dirt and dust. This makes it ideal for the active wearer. everestbands.com
Hodinkee Black Leather Rallye Made to be paired with racing chronographs of any period, this retro-looking band from Hodinkee is a play on the beloved racer-style straps of the 1960s. Handmade in Italy by multi-generational artisans using top-tier leather, it sports large vents in a streamlined descending style and matching topstitching. It's available in three sizes. hodinkee.com
Editor's Notes
June 20, 2019:
Choosing a strap is a highly personal decision that relies on your distinct aesthetic tastes just as much as the style of your timepiece. Your ideal band will need to match the majority of your outfits and suit your lifestyle, IE sporty and rugged, or refined and stylish. With this in mind, we compiled a diverse list with options for myriad scenarios.
We prioritized durability and fit, as well as comfort, compatibility, and ease of installation. We gravitated toward straps that used clean, strong stitching, quality hardware, and sealed ends and sizing holes. We were also sure to include rubber, braided nylon, ballistic nylon, genuine leather, and stainless steel articles. A handful of our selections are waterproof.
We wanted the majority of our models to be available in multiple lengths and colors. Knowing full well that everyone's wrist is just a little different and the fit might not be exactly what you expected, we ensured that many of our choices were backed by reliable warranties as well.
For dive watches, consider the Marathon Watch Company Diver and Barton Elite, while chronographs will benefit from racer styles such as the Bandini GT Rally. For EDC, there's the BluShark Original and Eulit Palma. If your tastes are chicer, there's the Miltat Super 3D Oyster (only compatible with certain Seiko models), and the Autulet Deluxe Jubilee, which fits many of the most popular branded watches out there. The Maikes Greased Leather and Hirsch No Allergy have subtle vintage appearances that look good dressed up or down, making them a solid choice for both business attire and recreational pursuits.