Does a bracelet or strap change the wearing experience?

[ExpatTarheel]

Hi all,
I've had my new Explorer I 214270 for about three weeks now and I am in love. I like to put my watches on different straps. I've heard that Rolex bracelets affect the experience of wearing a watch, perhaps more than for other watches. For instance, a review of the 214270 said that the design of the lugs and the transition from case to bracelet helps keep the watch from looking dainty despite it's 36mm case.

Does anyone know from experience if switching a Rolex from the bracelet to a leather strap adversely affects how the watch wears? Thanks in advance.

[mmmk604]

It 100% changes the feel. In addition to the aesthetics, the watch becomes A LOT lighter with a leather/rubber strap.

With rubber and leather straps, I tend to wear my watches more snug. With a metal bracelet, I wear them a bit loose.

I prefer metal bracelets on all my watches, I even have one on my G-Shock.

[csaltphoto]

I way prefer the bracelet and I didn't think I would. Rolex bracelets are very comfortable.

[wgdaytona]

Yes, big time. I cannot tell you which is "better" because some watches wear nice on leather. But, I can tell you 100% they wear different.

[watchwatcher]

It's a different feel, but I wouldn't say adverse. Not at all.

I was strictly a bracelet guy for many, many years and you could probably dig up all sorts of threads where I bashed anything but a bracelet, but then...

I tried on the Tudor GMT on leather and it was a complete game changer. Then Oysterflex came along...and yeah, I was out of the 'bracelet only' camp faster than you could say it.

[georgew]

Could just be me, but one key reason for a Rolex sport watch - is the metal oyster bracelet (ok, and maybe jubilee on some GMTs). Leather and/or rubber just doesn't do it for me (personally). Leather on different watches can work quite well though

[Krash]

Rolex bracelets are tough to beat.

I only consider rubber or leather straps as a viable option when it comes to other brands (Omega, for example).

My 2 cents...

[aehaas]

I have tried leather, rubber, NATO straps on Rolex, Omega, Gand Seiko and other watches. They all seem to work best when tighter than a bracelet. If they are not "tight" the weight of the watch case causes them to rotate outwards and become less useful and not as comfortable. I have always gone back to a bracelet. The watches that originally came on a rubber or leather strap were OK that way as long as they were tight.

Today I always strive for a micro-adjustable bracket. And I wear them somewhat loose.

Ali

[Calatrava r]

I prefer the bracelet. On a strap they can be head heavy.

[Ollie1982]

Changing out a bracket for a strap or visa versa absolutely affects the wearing experience.

Whether that be a positive or a negative is really down to the person or the watch in question.


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[JJGreen]

I find Rolex to offer the best bracelets in the industry so I often wear Rolex on the original bracelet only, not a strap. But in general I'm the same as you, strap changes, etc. IMO just about any other brand can be swapped and the feel is similar, but with Rolex I prefer the bracelet.

[jatco]

I prefer bracelets over straps (leather).. which are more flexible on the wrist than leather. Have not used any rubber straps. I do have leather on a few vintage pieces where bracelets do not work, but my regular watches, TT DJ and Tudor are on oem bracelets.. fwiw.

[worldofoyster]

definitely, it also gives a new look to the watch

[ExpatTarheel]

Originally Posted by csaltphoto

I way prefer the bracelet and I didn't think I would. Rolex bracelets are very comfortable.

I didn’t think I’d like the Rolex bracelet as much as I do. Took a few tries to get it dialled in but I can see now why people like them.

[Harry-57]

The feel is very different but unless something is digging in or pulling, you soon get used to the feel. I find Rolex bracelets much more comfortable than any strap.

[zengineer]

Originally Posted by ExpatTarheel

Hi all,

I've had my new Explorer I 214270....

... a review of the 214270 said that the design of the lugs and the transition from case to bracelet helps keep the watch from looking dainty despite it's 36mm case.

Maybe that's because it's 39mm, not 36.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by ExpatTarheel

Hi all,
I've had my new Explorer I 214270 for about three weeks now and I am in love. I like to put my watches on different straps. I've heard that Rolex bracelets affect the experience of wearing a watch, perhaps more than for other watches. For instance, a review of the 214270 said that the design of the lugs and the transition from case to bracelet helps keep the watch from looking dainty despite it's 36mm case.

Does anyone know from experience if switching a Rolex from the bracelet to a leather strap adversely affects how the watch wears? Thanks in advance.

Well whether bracelet of strap dont make much difference, as its still only a wristwatch that has one main function and thats just to tell the time on the wrist.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

The feel is very different but unless something is digging in or pulling, you soon get used to the feel. I find Rolex bracelets much more comfortable than any strap.

I’m very much in this camp as well

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

It's a different feel, but I wouldn't say adverse. Not at all.

I was strictly a bracelet guy for many, many years and you could probably dig up all sorts of threads where I bashed anything but a bracelet, but then...

I tried on the Tudor GMT on leather and it was a complete game changer. Then Oysterflex came along...and yeah, I was out of the 'bracelet only' camp faster than you could say it.

I still haven’t graduated Larry

[travisb]

Will have a different look and feel for sure. It's fun to try other options but to me nothing beats the bracelet. Only way to go for me with Rolex.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

It's a different feel, but I wouldn't say adverse. Not at all.

I was strictly a bracelet guy for many, many years and you could probably dig up all sorts of threads where I bashed anything but a bracelet, but then

+1, now love watches both ways!


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[Dave O]

I feel a bit different than most posters on this thread. I just love the look and feel of my Rubber B on my bluesy. Yes, it 100% changes the feel of the watch (as well as the look). Much lighter. But if you want a more sporty look (especially coming from a TT oyster on a bluesy) then a rubber strap can do that for you depending on the look/color of the strap you choose. That being said, I love my SS Sub on the SS oyster bracelet. It really depends on the look you are going for.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I still haven’t graduated Larry

All good, brother.