Aftermarket Rubber Straps

[Watchymcwatchface]

Good morning all,

I am looking at buying an after market watch strap and have considered the Rubber B and The Everest versions for my Rolex GMT Master II Ceramic.

What are every ones thoughts on the 2 bands. I feel like they are very expensive for what they are, do you agree?

What features do you look for in a rubber strap and what are the strengths and weaknesses of the rubber b and Everest straps in your opinion?

Any other thoughts on what to look for in a rubber watch strap? What sort of price do you think would be a fair one to pay for a top quality strap? What would make you buy / not buy one? Any special features?

Thanks

[1st amg]

I will save you from sarcastic responses from our seasoned TRF members, there are a tonne of threads on this, the search tool is great. Give it a try!

[hugs]

There was a thread recently where someone purchased a cheaper rubber strap. You could have made another strap from the tears in all the replies

I think the consensus is that your Rolex is expensive so you need to spend a lot of money on the strap too. Quality is irrelevant just the strap has to cost a decent proportion of what the watch is worth.

[watchmework]

I don't have any experience with either but there are quite a few reviews/comparisons on both, most recently in the "Reviews" section of TRF. I personally wouldn't want to go too cheap on a rubber strap and have it snap or break, putting me in the situation where I could damage or even worse lose the watch in the ocean for example.

[moesalty]

I have no experience with Rubber B, but I have two Everest straps and love them. Extremely comfortable and well made.

[Magwitch]

I have a couple of both Everest and Rubber B and I like them. I wish they were a tad longer though. The cost? Well, that's what you must pay to get a good fit, IMHO.

I kept my SubC on the bracelet but the Daytona C, AK, SD16600, and DSSD B are all on rubber straps. And the watches on the jubilee bracelets stay that way.

[aussiejoe]

[padi56]

Both Everest and Rubber B IMHO are well over-priced IMHO take the Rolex name association out of the equation they would be a third of the price.Personally just cannot see the point in rubber straps for watches that were designed for a SS bracelet.On one of my dive watches a Citizen Aqualand 11 has seen more underwater use and abuse in 5 years than most all Rolex watches of today will see in ten lifetimes.Yet that watch now is 17 years old still the same perfect rubber strap cost of the whole watch back in 2000 much less than a Rubber B or Everest would cost today.

[glenn_herwig]

For $40 these can't be beat. Go on amazon and search for Marathon watch band 20mm



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[Devildog]

Originally Posted by Watchymcwatchface

Good morning all,

I am looking at buying an after market watch strap and have considered the Rubber B and The Everest versions for my Rolex GMT Master II Ceramic.

What are every ones thoughts on the 2 bands. I feel like they are very expensive for what they are, do you agree?

What features do you look for in a rubber strap and what are the strengths and weaknesses of the rubber b and Everest straps in your opinion?

Any other thoughts on what to look for in a rubber watch strap? What sort of price do you think would be a fair one to pay for a top quality strap? What would make you buy / not buy one? Any special features?

Thanks

I'm only going to make three points here here:

1) Rubber b are very, very good and of exceptional quality. Fit, finish and longevity cannot be faulted IMO (with the exception of the SD4K strap which was a bugger to fit apparently)

2) I had two for my RG Daytona (on a strap) in which I had 100% trust No way i would risk some cheap crap on a $20,000+ watch. Or any higher value watch for that matter.

3) I've never tried Everest but from what I've seen I prefer the fit and finish of Rubber B. They are also better for smaller wrists.

[lopez784]

Go for the brand - You cannot go wrong with Rubber B. Worth every penny IMO.

[Leeq]

I've heard a lot of good things about Rubber B and some about Everest. I personally have friends who have went the Rubber B route and have not looked back. I know from afar they may look similar but once you feel the texture you will know why Rubber B is better - Everest is a bit more on the mushy side tbh.

[gabegd]

RUBBER B!!! I promise you you will not regret it. Check this bad boy out!

[chuckblocker]

Love rubber b myself. Had them on a pam112 and now on a daytona, replacing the leather strap.

I like how there's no flare. Everest appears bulky'er to me but that may just be from the pics, never seen one IRL.

[izamore3]

Not going to lie. Rubber B is more expensive but for good reason. The quality of their straps are unbeatable. Sure, Everest cost less and if you are on a budget go for it. IMO, Rubber B is worth the extra couple of bucks.

Let us know which one you choose.

[cammac1]

Call me an Everest hater IDC. This strap looks borderline like an airhead candy. I'm sure some people enjoy this brand but it's a big no no for me.

[The Joker]

What does the B stand for in Rubber B. Anyone know?

[Naples09]

Love my Everest on my GMTIIC. Despite the comments above - well worth the money for the summer months in Tampa. Much more comfortable than the Rolex bracelet. It's nice to have options.

[Runnin' Rebel]

Originally Posted by The Joker

What does the B stand for in Rubber B. Anyone know?

I'm going to take an fairly good uneducated guess a say it means Band, Rubber Band but B sounds more appropriate and less amateur in business language.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Watchymcwatchface

Good morning all,

I am looking at buying an after market watch strap and have considered the Rubber B and The Everest versions for my Rolex GMT Master II Ceramic.

What are every ones thoughts on the 2 bands. I feel like they are very expensive for what they are, do you agree?

What features do you look for in a rubber strap and what are the strengths and weaknesses of the rubber b and Everest straps in your opinion?

Any other thoughts on what to look for in a rubber watch strap? What sort of price do you think would be a fair one to pay for a top quality strap? What would make you buy / not buy one? Any special features?

Thanks

You could test the water with one of these. https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=548028

You might even find you don't need another.

28 quid including P&P.

[Star Ferry]

The price for Rubber B does seem high. At the AP boutique, a rubber strap for my diver cost $280 -- similar to what Rubber B charges for an aftermarket DSSD strap

[padi56]

Originally Posted by The Joker

What does the B stand for in Rubber B. Anyone know?

Brainwasher.

[Wcdhtwn]

I have a Rubber B. It's great... Very happy with it. Be aware the spring bars that attach the bracelet might be too thick and you'll have to acquire some slimmer ones. This happened to me withy GMT IIc. Luckily Houston has a watch place that sells Rubber B and they had the spring bars there and gave them to me. So if you have a Rubber B retailer near I'd go there and have them put the band on the first time just to be sure.


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[Magwitch]

I like the rubber strap alternatives. Comfortable, saves the bracelet, looks good.

People mod stuff all the time. Cars, etc. I see nothing inherently wrong with it.

[Watchymcwatchface]

Thanks, how do you feel about cutting the strap? I know with everest you dont have to

[carava501]

Originally Posted by Wcdhtwn

I have a Rubber B. It's great... Very happy with it. Be aware the spring bars that attach the bracelet might be too thick and you'll have to acquire some slimmer ones. This happened to me withy GMT IIc. Luckily Houston has a watch place that sells Rubber B and they had the spring bars there and gave them to me. So if you have a Rubber B retailer near I'd go there and have them put the band on the first time just to be sure.


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Love Rubber B, looks great!!

[luvan12]

Originally Posted by The Joker

What does the B stand for in Rubber B. Anyone know?

Probably BAND.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by padi56

Brainwasher.

[moorery2001]

I'm Rubber B all the way.

Check out my review on the strap: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=557093

[F308gt4]

Look at Bonetto Cinturini. Good quality straps, good reputation.

Only downside is that they smell like vanilla.

The Marathon straps mentioned above also have a great reputation. There is no need to spend $200 for a rubber strap. It really is a bit ridiculous.

Another option if you have a sub style watch is Isofrane. They are expensive also (~$150), but I think there are several similar style straps for less.