Why are so many WIS down on rubber straps ?

[Burlington]

I must say I’ve never understood why people find a watch priced above a certain level ‘too much for a watch on a rubber strap.’

The material cost or value isn’t higher for a few links of stainless steel or even the best exotic leather straps.

Obviously it’s a different discussion about a watch being made of steel over a certain price point as then you’re paying for finishing and to a degree the brand markup which are less tangible than the weight of gold or platinum.

I find it such an incredible material for a strap - looks great, feels superb no matter the weather, piece of cake to clean, and longevity compared to leather is no contest. Also it doesn’t really get scratched or scratch other things.

I see a lot of emotion on here about rubber straps - especially on a Rolex, so am very curious to hear more from people why that’s the case ?

[superdog]

I like rubber.

[liu_watch]

Maybe because historically rubber straps had been used for less expensive sports watches such as Seiko divers...
Most higher priced watches were on either bracelet or leather strap. Putting rubber straps on “luxury” sports watches is a recent trend.

[THC]

Only my opinion, but you asked... the watch outside the box of Seth’s pic is about the same price as his Day Date and to me, Solid Gold trumps all rubber products when paying that price

[pickettt]

I like rubber straps on the right watch BUT (It’s amusing, I guess:) I’ll pay $10k for a watch, but can’t bring myself to pay $250 for a rubber strap that I like.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by THC

Only my opinion, but you asked... the watch outside the box of Seth’s pic is about the same price as his Day Date and to me, Solid Gold trumps all rubber products when paying that price

No way in Hell I'm putting any kind of strap on this! That would be blasphemy

[FTX I]

I think rubber straps go well with less expensive watches, but that's just me.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

No way in Hell I'm putting any kind of strap on this! That would be blasphemy

Ha. I think it would be perfect on rubber!!!

[Blansky]

I like some on rubber and the Rubber B color accent ones look good on some watches.

Love the look of some black and gold watches on black rubber as well.

As for leather, living all my life in the west, I never realized what humidity was like until I visited NY in August and was soaked 5 times a day and needed a shower every hour. Leather straps would not work well in this scenario.

[GradyPhilpott]

I'm not fond of rubber straps, but it has more to do with their comfort or lack thereof.

The Oysterflex bracelet feels much better, but I've only tried one at the AD, so I can't speak to other circumstances.

My preference is for a solid-link, steel bracelet, followed by leather, but only in a dry climate like the high desert.

[brandrea]

I like them for a change up during the summer, but I much prefer factory bracelets

[dba]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

No way in Hell I'm putting any kind of strap on this! That would be blasphemy

I think that's a straight "Go to Hell" card. Personally, I think the watches look best on the bracelet that was attached to it at the factory.

But that's just me, I've been wrong before.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by dba

I think that's a straight "Go to Hell" card. Personally, I think the watches look best on the bracelet that was attached to it at the factory.

But that's just me, I've been wrong before.

No wrong answer here.

Beauty and comfort depend on the person looking and wearing.

[Daryl]

Originally Posted by superdog

I like rubber.

love them all!

[037]

People mock what they don't understand. While I'm sure some have tried watches on rubber and genuinely didn't like them, a Daytona or Yacht-Master on Oysterflex is in my experience surprisingly comfortable when sized correctly. They also offer a vastly different appearance not offered in a metal bracelet.

I've had a dozen Rolex models on bracelets and am glad to have an alternative. Choice is good.

[greggsiam]

I think they look too plasticky/cheap, and feels strange on my wrist. Maybe I am wrong and lack taste, but it's just how I feel.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Daryl

love them all!

Thank you. Me too.

I actually looked into putting the DD40 on rubber. But I figured that would just be going too far.

[beshannon]

I do not find them comfortable

And I agree with a 5 figure watch, the rubber strap should be an accessory not the primary means of wearing the watch. I passed on a Patek Aquanaut for this very reason.

[encarter13]

Bracelet, NATO, Rubber...I like most all of the options out there.

[joerivers1961]

Seth, I spot a buddy in that box The whole rubber strap argument is almost identical as calling a Picasso cheap because its painted on inexpensive canvas and not stainless steel or gold

Originally Posted by superdog

I like rubber.

[Cru Jones]

As long as you’re having fun and enjoying your watch, there is no wrong answer.

To me, that’s a more enjoyable approach than self-prescribed rules/“do’s and don’ts”.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

As long as you’re having fun and enjoying your watch, there is no wrong answer.

To me, that’s a more enjoyable approach than self-prescribed rules/“do’s and don’ts”.

Brilliant.

[AK797]

I wouldn't replace a gold bracelet with a rubber strap, but I'm more than fine with wearing a rubber strap OEM with a gold watch, and I swap out straps on SS bracelets all the time, just put a white camo on my D500, looked good for a second but ended the day switching back to the bracelet.

Seth that is an ace rubber collection, glad the DD observes the rules I laid out above.

[Burlington]

Originally Posted by superdog

I like rubber.

Truly love this collection !

[Burlington]

Originally Posted by Blansky

I like some on rubber and the Rubber B color accent ones look good on some watches.

Love the look of some black and gold watches on black rubber as well.

As for leather, living all my life in the west, I never realized what humidity was like until I visited NY in August and was soaked 5 times a day and needed a shower every hour. Leather straps would not work well in this scenario.

I pretty much halved the lifespan of a lovely gator strap on a three week holiday to Florida. Humidity is a leather band killer no doubt.

[Burlington]

Originally Posted by dba

I think that's a straight "Go to Hell" card. Personally, I think the watches look best on the bracelet that was attached to it at the factory.



But that's just me, I've been wrong before.

Originally Posted by greggsiam

I think they look too plasticky/cheap, and feels strange on my wrist. Maybe I am wrong and lack taste, but it's just how I feel.

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

No way in Hell I'm putting any kind of strap on this! That would be blasphemy

Originally Posted by beshannon

I do not find them comfortable

And I agree with a 5 figure watch, the rubber strap should be an accessory not the primary means of wearing the watch. I passed on a Patek Aquanaut for this very reason.

Thanks for sharing thoughts !

I think it’s probably me who is in the minority based on what I’ve read over the last couple of years on TRF.

Nice to have such a wide selection of choices available - both OEM & aftermarket as there is something for all wrists then.

[tie219]

Definitely depends on the watch. Seth's watches look great on rubber but I agree that a YG Sub on rubber wouldn't.

[synequano]

I live in the tropics and i do sweat a lot so my leather strap will turn smelly pretty fast,on most days I prefer rubber straps...hence my affinity to Panerai watches..I like their oem strap,but have never bought rubberB or some other fancy rubber straps

[Marlboro.]

I don't know, I just think rubber feels rather cheap. On a sports watch I much prefer a steel bracelet. Rubber on a PM watch is a bit of an oxymoron to me.

[Gladiat0r]

I thought I wouldn’t like it but I really do find myself attracted to the WG Daytona on rubber and the PM YMs on rubber as well. Even the nautilus (as we see above) and AP RO look really nice on rubber. For some reason I find the contrast of PM with black rubber and the ease of wearing it to be a very cool effect.