Aquanaut Rubber Strap Quality

[xbox]

I had the chance to finally try a Travel Time 5164A.

Absolutely gorgeous piece, but being the first time to handle an Aquanaut, I must say that the rubber strap was a little disappointing.

It just felt too hard and shinny, rather than soft, supple and matt finish, like the AP and Rubber B's.

I'm strongly resisting another Diver, but this is a setback for me

[Patton250]

Wow I get the exact opposite impression on the 5167. I think it's perfect and better then the rubber on my ROO.

[beachbum]

I have to disagree about the tropical strap on the 5167. I found it to be the most comfortable rubber strap of them all and I've pretty much had them all.

[xbox]

I didn't doubt its comfort, but it looks harder and more moulded that the others I referenced.

The AP Diver strap has a positivity organic look and feel in comparison.

[kneedeep]

I can't speak to the AP rubber straps but with the Aquanaut on the tropical strap, it is often hard to even feel I'm wearing a watch..

[xbox]

Originally Posted by kneedeep

I can't speak to the AP rubber straps but with the Aquanaut on the tropical strap, it is often hard to even feel I'm wearing a watch..

I have no doubt the watch is as comfortable, as it is beautiful

Simply, with a £24,000 price tag for the 5164, I find the rubber strap not on par.

May just be my "issue" with the strap

[mps354]

was it a new watch or pre-owned? im baffled, as both the 5167 i used to have and 5164 i current have came with very comfortable rubber (tropical) straps.

[xbox]

Originally Posted by mps354

was it a new watch or pre-owned? im baffled, as both the 5167 i used to have and 5164 i current have came with very comfortable rubber (tropical) straps.

New and fresh in.

Just wasn't what I expected it to be like.

[mps354]

Originally Posted by xbox

New and fresh in.

Just wasn't what I expected it to be like.

Interesting, hadn't heard that

[Flex368]

The Aquanaut tropical strap is extremely comfortable and it gets softer after a few days of wear. When I bought my green strap last year and had it fitted I was surprised that it felt very rigid compared to my black one.

Give it a few days and you´ll be fine.

[lapince]

Hard and shiny????

Wow, I have a 5167R, and on the contrary it is very soft and matt, even if mine is the brown tropical and not black but I saw on the 5164 and for me it is exactly the same but another color, quite amazing, exactly the opposite as far as I am concerned

Originally Posted by Patton250

Wow I get the exact opposite impression on the 5167. I think it's perfect and better then the rubber on my ROO.

Same here, I have the diver and the AP rubber is nice but in terms of softness is much "harder" than the Aquanaut...

Originally Posted by xbox

I didn't doubt its comfort, but it looks harder and more moulded that the others I referenced.

The AP Diver strap has a positivity organic look and feel in comparison.

Are you sure the Aquanaut you saw had the original strap and not from another brand? As I have the AP diver, and while the rubber strap is nice, the PP is just so much softer and on the contrary looks and feels much more organic than the AP. Quite amazing that you felt that way, as having both the AP and PP rubber I can guarantee you the PP is exactly the contrary to what your impression was...

[Passionata]

May the OP wants to entertain us with pics I wouldn t be fully surprised if we have just another white Nautilus case again.

[xbox]

Originally Posted by Passionata

May the OP wants to entertain us with pics I wouldn t be fully surprised if we have just another white Nautilus case again.

I viewed the piece in Wempe Bond Street.

Due to my reservations I didn't purchase, so card stayed in my wallet, phone stayed in my pocket.

Will try and find another one to handle.

[xbox]

Originally Posted by lapince

Hard and shiny????

Maybe this has something to do with more silicon content in the PP.

Shiny was a poor choice of adjective, but to my eyes it definitely has a satin finish, like this:



Are you guys saying that after some wear it'll turn more matt?

AP strap looks 100% matt to me:

[HorologyK]

Rubbish !

[subtona]

Patek's composite strap is a masterpiece.

The buckle not so much, I found it too bulky and less than optimally secure.

Modern AP rubber straps are equally amazing and come with a comfortable nicely made buckle.

Panerai also makes quality rubber straps/ buckle system.


Two concerns I found more significant among other rubber/composite/ synthetic straps.

1) many will develop an unpleasant odor rather quickly, none of the above have that issue.

2) the buckle or fastener may not be as secure or streamlined as it could be.

[yoast]

I for one actually agree with the op. I owned an aquanaut and didn't find it comfortable at all.
The buckle is way to thick and bulky and the strap cannot be adjusted. I had a well worn strap and bought a new one too. The worn strap was cut just a tad too tight (but would be ok in winter) and the new strap sides cut a bit into my wrist, even when wearing it a tad more loose, making it quite uncomfortable. It also smelled awful, like old tires (that would make sense as they are both rubber, but I just didn't like the smell) I was watching a movie with my girlfriend and she complained about the smell - it was that strong.

In the same time I owned this watch, I went on holiday to a tropical country and the heat made wearing it unbearable. I couldn't cut the strap as I had no tools and didn't want to leave it in my hotel room for obvious reasons, so I walked around with a strangled wrist for 2 weeks.
I sold the watch within a few days of returning home. Also because I was really underwhelmed with it in general.

[nakedtoes]

Originally Posted by yoast

I for one actually agree with the op. I owned an aquanaut and didn't find it comfortable at all.
The buckle is way to thick and bulky and the strap cannot be adjusted. I had a well worn strap and bought a new one too. The worn strap was cut just a tad too tight (but would be ok in winter) and the new strap sides cut a bit into my wrist, even when wearing it a tad more loose, making it quite uncomfortable. It also smelled awful, like old tires (that would make sense as they are both rubber, but I just didn't like the smell) I was watching a movie with my girlfriend and she complained about the smell - it was that strong.

In the same time I owned this watch, I went on holiday to a tropical country and the heat made wearing it unbearable. I couldn't cut the strap as I had no tools and didn't want to leave it in my hotel room for obvious reasons, so I walked around with a strangled wrist for 2 weeks.
I sold the watch within a few days of returning home. Also because I was really underwhelmed with it in general.

change to metal bracelet solve all the problem..

[yoast]

Originally Posted by nakedtoes

change to metal bracelet solve all the problem..

I would if it wasn't so ugly. Also, I believe that it doesn't have micro adjustment either.

[jenniferjanef]

Originally Posted by xbox

I had the chance to finally try a Travel Time 5164A.

Absolutely gorgeous piece, but being the first time to handle an Aquanaut, I must say that the rubber strap was a little disappointing.

It just felt too hard and shinny, rather than soft, supple and matt finish, like the AP and Rubber B's.

I'm strongly resisting another Diver, but this is a setback for me

From my experiences,
AP's black rubber straps are much harder than the colored ones.
RubberB those all black rubber are hard too.

[HorologyK]

The strap for me was comfortable, but looked very worn and dated after six months of normal wear. It became very worn down in some areas compared to others and when exposed to salt water, I had to scrub it hard to get rid of the salt left behind on the underside. Nothing beats the Nautilus or Rolex bracelets in my opinion. Take care of those and they will look new and last a long time. Mine have.

[xbox]

Originally Posted by yoast

I would if it wasn't so ugly. Also, I believe that it doesn't have micro adjustment either.

True - only bracelets I've come across with micro-adjustement are Rolex and JLC.

Nothing worse than a bracelet that you cant size correctly and even if you do, summer/winter temperature variation usually throws it