Oct
New DubStraps — I like that zig-zag “Rockaway” one.
Oct
Just got an inexpensive Timex watch with a nylon strap. I'm not nuts about the color of the strap and would like to get a few, in different colors/patterns, to have around in case I feel like switching them out. I know Brooks Brothers has a few of these, but wondered if you had any other suggestions.
Better check your strap width first. Odds are good that it’s 18mm, but it could also be 16mm, 20mm or larger. Get a metric ruler and find out.
Then hit up eBay or just google search for NATO straps. Those seem to be the straps of choice these days. I’ve heard that American Eagle has quite a few 18mm ones super cheap once in a while, and J.Crew often puts theirs on sale, too. All comes down to how much you want to spend.
The Brooks Brothers straps (I have a few) are actually 16mm. Fortunately, I have two watches with that width to use them. You might not be so lucky.
Sep
I like the term "respectable, but unremarkable, watch" to refer to a freakin' Rolex. "Oh, this? Ugh. I mean, it's just some Rolex. Probably found it on the street. Can't even remember. *sigh* But you gotta do what you gotta do on the grind. Oh, and excuse these awful shoes. I only throw on my John Lobbs when it's raining out."
Hard out there for a blogger.
But, yeah, I thought about that, too, when I read that line about the Rolex.
Aug
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King Precision (c. 1966) — I love the simplicity of the case and face on this watch. No date, no military sub look. Just something clean. Now, if only I had $3,600 to spend…
Jul
It would appear thisfits and I are wearing the same shirt. And both going with yellow-stripe watch straps.
Jun
On sale: American Eagle NATO straps — You probably won’t see me saying this too often here, but head over to American Eagle’s site to pick up some NATO straps for $5-7 each. Plus, if you use code 89427721 you can get free shipping and an extra 20-percent off, too.
Colors available: red, pink/red multistripe, pink/navy, orange/navy and grey/purple.
Thanks to James S. for the tip.
Jun
Post updated: Visit DubStraps.com to order one… Thanks, James, for launching the website so all of us can have an easier method to order these bad boys!
This is pretty neat. Too bad it’s not actually denim and would fade over time. Still, the price is certainly right for a NATO strap: $15, shipped.
May
Thanks for your answer! It sure helped a lot. I have another watch band related question. How do you feel about crocodile or alligator bands? I feel as if it's a bit showy but I've never actually seen them worn on a person. Thanks again =)
I don’t wear leather bands. They never seem to fit my wrist right (scrawny/bony wrists) and I’m not a fan of how they make me sweat during the summer.
That said, I think croc/alligator leather is interesting for the texture, but I just prefer a smooth texture. Some people love it. Others aren’t a fan. I can see both sides. If you like it, then get it.
I will say this though: it would be pretty cool if you went all croc on all your leathers (minus the shoes); belt, watchband, wallet.
May
First of all, you have an awesome blog. I would like to ask whether you know of any place where I can purchase leather watch bands? Thanks!
Thanks. Glad you find the blog interesting.
As for watch straps, they’re all over the Internet. I’ve dealt with eBay sellers, but there are other standalone sites, too.
For eBay: Times of Plenty and Squinky have leather straps. You can also search eBay (and don’t forget to search internationally, too) for what you want. If you want to get really crazy, then maybe search around for some shell cordovan leather watch straps.
As for standalone sites, Central Watch and Gnomon Watches have a decent reputation among others, but I haven’t dealt with them personally.
J.Crew has a leather NATO strap and Brooks Brothers has some straps, too, that will be on sale tomorrow.
Hope you can find something among all those. Just make sure to get your band width size correct!
Feb
Timekeeping: My watches
In my prior post, girouxmcisaak asked a question about the watch I was wearing, so I thought it’d be as good a time as any to throw up some photos of my watches. No, I don’t roll with a Rolex, but I like the timepieces I’ve got and they each serve their purpose.
This is Bulova is the blue-faced one featured yesterday. I found it on eBay and instantly dug the blue face and also how small it was. It fits perfectly with what I wear most days, given that I wear a lot of navy, red and white. It’s lightweight and goes well with the 16mm bands I picked up at Brooks Brothers. The watch’s diameter is also very small, which works well for me. I have a very skinny wrist circumference (6.25”), so larger watches look really odd on my wrist and tend to bother me. It’s also a manual wind. My one gripe is that it’s about 5 minutes fast every 12 hours. I would get it taken in, but it’s not that important to me at the moment.
This Marathon field watch was a gift from my roommate over the holidays and I’m a fan. It’s a manual wind, has tritium vials on the hours and hands that glow in the dark (and also gives the watch that cool radiation sign) and is super lightweight. The band width on it is 16mm, so you can’t wear it with a NATO strap, but I’ve replaced the standard black band with one from Brooks Brothers. While it’s thickness is quite larger than I’d expected it to be, it’s super lightweight and you barely notice you’re wearing it. The pins the band goes through are built in and non-removable, so it’s a lot more secure on your wrist. While the casing feels like a lightweight polymer, it also feels incredibly tough. I don’t wear this to work, but I do wear it out casually and often pick it for when I’m going out at night or to a place with no lighting (theaters, mainly). If you want to pick one up, Marathon sells them online for $150. I just like how this field watch sets itself apart from a lot of the Timex campers and doesn’t have the date display. I also think it’s my most reliable and accurate watch I currently own.
This Hamilton Illinois watch is beat up. I got it for a few bucks off of craigslist, yet it’s incredibly accurate and feels solid on my wrist. I wear it when I am going to be doing something where I wouldn’t want my nicer watches dinged. It’s also a manual wind. I’m a fan of manual watches just because I never have to replace their batteries and just the act of winding them is sort of a fun act. I threw this on the only NATO strap I own. Most NATO straps I’ve bought don’t fit my skinny wrist. This one just happens to work being on the second-to-last hole.
This Seiko automatic is my dress watch. I found it on eBay and it came with a cheap leather band that I took off and replaced with an Italian-made new-old-stock navy woven nylon band I also found on eBay. I think it looks better than a black leather strap, matches my suits well and the nylon just breathes better on my wrist. Plus, that woven texture is nice, too. As for the watch, I like its simple face and it feels solid. I wanted to buy a nice Seiko, simply because it was Japanese made.
This Wenger Swiss-Army watch was a gift to me from my parents back in middle school, so I’ve had it for a very long time. I had to have it serviced once, but it’s still working quite well. It’s got some scratches, but I know I put them there wearing it almost non-stop for 10 years until I lost it in a move after grad school. I found it about a year ago when I was going through some boxes that I’d never unpacked. Total surprise find and it was great knowing I hadn’t lost it forever. I’m not typically a fan of metal bands, but this one has been all right and I wear it in more casual situations now.
Feb
J.Crew has free shipping on all their watch straps right now (and their overpriced Timex) and I’m thinking about picking up a few.
Has anyone had any experience with the leather NATO straps at J.Crew? Are they thin enough to slip through “skinnier” widths between the pins and bezel?
Jan
WWII Seikosha military watch — It’s been serviced and the strap is new, but the original casing seems to be intact. Even if I could afford it, I don’t think I could bring myself to wear it out of fear of damaging it. What a great piece.
I’ve been obsessing a bit over watches at my personal blog.
(via cubicleparty)
Jan
In response to your watch band post; I bought some watch bands from Central Watch in the 5 for 30 deal. They are all very nice bands especially for the price. You will need to adjust the length to suit your wrist, but other than that they are a helluva steal.
Good to know, anon. Thanks for the info!
Jan
Where to buy 16mm watch bands & straps
Recently, I got two new watches that had narrower watch-strap widths at 16mm. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to find very many of the much-loved NATO straps in that width. Don’t fret, as I found quite a few colorful alternatives.
Brooks Brothers: $14.50 — I actually went with quite a few of these, snagging them on sale. The metal holes are a nice touch and seem like they’ll last a bit longer. The buckle doesn’t feel crappy, either. Also, if you have a really skinny wrist like I do, these fit quite well and have a few holes left even.
J.Press: $12 — Lots of options here and they’re a bit cheaper, too.
Central Watch: 5 for $29.95 — Even more options and quite a deal for the price, although I’ve heard the quality isn’t quite as high as those high-end (expensive) NATO straps.
Canvas strap: $10.99 (shipped from Hong Kong) — I don’t know much about this dealer on eBay, but I did buy two straps from him and they seem rather durable. They’re not as lightweight and flexible as the nylon straps, but the material seems tougher and definitely is a different look. FYI: you can ask him to combine shipping if you buy more than one band.
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