Types of strap available -
Straps
Typically made of leather or nylon webbing,
Leather, the original and undateable. Tradition says your first luxury watch should be a leather strap. Fairly hard wearing, and suits all kinds of outfits from business suit to causal jeans. Not a fan of any contact with water, however. Higher quality leather such as crocodile or soft cordovan is deemed more preferable. There is every type of leather, from padded to grained, naturally tanned, smooth or treated.
These treatments or styles of leather alter the look of your watch, for example its is widely agreed that the ridged leather strap can add a sporty look to your timepiece. The same goes for contrast stitching, which almost always equals much more casual.
Rubber, nylon Webbing or traditional style of fabrics, these are considered quite preppy, or military looking, and give a watch a much less formal feel. NATO straps have become increasing popular, particularly as a second strap choice. The name, of course, comes from the British military being issued them by the Ministry of Defence in 1973. Made to be longer, and doubling underneath itself.
Canvas ‘ribbon’ straps are usually backed with leather for more structure.
Rubber seen as a fun, casual option for most watches, and being a great option for divers and those who spend time in water. They can irritate or cause chaffing however. Often now rubber straps are actually not rubber, but silicone, which is much more pliable and flexible. Plus these are now seen as a much better option in higher climates, easier to wear in humidity than leather.
Bracelets
Ranging from base metals to pure metals like gold, platinum, and rhodium. These are now the most common type of wrist fastening used on watches and can be found on just about every brand from the high street watch to the ultimate in luxury.
The biggest benefit for metal bracelets it usually uses the link system and this allows it to be easily resized up or down for any wrist. The can be embellished with gems such as diamonds, and are usually hallmarked and stamped with brands/logos.
Metal can be plated, polished, untreated, or coated. Its usually advised to avoid gold plating, the gold can wear off with time and makes your timepiece less likely to be handed down as a heirloom. Experts prefer to stick to raw metals, stainless steel, titanium with last a long time with natural cluster, sold gold and platinum will age beautifully with scratches being slight and of character rather than age.
Allergies are an issue with metals. Not many brands now use anything nickel based, but allergies to gold itself, or the coatings of some steels, are not unheard of.
Ceramic is still a relative newcomer on the bracelet market, but is ideal for everyone really. Made of Ceramic Carbide, a man made product and not the ceramic found in pottery or stoneware. Its exceptionally durable and almost impossible to scratch. It is also completely hypoallergenic.
