Watchlords

How do the lords feel about factory rubber straps on sports watches? For some watch brands, the price differences between a metal bracelet & rubber strap is in the ±$500 range....... and does a metal bracelet justify that five bills difference?

Have never worn a rubber strapped watch before and do not know what to expect for the on wrist feel nor longevity.
I typically prefer a hide strap over metal..... but thinking something rubber might change things up.

BTW- I find conjurers latest SMP on rubber absolutely stunning in pics and am hoping to see it tomorrow in person.

What says you folks.

I have a few rubber straps, they are okay. My bad ass Seiko Monster came with one and I wear it at times, as did a Pirelli I own. Have purchased a couple aftermarket and have used them once in a while. With an 8 inch wrist I sometimes opt for the non bracelet version simply because many of them are too short or barely fit with all the links. Extra long rubber or leather straps are much easier to find than extra bracelet links. I could be wrong but I'm guessing rubber might be a bad choice in high humidity areas, some here can probably tell you from experience.

I like comfortable rubber straps.

My Daytona came in a crocodile strap. I added the brown RubberB strap so I could swim, shower, snorkel, and generally wear the watch more robustly.







Btw- that's not a flaw or blemish on the the left side of the clasp, just a weird shadow.

The rubber strap on my Breitling is really, really, really nice.




I have a new Everest strap that I may put on my 16610. Shown here against the 5508.


I liked this watch, but not the strap. Now gone.



Beyond that, I have an original Tudor Hydronaut strap. It is sooooo comfortable. I wore it on my Tudor 76100 Submariner (I miss that watch). I save it as one day Mark or Conjurer will gift me their Hydronauts. So one must stay prepared.

They're not my first choice but there are many I like. I think they make sense in the summer. That Breitling strap had better be nice; they're expensive. I'm interested in feedback on that Barton QR rubber strap.

I used to be mostly interested in bracelets but now generally I prefer straps. Leather is soft and lush but doesn't suit sporty watches. Rubber is slightly less pampering, but grips the wrist and provides a near-perfect comfortable, secure fit. Definitely a 'like' from me.