Watchlords

I gather I'm not alone in the small-wristed watch world when I say I'm bugged (maybe way more than I should be) by the dog ear overhang as seen in the next two photos. This Watchuseek thread, for example, from 2017, where velvet396 wrote "Small wrists - hate almost ALL my straps."

And I know what he meant. I have to replace most leather/fabric etc. straps on most watches I buy because I'll get that strap overhang on almost any watch with a regular sized watch strap.





In that thread, and other threads like it, the most usual suggestion is a new, custom strap, or a short-size strap like those made by Fluco and others. Both of those are good, if pricey, options--but what about all the straps I already have that are too large. But what about all the straps I already have that are too large?

Can I save any of them? Can something else be done?

Well, for all but thicker padded straps and similar, the answer is yes, and yes. Something else can be done.

Most deployants don't help at all, but Ebay seller sectime sells a style of deployment I haven't seen elsewhere that works really well. Sectime's deployants of this style put the excess strap *under* the rest of the strap and against the wrist, instead of just leaving it hang over-long like most non-deployant straps.



Here's a shot of two watches, fitted...



...and two underside shots of the deployant in use:





I know it looks a bit bulky in the close-ups, but it's not near bulky as it appears, and the result is actually *very* comfortable, and easy to size to a perfect or near perfect fit, with as much tightness or looseness as one might desire. The clasp is good and secure.

And...



There are Omega, Tag and Breitling deployants that are also tongue-under style, but they're not inexpensive, and I didn't find other tongue-under deployants when I was looking. Add to this thread if you know of some.

I'll add, the last time the seller had none of the size I wanted at the time, I sent a note to him using Ebay's note to seller feature, and had a quick response (within a day) that he had more stock, and he put them back up quickly. Pretty fast shipping from UK, too.

Nice! May give these a try.

Super cool. Thanks for sharing Ron!

I have to heartily agree. I hate dog ears and why almost all my watches are on bracelets. I even cut the plastic straps on my Q-shock type casios to size. Those buckles are a nice alternative.

A few years ago I picked up a few deployment clasps in misc. sizes from Otto Frei - back when I didn’t mind going into the seedy parts of Oakland.

Wasn’t sure about them at first… but quickly installed all of them on various watches. It’s the way to go!

This is great info! Thank you for sharing!

Nice post...

Excellent. I've had that problem for years with straps

Thanks to all for your replies. I also found Omega style deployants that are somewhat different but look like they'd work well at keeping the tongue under and against the wrist, too--and not expensive. Any search for Omega style deployant will bring them up. I have one in rose gold coming for one of my tourbillons.

The way they work is good enough for Omega, so...