Rubber Straps

Rubber watch straps: which material

Three materials travel under the word “rubber”, and they are not equal. Silicone is the cheapest: it feels slightly tacky, holds dust and loses shape within months. Natural rubber hardens and cracks under UV. FKM, a fluoroelastomer, keeps its suppleness and colour season after season and shrugs off seawater, perspiration and sun creams. It is the elastomer used for watch gaskets.

Against straps sold with no stated material, we give the composition on every product page. That is what separates a strap that lasts from one you replace twice a year.

Choosing the lug width

Lug width is measured between the case lugs, with the strap removed. The 20mm rubber watch strap covers most classic-sized watches, divers included. The 22mm rubber watch strap fits large diameters and chronographs. Beyond that, very large Panerai-type cases call for 24mm.

If in doubt, our guide to choosing a watch strap explains how to measure and lists the usual matches.

Pin buckle or deployment clasp

A pin buckle stays the simplest solution and the slimmest under a cuff. A deployment clasp opens in one move, spreads the pressure and saves the punched end of the strap: on rubber worn daily, it noticeably extends the life of the strap. Remember that a buckle is always one size down from the strap — 18mm on a 20mm strap, 20mm on a 22mm.

Our rubber ranges

The Tropic type in FKM revives the basket weave of the 1960s, in 20mm and 22mm, in Classic or perforated Sport form.

From Hirsch, made in Austria, the Hirsch Pure black rubber strap 20mm plays pure restraint, while the Hirsch Robby perforated leather with rubber core 22mm and the Hirsch Ayrton carbon leather and rubber 20mm take a sporting line. The Hirsch George Toscana leather and rubber 22mm keeps leather on top and rubber against the wrist, for those who want water resistance without giving up leather.

From Arezzo, made in Italy, the Monaco microperforated strap 20mm and the Racing strap with red stitching 22mm bring the rally and regatta spirit.

Which watches

Rubber belongs on diving watches, regatta chronographs and anything worn outdoors. It suits steel cases as readily as PVD finishes, and remains the only material genuinely at ease at sea. For a military or vintage look in fabric, see our 20mm NATO straps and 22mm NATO straps instead.

Fitting takes two minutes, with no trip to a watchmaker: our video guide to removing a watch strap shows the move on several attachment types.