Swapping or upgrading your watch strap can dramatically change your timepiece’s look, comfort, and function. But with so many different types of watch straps to choose from, where do you start? To help you narrow down from our huge collection, we put together this guide to straps based on the type of watch you have.
This guide walks you through some of the most common watch types and the watch strap types that best suit them.
Choosing Watch Straps by Watch Type
1. Dress Watches & Vintage Watches
For formalwear, your strap should elevate your watch without drawing too much attention.
Best watch straps for dress & vintage watches:
- Simple tapered leather watch straps, like our Slim Crocodile Embossed Strap or Tapered Pebbled Leather Strap in black or brown are classic. Though you can always experiment with more colorful options like blue or red if you’re working with a plainer dial.
- Slim metal watch bracelets (like a Milanese mesh or vintage beads of rice) add elegance.
- For a vintage or “skin” diver, a classic tropical-style strap is an essential pairing.
- Avoid bulky straps—stick to minimal, tapered designs.
2. Dive Watches
Dive watches are built for underwater adventures, so it’s great to pair it with a strap that can handle the elements—though we’re no stranger to the longstanding leather on a diver debate.
Best watch straps for dive watches:
- Silicone watch straps and FKM rubber watch straps like our Double Textured Strap, are durable and waterproof, making them a perfect option to pair with a diver.
- A fitted rubber watch strap offers a seamless look with your watch, while a CTS strap allows you to get the perfect fit for your wrist.
- NATO straps are another waterproof, secure, and popular choice for divers.
- Sailcloth straps, especially ones with a rubber backing if you plan to take your watch in water, have become another top choice, gaining popularity among watch enthusiasts in recent years.
3. Field Watches
These rugged military-inspired watches demand straps that are functional and tough, yet that pair well with the classic and vintage-inspired aesthetic.
Best watch straps for field watches:
- A classic NATO watch strap is ideal—affordable, secure, comfortable, and easy to replace.
- Nylon watch straps and Sailcloth watch straps like our Sailcloth Explorer Strap pair perfectly with the military aesthetic and are well-suited for all weather conditions.
- Leather watch straps with stitching like our Vintage Padded Leather Band add some vintage charm are great for dressing your field watch up.
4. Pilot Watches
Pilot & Aviator watch straps are typically thick with distinctly tapered designs. They can also feature large rivets near the lugs, designed for durability and easy wear over flight suits.
Best watch straps for pilot watches:
- To keep to the unique and vintage aviator aesthetic, check out our classic collection here.
- For a modern take, consider a smooth FKM rubber watch strap or our standard Sailcloth Strap.
5. Chronographs & Racing Watches
Designed for motorsports, these watches often have bold dials and require some sporty and classic straps.
Best watch straps for chronographs:
- Perforated leather watch straps also known as rally straps are a top choice and perfect for a retro vibe.
- Sleek FKM rubber watch straps like our T-Line FKM Strap or a metal watch strap types like a flat link bracelet are perfect for a modern look—next step is just getting the car to go with it…
6. Heavy Duty Watches
Heavy-duty or oversized watches (Panerai, we’re looking at you) require a heavy-duty strap.
- No need for tapering now—these watches pair well with a bulky strap like our Heavy-Duty Sailcloth Strap or FKM Rubber Strap.
Watch Strap Sizing: Lug Width, Buckle Width, Strap Length & More
Before purchasing a new strap, it’s essential to ensure the right fit—both for your watch and your wrist.
Lug Width
This is the internal width between your watch lugs (the arms on either side of the case). It determines the width of the strap end that attaches to the watch. Common lug widths include 18mm, 20mm, and 22mm, but odd sizes are becoming more common as well.
Pro Tip: Use a caliper tool or millimeter ruler for accurate measurement.
Buckle Width
This is the width of the strap where it connects to the buckle. Most straps taper, meaning the buckle width is usually 2mm or 4mm narrower than the lug width (e.g., a 20mm lug → 18mm buckle).
We list both lug and buckle widths on product pages so you can easily match parts!
Quick-Release Spring Bars
Many modern straps, including most we offer, come with quick-release spring bars—small levers on the underside of the strap that let you swap bands without needing a spring bar tool. It’s the easiest way to switch up your look in seconds.
Clasps & Closures
Straps can also come with various closure types, including:
- Traditional buckles
- Deployant Clasps (Often mistaken as deployment clasps) which are typically found on metal bracelets but are popular choices for reducing wear on leather watch bands.
- Buckles and clasps come in multiple colors and are easily swappable, so it’s recommended to match it to your watch case color.
Strap Length & Wrist Size
When it comes to watch straps, size does matter, and strap length can be just as important as width. Most watch straps come in short, standard or long sizes. A proper fit means:
- The watch sits centered on your wrist.
- The tail of the strap doesn’t extend too far past the buckle.
- You’re not using the tightest or loosest hole.
Measure your wrist circumference (in millimeters) and compare it to the strap’s total length (usually listed as long piece + short piece). If your wrist is under 6.5″, consider a shorter strap; over 7.5″, consider a longer one.
TL;DR: Quick Watch Strap Guide
| Watch Types | Recommended Strap Types |
|---|---|
| Dress or Vintage Watch: | Tapered Leather strap or a Milanese bracelet |
| Dive Watch: | FKM rubber, NATO-style strap, or Sailcloth |
| Field Watch: | NATO-style strap, Sailcloth, or leather |
| Pilot Watch: | Classic unique design, rivets optional |
| Chronograph Watch: | Rally strap or FKM rubber |
Lug Width: Distance between the watch lugs. Match this to your strap width.
Buckle Width: Usually narrower than the lug width (e.g., 20mm lug → 18mm buckle).
Quick-Release: Many straps come with built-in levers so you can swap them easily—no tools needed.
Clasps: Choose from buckles or various deployant clasps. Match your buckle or clasp color to your watch case.
Strap Length: Measure your wrist. Standard straps fit most (6.5″–7.5″ wrists) but go shorter or longer as needed.
Pro Tip: Always measure in or convert to millimeters and check both lug and length sizing when ordering.
Whether you’re after rugged nylon watch straps, premium leather watch bands, or waterproof FKM rubber watch straps, we’ve got you covered with the best watch straps and selection in the game.
And if you still need help choosing the perfect strap, don’t hesitate to reach out for some recommendations!
