One watch, countless possible looks just by changing the strap

One of the main reasons our customers choose NorteSpring straps is that they want to give one of their watches a new look and are open to mixing and matching with non-branded straps.
Have you ever bought a watch, only to find a few years later that you no longer enjoy wearing it? Perhaps because you no longer identify with the colour of the strap, or the style of the watch, or maybe because you’d like a strap made from a different material? Well… that’s happened to me countless times.
I have a small collection of watches that has grown over the years. I bought my first watch when I was 18; now, at 33, I have several watches that I love, but which need a new look to suit my current lifestyle. For me, it’s never been a problem to mix and match different styles of straps with my watches, and from an early age I’ve sought out alternative straps to completely revamp my watches. Something I really enjoy is changing the strap and feeling like I’m wearing a ‘new’ watch – it’s a unique sensation.
In this article, I’ll share with you some tips on how to breathe new life into your watch simply by changing the strap.

How to completely change the look of your watch

I may be a bit biased, but in my opinion, swapping a watch strap for one with a completely different style is all you need to completely revamp your watch’s look, so you can fall in love with it all over again.

Choosing a new strap is a process that can be very simple if you can easily answer these three questions:

1 – What is the style of your watch?

If your watch has a distinctly classic style, with a thin genuine black leather strap, it wouldn’t make much sense to opt for a thick, sporty rubber strap. The watch has a classic style and, as such, the strap should match that style. You can, however, opt for a strap of a similar thickness in a different colour, but you should give preference to materials that match the watch’s predominant style. For example, if the original strap is metal, you could swap it for a genuine leather strap; or if the original strap is black genuine leather, you could swap it for a light brown strap, provided it matches the colours of the dial, or keep the strap black, but opt for one with stitching in a colour that contrasts with the black and at the same time matches the details of the watch face.

2 – Which strap material best suits your lifestyle and the style of the watch?

Genuine leather, stainless steel, silicone, rubber or nylon are some examples of the materials most commonly used in the manufacture of watch straps. Which is the best option for your watch and lifestyle?

If you do not intend to expose your watch to water and wish to replace a stainless steel strap, a genuine leather strap could be an excellent choice. The style of the leather strap can also vary; you can choose a smooth leather strap or one with a quilted crocodile-skin pattern.

The environment in which you will be wearing your watch is also very important when choosing a strap. If you intend to wear your watch at work and if you work in somewhat dirty environments, it is important to opt for straps that can be easily washed without causing wear and tear to the strap material. If this applies to you, the best option is to choose rubber or metal straps, which are easy to wash and highly durable.

3 – What are your personal preferences?

Once you’ve considered all the technical specifications involved in choosing a new strap (style, material and safety), the best option now comes down to your personal preferences. You can decide whether you prefer to match or contrast the colour of the strap with the colours of the dial, or simply add other colour and texture details by choosing a bolder strap for your watch.

It is important to maintain a balance between the size of the watch face and the thickness of the strap. For example, a thin strap will not look good on a Timberland watch, where the faces tend to be thicker; if your watch is heavy and thick, you should opt for more robust straps designed to support heavier watches, such as metal or rubber straps.

See some examples

To illustrate some of the options available to you for giving your watch a new look, here are a few suggestions for the same watch, featuring straps in different colours and materials. The most important thing when choosing a new strap for your watch is to prioritise your personal taste and the comfort of the watch on your wrist.

If you still have any doubts about the best strap for your watch, please send us an email or contact us by phone; we’d be delighted to share our advice to help you choose the best strap for your watch.