Excellent video Josh. I knew FKM from long before they came up with using it for watch straps. We design and build process equipment for the food, chemical and other industries and often we will use FKM diaphragms in air operated fluid pump systems. FKM diaphragms can flex under huge pressure thousands of times per hour for years on end. So you can be sure your strap is going to last for many years into the future too.
Terrific video Josh, and absolutely love the research and explanation of FKM. Maybe you can do more learning videos. I'm definitely going to take a look at the companies you mentioned. Thank you again for your very informative episode 👏 👍
I have experience with StrapsCo and Strap Seeker and like you said, the quality is the same. I’ll stick with saying FKM since I already forgot what it stands for. 😂
Great video. I just ordered a couple of straps from Strap Habit. Vaer also makes a FKM tropical strap but only offer it in 20mm and black but it is really good quality. I di wish that Bartons would start using FKM in their Elite line of straps.
Juelong on AliExpress sells exactly those straps for 8-12 bucks, at your home in 10 days. I am almost 100% sure they are exactly the same straps. Those brands are probably just selling them at a huge profit. It would be interesting to see a comparison side by side video.
I have an FKM strap on one of dive watches and vulcanized rubber on another. I like them both for different reasons. I will say that an FKM strap is a more comfortable wear.
@@TheTownWatch In my opinion, you can't go wrong with either one. A shout out to Average Joe, he knows that I have sailcloth on three of my other watches. Frankly Artem is the best and I love mine.
@@TheTownWatch Just silicone I think .They do claim to be "Soft as a babies bottom" and makes my hefty Orient MForce feel light as a feather .Maybe a side by side comparison would make a good video ?
@@TheTownWatch They have number of different options, including silicon, TPU, D80 rubber and leather hybrid, and silicon and canvas hybrid. I have a TPU strap and an elite silicon strap, and they are both good options that feel similar on my wrist to the FKM strap I have from Long Island Watch.
The WatchGecko straps that use the HNBR rubber made In Italy under contract by Bonetto Cinturini are also really nice. I have a couple of those. Expensive though. They feel similar to the caoutchouc natural rubber that Breitling uses on their divers, or at least used to use when I owned one (a SuperOcean from about 10 years ago).
Once locked in, Is there a lot of wiggle with FKM straps and the spring bars? This video is FKM. Fukin Killer MOD. Amazing breakdown here, Josh. Learned so much. 👊🏻
I think an FKM strap will probably last you the rest of your life. The only thing that might go is the spring bars, but they're easily replaceable. I have an FKM black waffle strap on my Captain Willard and it really is almost indestructible. Thanks for the video!
FKM is a great material.. only toped on the Rubbery side of life from vulcaniced natural rubber (wich is expensive as hell). Its sometimes realy hard to find good rubber straps, because a lot of companies or seller dont delcare the rubber correct.. and i personaly hate silicone. i mean silicone is flexible, wears great, looks nice, but the lint man, the lint. what also can happen is, that a company change the supplier or the rubber material. i bougth one a realy nice Seiko style waffle strap. nice, flexible, a typical higher end FKM rubber strap. because i like it, i bought another one for a smaler watch.. it was silicone and matt and a lint magnet. for buying Rubber strap: never trust a Product shot or a product description. i have stoped to buy Rubber straps, because its just cambling. there is only one type of product with more lies in the watchstrap world: leather.
@@noobfl If you are after the "Waffle" Seiko stlyled strap, I can 100% recommend Juelong on AliExpress. Costs 8 bucks, made of FKM, doesn't pick up dust nor lint at all. No joke.
Great vid. I actually have the Ali versions and love them, for a fraction of the cost and they're essentially the same. Unless you're going to wear the same one for years, then maybe I'd pay more. Delivery times are a gamble but, like $12 usd, in can live with that.
They are indeed exactly the same, produced in the same factory. These sellers are basically ripping their customers off hard, no other way to put it. They buy them in bulk even cheaper and resell them for 5-8 times as much.
@@lk754 This is something to consider for sure! I guess buying from a US based strap company you get quicker (more reliable) shipping and better customer service.
@@TheTownWatch There's no doubt about that. But FKM from Ali reaches EU in 3-4 weeks easily, should be about the same for US, and they are roughly 10 USD a piece. You could pretty much buy 4 or 5 of them for the price of a single strap purchased from US store. And again, they are exactly the same, produced in the same factory. As far as customer support is concerned, these are bulletproof, don't think much assistance is needed. To each their own of course, keep up the good work. :)
Got a few FKM rubber straps and they are awesome, have one on my 7002 currently and it is so comfortable to wear and they aren't that expensive if you know where to buy them from. Great job on the video mate
@@WesWatchRoom 👍Some of the ones on there seem like the exact same styles as from these other companies. Seems like these companies source them from the same places in China most likely.
Yeah the WatchGecko HNBR ones are made In Italy under contract by Bonetto Cinturini are also very nice. They also have a nice vanilla scent too. HNBR stands for hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber.
Great video thanks man. I bought 3 fkm straps from Ali express that Peter kotsa recommended and they look exactly like all of these except they are 8$ each. But China gets a lot of our custom these days so maybe go with homegrown companies 💪
Wait a minute here, so all these new multi-colored straps I'm seeing all over the different shopping sites are being incorrectly advertised as "silicone"? (are actually FKM? they sure look so much like the examples you provided in your video, albeit from different makers (but like what you said they all seem to be the same)
FKM ..What does it really mean in hidden terms: I'd say from the chemical composition: F-uh-K-eM : meaning, its it going to cause cancer or other long term disease, it's the customers problem. But hey, thats just a drop in the bucket of poisons that we are all exposed to. I'm no big worrier of these things, but it sure came to mind. I personally prefer stainless steel bracelets on my watches, but I'm not aware of the effects of that on the wrist. Anyway, good job on the video, but the introduction was corny if not annoying.
I retract my harsh comments. I'm going to get the vented slot design from Strapsco or Strap habit for my Seiko Arnie Pepsi: Black( maybe) , red or blue , more likely! 😊
Good question, I am really not sure. I wonder if you can find any information about the actual rubber that is being used by those you mentioned. Thanks for watching!
@@TheTownWatch Can you take a trip to your local AD and put hands on some swiss rubber found on the Omega and report back to us. Swiss rubber vs fkm rubber?
@@TheTownWatch Thanks that would be cool to see you jump up the price bracket a bit. Everest vs Rubber B vs Tropic vs Zulande vs Swatch Group Rubber ect...
@@u.u.u9969 I would love to try all those out! If the companies would send in a sample I would definitely do a video on them but I don't think they're willing to do that for a channel like mine.
@@deanwaller8283 I would say, with normal wear on a daily basis these could last you 15 years plus, I mean FKM material is used for gaskets and such which are many times exposed to pressure and high temperatures.
@@deanwaller8283 That would be just a guess, but I encourage you to do your own research on FKM as a material in general and also try out a watch strap made of it to see for yourself what you think. Use any of my links in the description of this video...😁
@@TheTownWatch hirsch is a german watchstrap maker. they are considered as higher end. Hirsch is well known for their dressy leather straps and their more tooly rubber straps. here in germany, probably their most well known line is the performance line. those are rubber straps with a leather upper. BUT.. i personaly think, the performance straps are overhyped. there are a lot (and i meen a lot) of unsadisfied costumers, for wich the leather uppers get broken of.
Excellent video Josh. I knew FKM from long before they came up with using it for watch straps. We design and build process equipment for the food, chemical and other industries and often we will use FKM diaphragms in air operated fluid pump systems. FKM diaphragms can flex under huge pressure thousands of times per hour for years on end. So you can be sure your strap is going to last for many years into the future too.
Thanks for watching Brian! Sounds like I should have had you in this video for an interview! FKM seems like an amazing material!
@@TheTownWatch Lol. I'm not sure it's a good idea. I do have a face suitable for radio though! 🤣
Terrific video Josh, and absolutely love the research and explanation of FKM. Maybe you can do more learning videos. I'm definitely going to take a look at the companies you mentioned. Thank you again for your very informative episode 👏 👍
Thanks for watching Felo, appreciate your support!
I thought it sayed terrible video for a sec
Great video. thanks for introducing me to some new brands. I will definitely be checking them out.
Thanks for watching! Hope you pick some up, FKM straps are awesome!
Wow, thats alot of straps, just put my Seiko on a navy blue FKM and I'm loving it.
What brand did you go with? I'm loving this FKM material!
@@TheTownWatch Hmm, from my local market guy, they're pretty generic, but only a tenner, I'll post it on IG
Love fkm straps so comfortable and hard wearing .
Amen! Thanks for watching!
This material is so great!
Just ordered several, hope they are worth the hype 😀
I have experience with StrapsCo and Strap Seeker and like you said, the quality is the same. I’ll stick with saying FKM since I already forgot what it stands for. 😂
😅C'mon say it 10x's fast . . . FLUOROELASTOMER . . . 😂 Thanks for watching pal!
If anyone watching has a line on quality extra long tropical straps please let me know. Another great review, my man.
Thanks for watching Alton! Hope you can find what you're looking for!
Great deep dive into these types of straps. The info at the beginning was very helpful, thanks!
Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for watching!
Got the Zulu Diver MKII Padded Tropic FKM strap for my SPB213. Love it. Great vid!
Nice! Thanks for watching!
Great video. I just ordered a couple of straps from Strap Habit. Vaer also makes a FKM tropical strap but only offer it in 20mm and black but it is really good quality. I di wish that Bartons would start using FKM in their Elite line of straps.
Awesome! Hope you enjoy your straps! I'll have to check out the Vaer ones!
Juelong on AliExpress sells exactly those straps for 8-12 bucks, at your home in 10 days. I am almost 100% sure they are exactly the same straps. Those brands are probably just selling them at a huge profit. It would be interesting to see a comparison side by side video.
I definitely hear what you're saying! Thanks for watching!
I have an FKM strap on one of dive watches and vulcanized rubber on another. I like them both for different reasons. I will say that an FKM strap is a more comfortable wear.
Thanks for watching Greg and sharing this information because I've heard that vulcanized rubber is similar to FKM.
@@TheTownWatch In my opinion, you can't go wrong with either one. A shout out to Average Joe, he knows that I have sailcloth on three of my other watches. Frankly Artem is the best and I love mine.
I use Barton rubber straps on my divers ,super comfortable but these look cool too
I've heard of Barton for sure! What material do they use for their rubber straps?
@@TheTownWatch Just silicone I think .They do claim to be "Soft as a babies bottom" and makes my hefty Orient MForce feel light as a feather .Maybe a side by side comparison would make a good video ?
@@TheTownWatch They have number of different options, including silicon, TPU, D80 rubber and leather hybrid, and silicon and canvas hybrid. I have a TPU strap and an elite silicon strap, and they are both good options that feel similar on my wrist to the FKM strap I have from Long Island Watch.
@@Dave062YT Good idea! Silicone straps are nice too but sometimes I've found debris to stick to them.
@@candide1772 I'm not familiar with TPU or D80 rubber, what is it?
Thank you for this video. I have wondered what FKM rubber is and how good it is for straps for a while. 🙂👍
Thanks for watching Jeffrey! Good to hear from you again! Hope you're doing well!
Preaching to the choir man, I am wearing my Clockwork Republic fitted strap on my SKX
Very nice! Thanks for watching!
The WatchGecko straps that use the HNBR rubber made In Italy under contract by Bonetto Cinturini are also really nice. I have a couple of those. Expensive though. They feel similar to the caoutchouc natural rubber that Breitling uses on their divers, or at least used to use when I owned one (a SuperOcean from about 10 years ago).
Very funny and informative bud. I had never heard of Strap Seeker. Also- I like the school picture backdrop. ;)
Glad you enjoyed! 😅 When I was editing the video, I thought the same thing about the backdrop! 😂
Once locked in, Is there a lot of wiggle with FKM straps and the spring bars?
This video is FKM. Fukin Killer MOD. Amazing breakdown here, Josh. Learned so much. 👊🏻
Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed! One the ones that I have, there wasn't much wiggle room
FKM also stands for FKn Mofo - someone who cuts you off in heavy traffic so bad you have to pump the brakes and then get rear-ended.
I think an FKM strap will probably last you the rest of your life. The only thing that might go is the spring bars, but they're easily replaceable. I have an FKM black waffle strap on my Captain Willard and it really is almost indestructible. Thanks for the video!
Very informative video. I have a few watches I’ve been think about changing the ss straps for rubber straps. I would like to see multi colored straps.
Appreciate it my friend!
My brain hurts.
😅
Orange is my weakness 😊
FKM is a great material.. only toped on the Rubbery side of life from vulcaniced natural rubber (wich is expensive as hell). Its sometimes realy hard to find good rubber straps, because a lot of companies or seller dont delcare the rubber correct.. and i personaly hate silicone. i mean silicone is flexible, wears great, looks nice, but the lint man, the lint. what also can happen is, that a company change the supplier or the rubber material. i bougth one a realy nice Seiko style waffle strap. nice, flexible, a typical higher end FKM rubber strap. because i like it, i bought another one for a smaler watch.. it was silicone and matt and a lint magnet. for buying Rubber strap: never trust a Product shot or a product description. i have stoped to buy Rubber straps, because its just cambling. there is only one type of product with more lies in the watchstrap world: leather.
Good points! Thanks for watching Stefan.
@@TheTownWatch you'r welcome Dude
@@noobfl If you are after the "Waffle" Seiko stlyled strap, I can 100% recommend Juelong on AliExpress. Costs 8 bucks, made of FKM, doesn't pick up dust nor lint at all. No joke.
The Orient with the red FKM strap looks fantastic! Great video Josh! 👏👏👏
Thanks for watching Luis!
Great vid.
I actually have the Ali versions and love them, for a fraction of the cost and they're essentially the same. Unless you're going to wear the same one for years, then maybe I'd pay more.
Delivery times are a gamble but, like $12 usd, in can live with that.
They are indeed exactly the same, produced in the same factory. These sellers are basically ripping their customers off hard, no other way to put it. They buy them in bulk even cheaper and resell them for 5-8 times as much.
Thanks for watching Anthony.
@@lk754 This is something to consider for sure! I guess buying from a US based strap company you get quicker (more reliable) shipping and better customer service.
@@TheTownWatch There's no doubt about that. But FKM from Ali reaches EU in 3-4 weeks easily, should be about the same for US, and they are roughly 10 USD a piece. You could pretty much buy 4 or 5 of them for the price of a single strap purchased from US store. And again, they are exactly the same, produced in the same factory. As far as customer support is concerned, these are bulletproof, don't think much assistance is needed. To each their own of course, keep up the good work. :)
I definitely hear you! These are all valid points.
Really nice & informative straps video 🙏
Glad you enjoyed, thank you so much!
WOW, did I just hear him say that you can bend these RUBBER straps.
A BENDING RUBBER STRAP, what will they think of next.
Got a few FKM rubber straps and they are awesome, have one on my 7002 currently and it is so comfortable to wear and they aren't that expensive if you know where to buy them from. Great job on the video mate
Awesome! Thanks for watching! Where'd you pick yours up at?
@@TheTownWatch anytime and AliExpress
@@WesWatchRoom 👍Some of the ones on there seem like the exact same styles as from these other companies. Seems like these companies source them from the same places in China most likely.
@@TheTownWatch they do, buy em cheap, mark up and sell. I just go straight to the source and pay less for the same stuff
I hear ya! 😄
Watching this cos I just bought some $5 replacement straps from aliexpress and wondering if I did ok
NBR are good too, perhaps a little harder to find and more expensive, but very good.
What does NBR mean? I'm not familiar. Thanks for watching!
Yeah the WatchGecko HNBR ones are made In Italy under contract by Bonetto Cinturini are also very nice. They also have a nice vanilla scent too. HNBR stands for hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber.
You would have made a great science teacher 😁👍
😂😂 I don't know about that!!! Most of what I was reading I didn't understand! 😅
Great video thanks man.
I bought 3 fkm straps from Ali express that Peter kotsa recommended and they look exactly like all of these except they are 8$ each.
But China gets a lot of our custom these days so maybe go with homegrown companies 💪
Thanks for watching! Yeah, I hear you on that! Definitely something to consider! Peter is great! I love his channel!
I have the red design but in blue. FKM changed my view on rubber strap. I am biased towards bracelets.
👍👍
Wait a minute here, so all these new multi-colored straps I'm seeing all over the different shopping sites are being incorrectly advertised as "silicone"? (are actually FKM? they sure look so much like the examples you provided in your video, albeit from different makers (but like what you said they all seem to be the same)
Please help me out… difference between a $20-$30 FKM strap vs a… $200+ FKM strap from say Marathon as just one example. What’s the difference???
There is probably not much difference but I couldn't tell you for sure! Thanks for watching.
Springbar tip size?
Just got an fkm strap for $300 they better be good
Juelong fkm strap also good quality
Hi I bought the same San Martin on a bracelet and looking for a good "rubber" strap and stumble on this video.
That's awesome! Thanks for watching! Hope you check the links in the description for some good FKM rubber straps!
FKM ..What does it really mean in hidden terms: I'd say from the chemical composition: F-uh-K-eM : meaning, its it going to cause cancer or other long term disease, it's the customers problem. But hey, thats just a drop in the bucket of poisons that we are all exposed to. I'm no big worrier of these things, but it sure came to mind. I personally prefer stainless steel bracelets on my watches, but I'm not aware of the effects of that on the wrist. Anyway, good job on the video, but the introduction was corny if not annoying.
Thanks for watching!
I retract my harsh comments. I'm going to get the vented slot design from Strapsco or Strap habit for my Seiko Arnie Pepsi: Black( maybe) , red or blue , more likely! 😊
To much info about the meaning of the word and not enough strap showing
Do you have any advice where to find these FMK straps but for people with larger wrists? i cant find anything for my monster wrists lol
That's a good question! Probably something you would have to reach out to the companies about. Sorry. Thanks for watching.
Hey! Have you used any of the strapseeker fkm butterfly clasp straps??
Hello, thanks for watching! I have not tried their butterfly clasp, I didn't know they had one. Sorry!
Nice Zodiac Sea Dragon !
Thank you and thanks for watching!
Yes but what's atomic number 9? 🤔 hmm.
Great question! 😅 Thanks for watching!
Does FKM rubber feel like SWISS rubber?
Used on the Omega Seamaster or like the Everest strap ?
Good question, I am really not sure. I wonder if you can find any information about the actual rubber that is being used by those you mentioned. Thanks for watching!
@@TheTownWatch Can you take a trip to your local AD and put hands on some swiss rubber found on the Omega and report back to us. Swiss rubber vs fkm rubber?
@@u.u.u9969 😅 Perhaps.
@@TheTownWatch Thanks that would be cool to see you jump up the price bracket a bit. Everest vs Rubber B vs Tropic vs Zulande vs Swatch Group Rubber ect...
@@u.u.u9969 I would love to try all those out! If the companies would send in a sample I would definitely do a video on them but I don't think they're willing to do that for a channel like mine.
what about skin iritation, carcinigens etc. How safe is FKM to health?
That's a great question! I'm not sure! Thanks for watching!
Doesn’t cause any skin irritation. Amazing stuff
this elastomer is used pretty often in both food and medical industries, so unless you're a homesteader, it's probably not worth worrying about.
What will happen if i use alcohol to sanitize FKM straps?
I think it would probably be fine but there is only one way to find out. Try it!
So how long do they last?
That's hard to say because that depends on a lot of factors... Thanks for watching.
@@TheTownWatch ball park figure if worn every day?
@@deanwaller8283 I would say, with normal wear on a daily basis these could last you 15 years plus, I mean FKM material is used for gaskets and such which are many times exposed to pressure and high temperatures.
@@TheTownWatch wait,,, seriously???
15 years!!!
@@deanwaller8283 That would be just a guess, but I encourage you to do your own research on FKM as a material in general and also try out a watch strap made of it to see for yourself what you think. Use any of my links in the description of this video...😁
Is it okay to disinfect FKM watch straps using soap or alcohol?
To clean the coronavirus off of the strap.
Sure!
I like your video, but your sound effects and intro are a lot louder than your speaking voice and they are very sudden.
Je suis français, depuis que j'ai des bracelets tropique fkm, je les adore Avec en plus les pompes rapide, c'est super pratique
I'm sorry, I don't understand.
Just get to the point damn😂
Dude what weed is your favourite
I don't understand, I don't smoke. Thanks for watching.
All of them
What is an FKM strap? Before I show you, let me explain how the universe was formed and elements came into existence.
Not quite! 😅 Thanks for watching!
@@TheTownWatch just kidding, I enjoyed all the details. Well done. 👍🏻
@@vipnetworker 😅
Plastic isn't rubber. Fix your header.
i use hirsch! i dont give a shit about american made in china kickstarter dime a dozen rubber bands! i hate colored rubber straps!
What's Hirsch? Is that a strap company?
@@TheTownWatch hey fun fact smartass: Hirsch is 10y older than your dumbass nation! lol so is my local brewery.
@@bent540 I'm not following . . . I'm not being "smart" . . . I have no idea what you're talking about or what Hirsch is. . .
@@TheTownWatch hirsch is a german watchstrap maker. they are considered as higher end. Hirsch is well known for their dressy leather straps and their more tooly rubber straps. here in germany, probably their most well known line is the performance line. those are rubber straps with a leather upper. BUT.. i personaly think, the performance straps are overhyped. there are a lot (and i meen a lot) of unsadisfied costumers, for wich the leather uppers get broken of.
Thanks! I had to look them up! Seems like they make some good stuff but definitely a little pricey!
Got bored after the first 2 minuets
Who cares what you got?