FKM Rubber Straps
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- Опубліковано 2 сер 2021
- I have been struggling wiring certain watches in my collection recently only because of comfort factor.
I decided to do a web search for some good rubber straps and the straps found me.
Straps featured in the video:
Green FKM strap on WISE Hitman watch: strapsco.com/product/dassari-...
Black FKM strap on Fortis watch: strapsco.com/product/dassari-...
Blue FKM strap on Vostok watch: strapsco.com/product/dassari-...
Red FKM strap on Seiko S-wave watch: strapsco.com/product/dassari-...
Black FKM strap on Seiko Turtle watch: strapsco.com/product/dassari-...
Thanks for watching - Навчання та стиль
I've come to mostly prefer FKM straps to bracelets. A bracelet needs to be quite well done to be a real positive for a watch, so unless I'm loving that bracelet (ideally with glide lock) it's gonna be FKM straps on the watch. Comfort is a top priority, and especially with quick-release being standard now, I think watch collectors probably should be incidental strap collectors too. This is why I normally insist on either 20mm or 22mm lug width for my watches, so I only need 2 strap collections.
I concur. And led me ad this: depending on the watch, an FKM rubber strap could be a perfect fit to a dressier watch as well. I wear mi Seiko Presage Cocktail Time on a navy blue FKM rubber strap and I love it. I'm a lawyer, so I wear suits all week long, and I feel pretty confident wearing my Presage on rubber with a suit. And on weekends, the same watch with the same strap wearing jeans and T-shirts looks so cool.
Damn, I'm falling in love with this channel again.
He's really good isn't he . Cheers 👍
@@juniorjohnson5961 It's well how do I put it, it's like every video of his is like his best one yet, like how every UA-cam channel has that one perfect video but here all his videos are perfect. I hope you get what I'm saying.
I love my FKM straps, by far my favourite straps to wear on my watches. I have a yellow one that is insanely vibrant, it's alot of fun to wear.
Great straps Peter and very handy for handwashing during Covid!
Strapsco are great I've bought several in the past. Their leather and fabric straps are also well recommended and they don't break the bank!
Thanks for the review and info. Didn't know that FKM was such a supple and comfortable option. Wish more ppl would talk about comfort in watch reviews
Glad this one popped up today in suggestions. I am currently waiting for my Fortis F41 to arrive on Tuesday. Which I had to have after seeing your review on the F39. Took some time to find a way to purchase it in the USA. Buy finally came across a place in NY that could get it. So in anticipation I went back to your review video and caught the 21mm part. Been looking around for a rubber strap for it, even looked at Strapsco but missed it. Very pleased to see this video today! Thanks again for all your great content, we have similar tastes. Love the channel!
Cheers
Love the fortis and the other German watch. Your watch collection is awesome 👏 my kind of watches. Through your channel I gave come to learn of all these new watches. Thank you. 💚
Glad you like them!
Cheers
Rubber straps are awesome,so comfy👍🏻
Thanks for making this video, you have given me some ideas for my own watches including my Fortis Flieger F-41!
Glad I could help
FKM rubber straps are awesome. They are my favorite straps.
Very comfortable looking, I might have to grab one
Thank you again I ordered three of these watch bands and they are quite good. :)
Nice straps. Will consider them for future purchase. This plain model strap should come with surface texturing of some sort to add some visual aesthetic.
Man I love that Fortis!
Me too 😎
Thanks 👍 Peter for your review 😉
Hi Peter hope you are well, just enquiring when u going to do your best 5 watch collection many thanks
Awesome and useful video as usual 👍😀👌👏 thanks Peter
Glad you enjoyed it
Cheers
Will give them a look, gave up on rubber straps over 20 years ago and haven't considered them since - obviously they've evolved. Good helpful video, thank you 👍🏻👍🏻
You’re Welcome 🙏
This is a timely review. I have been hemming and hawing the last week or so, thinking I need a new summer watch, some more color in my collection. Then I realized how new, bright, colorful straps could do just the trick!
Good to know about "the good stuff" now.
PS - I was watching this the 1st time through while working, and when you were talking about the rubber straps and tossed them to the side, I thought a watch was attached to those straps! Got me again...
Hahahaha
I wouldn’t toss a watch, not that crazy 😜🤪
Cheers
Nice review. I love rubber straps. The green strap matches the bezel perfectly.
Yeah pretty cool
Great vid Peter. I've just been chatting with Alex and we'd just said how a strap change can completely change a watch! It's a great, affordable way to revitalise a watch collection. Cheers mate.
Well said Dave, totally agree mate
Cheers
I love FKM as well!!
Don’t sell a good full grain leather strap short; will last a lifetime
Last weekend I received my first watch that has a rubber strap and I like it.
It is a replica U-Boat watch that someone on my neighborhood Freecycle group was giving away so I jumped in and requested it and I WON!
I have to say that it is very comfortable.
The watch is a behemoth of a watch.
It's an absolute eyesore LOL on my little girly wrist.
Nah actually it's a fun watch but it is Shocklingly huge.
I have a Vostok that came with a trash 'leather' strap that after seeing what you have done with your Vostok I definitely want to go with a rubber strap.
The strap it came with really is ugly so anything would be an upgrade.
Thanks for this video.
It gives me some good ideas for some of my other collection.
Ordered a couple straps from your review. Thanks!
Enjoy them 👍
I am wearing my Hamilton day date on a new strapco fkm strap. Very nice in our hot and very humid summer here in North Carolina.
Good point, weather. I live in Panama City, Panama, and it's hot and humid all year long. FKM rubber straps are the best on weathers like this.
Here's a little story I feel like sharing. My first "proper" watch ever was a Casio with a rubber strap and I wore it for about a year until the strap gave out. Then my dad bought me a Suunto X-Lander Military with a sort of fitted rubber strap and man did I feel invincible with that beast of a watch. But the rubber strap just didn't last long. First the keeper broke and finally the whole strap just snapped into pieces. I replaced that strap like three times until the whole watch was discontinued (I guess) and you just couldn't find replacement straps for it anymore. So after I started this watch collecting journey of mine I promised that never again will a watch strap let me down. So what did I do? Metal bracelets only. Period. No rubber straps for me I thought. And now after a few years of collecting and metal bracelets only I find myself looking for the "best" rubber strap. That comfort is just next level compared to a bracelet. Thank you Peter for this video and for putting new ideas into my head. Love the way you presented these and the different options as well. That Hitman really looks A+ with that green strap. Love it.
I have ordered several straps from strapco and have to say good value for the money. I needed a couple 19mm straps and they sent me an email about sales on some of their straps. I recieved 3 vintage style leather strap with buy 2 get 1 + 10% off coupon 27$ for 3 quality leather straps... can't beat that! Thanks for the info on FKM rubber as this is new info for me. When I need another rubber strap I know where to go. Thanks!
Usually I hate rubber/silicone straps. So the only ones I can recommend from personal experience are Steeldive rubber straps (branded and unbranded). Very comfortable and reliable and at 1/4 of the price of Dassari
I bought a fitted FKM for my Seamaster 300, Amazing strap. Ridiculously comfortable. I never realized how different some rubber straps can be.
There was a commercial on tv many years ago for oil, it went something like this.."oils aint oils"..
same thing goes for straps, not every rubber strap is made the same (quality and comfort) 👍
@@PeterKotsa ua-cam.com/video/dcDbqQOcZps/v-deo.html 😂
@@bogrot69 HAHAHA..well done !!!!
Great find..you've just brought me back, way back..
LOVE IT !! 😂😂😂
Awesome straps. I’m going to buy some for my Certina ds action 38mm in GREEN 😱
Great review. Was looking at these before, but went a different direction. May have to revisit. They look great on what you paired them with!
Cheers Greg
I’m starting to really get into rubber. It’s getting to the point where if a watch works on a leather band then I will almost always put it on a smooth rubber strap in the same color
Way more versatile than leather. Wise choice.
Beautiful
Thanks for this. I just bought a green Bonetto Cinturini that is a slight hue mismatch for my watch. The one in your video looks like it might do the trick.
They make wonderful vulcanized rubber straps and are affordable too.
that turtle with the smooth bezel is so cool looking, dude.
Cheers
Hi great video. I believe that the watch. Pagani design came with a strap like you were talking about it’s not silicon but it’s very soft and supple and it feels more dense it’s definitely rubber but it’s extremely comfortable. I could see the straps going for $20 apiece easy maybe even 30.
Thanks for this video. Recently bought a new watch that only came with a metal strap so was looking for some good recommendations. I've ordered one of the Zelos vulcanized rubber ones and now a FKM with the oisterflex look.
How does the vulcanized compare to the fkm? Comfort, flexibility and how hot? (Dunno biht others, but most rubber doesn't allow my wrist to breathe)
@@carlobighouse5434 both are really comfortable, but like you said , not super breathable. The Zelos vulcanized feels a bit nicer and picks up ZERO dust. If you want a breathable strap check out a isofrane or something similar to the ladder bracelet on the Zenith El Primero.
@@HRM.H thank you for the reply dude
Thanks for this review. I was looking for a nice yellow rubber strap but didn’t want to pay that much for the isofrane, plus they were sold out everywhere I looked.. how much would the 22mm fkm taper down to for a black hardware change?
Hiya Pete! I really came to appreciate FKM straps as well, especially the pre-curved ones.! I still absolutely love this Fortis watch and I have a question: we're you able to find a proper 21 mm strap or can these straps in 22 mm be shoehorned in to fit into 21 mm lugs? Cheers mate! 👍
I couldn’t find anything I liked in 21
Such a frustrating experience, I almost came to the point of letting the watch go
Finally I tried this 22mm FkM took the quick release spring bars out and used the Fortis screw pins, perfect fit and supremely comfortable
Very happy at last 😎
While I can see the benefits of a great strap; It also needs to compliment the watch with design and color.
Oh the red seiko look so sexy, it is absolutely beautiful. I have been looking to buy that watch and can’t find it anywhere. Love love love your collection. Thank you for sharing really enjoy seeing these watches.
Hi Peter,
Thanks for sharing these strap options. Definitely straps open up a huge opportunity to customize watches and bring back that "new feel" factor.
I request you to do a video on SKX, especially given that it has been discontinued, it would be nice to get your opinion and if possible compare it against the Seiko 5's that replace the icon. It would give other an opportunity to buy one when they can.
It just occurred as Seiko SKX is strap monster and I was able to make that connection while watching this video.
Thank you Peter!
yes Peter, please do a video on the Seiko SKX 007. Its a classic watch with a huge community. An excellent channel like this needs to cover an excellent watch!
I agree with you , I put my watches that I don't wear on strapco rubber and now I wear them more often.
It’s made my Fortis very wearable now 👍
@@PeterKotsa my glycine airman came on a bracelet but it's so much better on rubber just like my hamilton khaki field, I'm about to buy the rubber strap for my Oris big crown pro pilot
@@jodysilvia2 excellent 👍👍
One of the channels that I always click on and like !
Much appreciated 🙏🙏
And recommend !
I've had quite a few people who were unaware of the channel.
Love these straps.strapsco sell some great stuff. And better priced than some in aus.The last vostok I bought from a dealer had the bracelet on it and I asked them to change it for a rubber strap. They put am Fkm on it for free.winner all round. Thanks pete.🤺
Lucky man 👍👍
Great video thank you
👍
Hi Peter! Fantastic video. I’ve been having similar probs with a watch I have… maybe it’s time I changed the strap. One thing I noticed, the focusing seems to be really quick and snappy. Wonder what kind of equipment you’re using? Thanks.
I was a little lazy so I shot the outside footage with my iPhone 12😇
Talk about timing, my black strapsco diassari arrived yesterday for my Sub and it’s every bit as good as you say
Brilliant, enjoy
Bonetto Centurini (might have misspelled) they make the best vulcanized rubber straps next to isofrane and they're only 30 bucks. Check them out, I love them plus they smell like vanilla. 👍
ritchie and barton rubber also great
I tried to be a nato guy when I started but the look didn't fit me or maybe it fit me too well lol. Rubber and sailcloth are my go to straps now. Checking these out.
I love sailcloth as well..go ARTEM 👍
This is a very timely review. I don't see any quick release options for these straps at Strapco. They do sell quick release spring bars as separate purchase items. Is it as simple as ordering a pair of these to go with one of the straps that you show in your review? If so, that would be very impressive. I do prefer quick release on most of my watches.
These were all quick release
I changed out the Fortis strap to solid screw pins
Cheers
Thanks for the video!
I was wondering how you got the 22mm strap on the 21mm lugs?
Remove the quick release pins and squeeze it in with the standard 21mm pins?
Correct
I had to improvise
Works great 👍
@@PeterKotsa thanks for the reply. Results look good 👍🏼
Diy watch club has some really good fkm straps if you want another option
Hi Peter, thank you for the video. I am considering purchasing and have qq - where you able to fit the wider seiko spring bars through the straps (assuming you removed the quick release bars)? Thanks!
The fat sprint bars fit with a little persuasion
I spray some silicon lubricant spray on the spring bar and then it slides into the rubber strap.
Still a little tight but at least it can be removed or reinserted as the silicon spray helps
cheers Dave 👍
Got two fkm strap thanks 😊
I like Fortis, but I can't stand indices that are not white or metal during the day... one reason why I sold my Seiko MM300 ceramic model. I used to have a B-52 three hander and loved it, but the 52mm lug to lug was too big for my 7" wrist.
I like the Dasari straps but I wish they were a tiny bit longer. I'm always on the last hole and there isn't quite enough extra. Another 4-5mm on each piece would be perfect.
What wrist size are you? I’v had the same problem with certain straps.
@@allmotor91 8"-8 1/4" if I'm working hard. I have a few Strapsco super waffle straps, they are are barely long enough. "Genuine" scuba straps tend to be longer, to fit over a wetsuit. Crafter Blue fit beautifully (they are something like 135mm and 75mm) but they are either case-specific or simply too costly. Isofrane are even better - at that price they need to be. I've found comfortable cheap straps on AliEx but they all have hopeless buckles
I've had 2 FKM straps break.
Just a clean snap strait across.
Both times watch dropped to the ground, no crack or split, just simply broke in half
Ouch...what brand were the straps?
@@PeterKotsa DASSARI
I bought 3 different colors. The yellow one broke within a few weeks, they sent me a replacement and it broke again.
Other colors got just as much use but didn't break.
Not using any as I can't trust them. They were nice wearing, comfortable.
For a moment there you reminded me of Karl Taylor
I've tried silicon and rubber straps before. They are usually comfortable but sweaty and then smelly or the silicon ones are comfortable but a bit too floppy and lint magnets.... darn you I guess I'll give it another try. Let's see how these work out for me.
I’m sure you will enjoy these, I prefer the plain version myself (the one I used on the Fortis)😎👍
I struggle to find good rubber straps in small sizes!! I have 6.25 inches wrist and anything over 185mm long doesn't work for me
Peter - the link to the Fortis Strap doesn't have any 21mm options. Are you sure it's the one you have?
Yes, I used a 22mm and removed the quick release spring bar..fits as snug as a bug in a rug..so to say 😇👍
@@PeterKotsa ahhhh that explains it. Might have to try that. I have a few fortis on FKM and they are super comfy. I still think that watch rocks on Matte Supreme Crown & Buckle.
Hi, I m keen on a rubber but could anyone recommend a brand that makes shorter rubber. Thank you.
I'm between this FKM from Stracopde, and an GL831 from Uncle Straps. Which is more comfortable?
I hate rubber straps. But this has convinced me to maybe try one out.
All rubber straps were not created equal..I think these are a great balance between quality and price..👍
Cheers
@@PeterKotsa brilliant. When I begin earning income again I’ll be able to fund my hobby again.
@@whatsstefon yeah I hear you..its a bit of a bummer with these lockdowns and work. I have had to cancel so much work in Photography because of these rules we have to follow ..terrible
@@PeterKotsa yeah man. Tell me about it. 17 months here with no pay. And I am sad to say I feel like we’re only half way through all this. I hope I’m wrong. But my gut says otherwise.
@@whatsstefon terrible..and I feel that the silent mental abuse that we are all enduring will take its toll in due course..not good at all
Persevere, I hope that there is light at the end of this tunnel
Looks like my oysterflex without the silly price tag, really impressed
What is that red Seiko? What model ?
Lovely
ua-cam.com/video/uGApggSVgeo/v-deo.html
Dang, i want yourMuhle!
They are comfortable, but not as well made. I rotate a Crafter Blue on my Avenger 43. Comfortable AF, but you can see the shoddy work on the glued together seams. This is only visible upon close inspection, but very noticeable on macro shots. The OEM Breirling rubber straps may be quite stiff, but they are better built...
Is the 'fluoroinated carbon-based' material you stated the same as used on apple watches and the new g-shock analog frogman watches? The web site did not mention fluroinated carbon-based material.
I am assuming it is, that's what FKM basically is.
Cheers
@@PeterKotsa Thank you! :)
Indeed, same material.
Are these like aliexpress fkm straps or something else?
I bought some of these straps and honestly thought the hardware on them isn't to good. Im now looking for some better quality straps but dont know where to start lol.
Wise in Thailand have exceptional straps and hardware FKM rubber 👍
@@PeterKotsa i will look into that. Thanks boss!
@@El-AYE-Ra1s3d 🙏
You said the Fortis was a 21mm. That strapco strap doesn’t come in 21mm. How did you do it? I have several 19mm and 21mm watches and it’s always so hard to find rubber for them. Strapco thinks divers only come in 20, 22, and 24mm.
I got a 22mm and it fits nice and snug 👍
The clasp on the first watch, is that after market?
Which watch?..the Muhle Glasshute?
Thats its original strap and clasp
Cheers
Those pre-curved ends are very important to these straps too. FKMs with straight ends are still not as nice as the curved ones.
hey peter the straps maybe comfortable but look a little plain but look more interesting from the back see if they fit the wrong way
I hear you, but no they won't look good the other way around as the quick release spring bars have cut out slots which are visible. Also, the texture is beautifully suited for sweat and breathing.
cheers
@@PeterKotsa thanks for the reply - hey was a cheeky tongue in cheek comment from me hehe - come on pete lets see it the wrong way - it's like i'm so cool with my watch game that i can wear my straps back to front so IDGAF- peter like your work mate and I share the watch disease too-, however i'm in watch collecting rehab now - your one a a few tubers that i watch
@@edzukich That means heaps to me,..appreciated.
And I sort of figured you were taking the mickey out of me, but I played along 😊😂👍
Do some research and you can find curved ends that will fit the case size. It makes everything flow better.
Any leads?..
Cheers
@@PeterKotsa I found a great seller on eBay ..... O2 watchstraps ...... and he had very high quality Tudor BB style vulcanized dive bracelets with pretty nice milled clasps. I would say they are 75% of the caliber that Rolex spec's and quite a bit better'n the flock of straps. The curve fits 38-39mm cases and have a nice shelf that holds the case back/steadies the strap. I used 2mm springbars to totally eliminate the gaps.
@@WillyMcCoy50 I'll check him out,
cheers
You said density. Is it heavier? Like say an Everest?
I suppose with greater density there’s also extra mass
But in saying that these don’t feel any heavier than standard rubber
Cheers
Please go to your local AD and put your hands on an Omega rubber strap and you will see what I mean. Swiss rubber feels different than your standard vulcanized rubber and so on...
Tropic uses swiss rubber
Everest uses swiss rubber
You keep talking about the watches and not the straps?
Ok. So, when you said the rubber from years ago is "old school" and not good. Well, I have some rubber straps that are more than 12 years old and they are still going strong, feel great and still look relevant to today's standards. So, I'm not sure what the hell you are saying. Are you selling the strapcos or are you speaking honestly about rubber straps? I really want to know because you sound ingenuous and like a salesman. What's the honest answer?
Great vid nonetheless; I enjoyed the info and content.
Old school is not 10 years ago bro..lol
I have some straps from Seiko's back in the 70's and 80's and they are very stiff..in fact they were stiff back in the day as well...were not designed properly (the right type of rubber)
Even the more recent Seiko SKX had a terrible rubber strap.
The new stuff (FKM or even Vulcanised rubber) is exceptional in comparison..
hope that helps
cheers
@@PeterKotsa Fair enough. I spent 25 years in the military wearing and fitted for gear that is by its very nature uncomfortable on the body. So, my threshold for discomfort may be leaps above the civilian who swaddles themselves in comfort and softness. The rubber straps I have are comfortable for me because I'm used to uncomfortable-ness. Also, I've always associated soft with weak, so there is also that aspect of my bias to consider here.
Its all good. I might pick up some of these to try them out. Thanks for replying, even if I was a bit of a jerk. 😉
@@Tom_H327 👍
can't wear anything but fabric. can't wear nylon or plastic can't wear metal i have tried the bands that come with the watches and they just don't work, metal mesh that came with the ecodrive, had to change it the stainless links that came with the marine star nope both gave me a rash like poison ivy the silicone strap that came with the seiko 5 nope sweat and more rash. so i have no idea why i'm even here
Haha, you're here to say hi Richard and share your experience. Thank you for sharing btw
Artem make a great quality Sailcloth, that should be right up your alley . They are not cheap, but well worth the money
Cheers
In my experience, for as much as leather straps cost, their durability is awful. They stain, stretch, shrink up in width and so on
Not in my experience and I have quite a few! Are you referring to non FKM straps..?