Remember guys, a good quality rubber keeps accidents from happening. You wouldnt want to have your rubber break would you? Because i promise it will cost you more than the price of just a rubber (bracelet).
Do not get into watches! Or knives, firearms, audio gear, suits, shoes, cookware, bicycles, fjallraven jackets, fine leather goods, colognes, etc, etc, etc. It’s all one big rabbit hole.
i would bet, that the "isofrane" is produced by bonetto cinturini. cinturini produces rubber straps for different brands, and most of them are in the isofrane style ;)
Hi Nick, You have the non-buckle section of the strap installed upside down. It should have two incised/indented lines as it's the 284 BC "Hot Tuna" model. You can see part of the Hot Tuna stamp on the underside where you cut off the excess length.
Been in and out of the sea and laying on the beach for 2 weeks wearing the isofrane. Covered in salt, sunscreen, after sun, sand, sweat, and baking in the sun. It looks brand new. Brilliant strap. Yes it is thick. But you’re not going to wear it with a shirt!
You have the bottom half of the the strap on backwards, just saying...two vents are supposed to be visible, one on your wristside..also the buckle tongue on my BC 284 is countersunk into the buckle, not sure why yours isnt
The strap style he is wearing is often marketed as the 6 o’clock side being reversible. The no decompression table style Seiko straps are considered reversible. With the no deco table visible or not. Some product descriptions say bottom half reversible. So he has it reversed which is a feature that most people don’t realize is a feature.
Just realized the 1st photo for the band sold on Amazon (link in description) is actually a Seiko band. You can see the wave logo on the end opposite the clasp. The 2nd photo doesn't have a Seiko logo lol
It's a matter of perspective. In handgun terms, it's OK to put a 300 dollar pistol in a nylon Uncle Mike holster. For the serious guy, with a 1300 dollar Sig, he will generally go with a pricey factory or custom holster. Watch bands are much the same.
I would like to see how a silicone strap compares. I have one watch with a silicone strap; several Casio G-shock with whatever polymer they use. All are comfortable although the silicone strap is a much thicker gauge than the Casio straps. I don't seem to sweat as much with the silicone either.
From my experience silicone (Barton Elite) is more comfortable. It stretches unlike rubber so you can a very comfy but snug fit. Your watch would stay in place no matter what. Downside is that you sweat more with silicone (at least in my case), it's less durable and rips, but most importantly it attracts dust and lint like crazy. Black silicone strap looks like shit within the first day of wear.
asov4955 I have been wearing a Barton elite silicone strap for about a month, and it looks completely new and mint. Maybe they recently changed their formula or something, but it hasn't been a dust magnet for me at all. I am going to try a rubber strap soon to compare.
Nick - I'm looking for a good 19mm rubber strap for my Aqua Terra. Where did you get a 19mm Bonetto Cinturini? Is that not the 39.5 Planet Ocean with 19mm lugs?
I'm not even going to lie, the blue strap looks really nice and sporty on that watch, would definitely be my choice for the beach. Great review Nick. Thanks
I use a Watchgecko Tropic strap on my pelagos with the titanium Tudor buckle. i'm a big fan of real rubber straps and this one is awesome and only 40 bucks.
I’m not gonna lie. Seeing any rubber strap on a planet ocean hurts my heart. It’s like being at a high end steak restaurant and someone puts steak sauce on a medium rare filet.
Isofrane used to make official Omega-branded straps. They have a long history as THE diver strap, and the PO is a diver watch. There's nothing wrong with that combination.
A rubber strap is actually an OEM option for the Planet Ocean... either rubber, bracelet, or mesh. I chose bracelet. I didn't care for the stock rubber, but I do like the idea of an ISOfrane. The mesh looks good too.
I cant find the hirsch pure strap in regular length. Does anyone know If the longer 120mm/80mm Pure strap would be too long for a Seiko Turtle on a 7" wrist size.
What are your thoughts on silicone straps like Barton? I find them compelling for the $13-20 price and the quick release spring bars. They're very flexible and I enjoy the soft touch feel.
I think they are garbage. They get sweaty, pinch, and quick release springbars give me 0 sense of security. And if you can't swap spring bars you can wear out your watches lug holes if they are the wrong size.
OK, its time for me to rant. This $140 strap might be worth $10. Your $600 to $1000 cell phone might be worth $17. Your $6000 hearing aids might be worth $18 and your $1200 smart HDTV might be worth $55. The market will charge what the buyer is willing to pay.
Could be, yes. But I’ve always been a fan of extension straps for that use: There when you need it for your wetsuit, but can be taken off when you just have a normal wrist. And it’s usually an add-on.
Biggest disadvantage to tree trunk wrists is finding a rubber strap that will even fit. Never seen one that would fit over an 8.5" wrist. You'd think someone would make one to fit larger wrists. I can find leather, nato, even nylon/canvas. But no rubber straps
That was seriously informative. I had no idea that there is a market for $140 rubber watch bands, let alone $600 ones! I'm a wristwatch neophyte as you probably just ascertained by my ignorance. Oh, and others have commented that this video contains a very important message about birth control methods. Thank you for your social conscience, Nick.
It looks like the Cinturini originally had a Hokusai wave (or something that looks really similar) on the end of the strap. I wonder if they're marketing these as replacements for the SKX?
The strap I have on my G-Shock looks much more well made than that blue one... Black one looks pretty cool... Would like to see it on the watch though... Maybe you should just buy another Omega for... ya know... just comparison sake... I'm sure the wife will understand... Tell her it's a tax write-off...
This is a very old review, but the reviewer needs to realize that dive watch straps are made longer to allow them to be worn outside of a wetsuit when necessary. Maybe do some research next time.
Got a couple of Isoframe straps but only for my thicker watches as a sporty option, I have tried the 600$ Omega rubber strap and it is not worth the money. I rather prefer the Isoframe but I prefer a clasp instead of a tang, so I am looking for a really good rubber strap with a great clasp as it is my preferred option. But most of the time I wear my watches on a bracelet and don't know why, but there is something satisfying and reassuring with a really good metal bracelet.
Seiko make a nice one that I have on a kinetic arctura - middle thickness rubber (probably between the 2 in this review) & a decent milled deployment. Only slight hassle is that you do have to cut the rubber to size. Oris also make a similar strap. I'm sure someone will tell you who makes an after-market version sometime.
I get that rubber is hard to beat for water resistance and durability. If you have a high end sports oriented watch, I guess I can see why you would want a watch band with all of the advantages you would get with a rubber band, but come on... We can't find anything other than rubber for a high end element proof, durable watch band? I got a dozen gshocks with rubber bands, I don't want rubber on my planet ocean.
Price aside, I find the clasp and holes on the black one pretty ugly... I love that its milled and everything, but from the thumbnail I was 100% sure that the black one was the budget strap just from the top view and looks.
Ari W. I gotta disagree on that as a blanket statement, percieved value created by effective marketing is not real value. Anyone remember "investing" in Beanie Babies?
Remember guys, a good quality rubber keeps accidents from happening. You wouldnt want to have your rubber break would you? Because i promise it will cost you more than the price of just a rubber (bracelet).
😄
Always wear a quality rubber, gents!
Best to wear two, just to be safe
Make sure you use lubrication as well for the rubber to avoid breakage.
🤡
Do not get into watches! Or knives, firearms, audio gear, suits, shoes, cookware, bicycles, fjallraven jackets, fine leather goods, colognes, etc, etc, etc. It’s all one big rabbit hole.
Yep. Just get into begging bowls. Way cheaper.
Vintage beer trays,.....don't get into those either.
Toothpicks
i would bet, that the "isofrane" is produced by bonetto cinturini. cinturini produces rubber straps for different brands, and most of them are in the isofrane style ;)
Hi Nick, You have the non-buckle section of the strap installed upside down. It should have two incised/indented lines as it's the 284 BC "Hot Tuna" model. You can see part of the Hot Tuna stamp on the underside where you cut off the excess length.
The keeper is upside down on the buckle section as well.
Hi Nick, you have the 6 o clock end of strap installed upside down. If you installed it correctly all your cons would have melted away!
this is interesting since I don't even wear watches but was curious and like this guys enthusiasm about gear
Been in and out of the sea and laying on the beach for 2 weeks wearing the isofrane. Covered in salt, sunscreen, after sun, sand, sweat, and baking in the sun. It looks brand new. Brilliant strap. Yes it is thick. But you’re not going to wear it with a shirt!
You have the bottom half of the the strap on backwards, just saying...two vents are supposed to be visible, one on your wristside..also the buckle tongue on my BC 284 is countersunk into the buckle, not sure why yours isnt
The strap style he is wearing is often marketed as the 6 o’clock side being reversible. The no decompression table style Seiko straps are considered reversible. With the no deco table visible or not. Some product descriptions say bottom half reversible.
So he has it reversed which is a feature that most people don’t realize is a feature.
Just realized the 1st photo for the band sold on Amazon (link in description) is actually a Seiko band. You can see the wave logo on the end opposite the clasp. The 2nd photo doesn't have a Seiko logo lol
Borealis makes a great Isofrane type band for a reasonable price.
This
🐐
I think anyone who pays that much for a rubber strap has a rubber brain. You want security for your watch then you dont buy rubber you buy a nato.
NATO/Zulu straps guard against one particular failure very well. But that’s not the only thing a watch strap is for :)
Nick Shabazz very true but I still think only a fool spends that much money on a rubber strap :)
The price alone for a nato strap is better that the cheaper rubber one.
NATO straps just don't ware all that well on a wet suite and the neoprene just don't like that nylon.
That is good value, Rubber B straps and Everest rubber straps cost $250!
It's a matter of perspective. In handgun terms, it's OK to put a 300 dollar pistol in a nylon Uncle Mike holster. For the serious guy, with a 1300 dollar Sig, he will generally go with a pricey factory or custom holster. Watch bands are much the same.
I would like to see how a silicone strap compares. I have one watch with a silicone strap; several Casio G-shock with whatever polymer they use. All are comfortable although the silicone strap is a much thicker gauge than the Casio straps. I don't seem to sweat as much with the silicone either.
From my experience silicone (Barton Elite) is more comfortable. It stretches unlike rubber so you can a very comfy but snug fit. Your watch would stay in place no matter what. Downside is that you sweat more with silicone (at least in my case), it's less durable and rips, but most importantly it attracts dust and lint like crazy. Black silicone strap looks like shit within the first day of wear.
asov4955 I have been wearing a Barton elite silicone strap for about a month, and it looks completely new and mint. Maybe they recently changed their formula or something, but it hasn't been a dust magnet for me at all. I am going to try a rubber strap soon to compare.
Awesome presentation! You'd make a great sports announcer. Such attention to detail.
Nick - I'm looking for a good 19mm rubber strap for my Aqua Terra. Where did you get a 19mm Bonetto Cinturini? Is that not the 39.5 Planet Ocean with 19mm lugs?
I'm not even going to lie, the blue strap looks really nice and sporty on that watch, would definitely be my choice for the beach. Great review Nick. Thanks
I use a Watchgecko Tropic strap on my pelagos with the titanium Tudor buckle. i'm a big fan of real rubber straps and this one is awesome and only 40 bucks.
I'd like to see how this compares to the $12 FKM flouro-rubber straps from AliExpress, which are FAR higher quality than that $25 Amazon strap.
I’m not gonna lie. Seeing any rubber strap on a planet ocean hurts my heart. It’s like being at a high end steak restaurant and someone puts steak sauce on a medium rare filet.
Dan Horn I totally agree.
Low fat mayonaise tastes so much better than steak sauce on a medium rare filet.
Especially when the bracelet is SO much nicer!
It’s like seeing someone put ketchup on steak.
Isofrane used to make official Omega-branded straps. They have a long history as THE diver strap, and the PO is a diver watch. There's nothing wrong with that combination.
A rubber strap is actually an OEM option for the Planet Ocean... either rubber, bracelet, or mesh. I chose bracelet. I didn't care for the stock rubber, but I do like the idea of an ISOfrane. The mesh looks good too.
I cant find the hirsch pure strap in regular length. Does anyone know If the longer 120mm/80mm Pure strap would be too long for a Seiko Turtle on a 7" wrist size.
loving the practical review
What are your thoughts on silicone straps like Barton? I find them compelling for the $13-20 price and the quick release spring bars. They're very flexible and I enjoy the soft touch feel.
Silicone straps attract dust and lint. For some people it's not a concern but it bugs the heck out of me.
I think they are garbage. They get sweaty, pinch, and quick release springbars give me 0 sense of security. And if you can't swap spring bars you can wear out your watches lug holes if they are the wrong size.
I would have liked to have seen the Isofrane on the watch. So we could have seen how it looks on your wrist.
OK, its time for me to rant. This $140 strap might be worth $10. Your $600 to $1000 cell phone might be worth $17. Your $6000 hearing aids might be worth $18 and your $1200 smart HDTV might be worth $55. The market will charge what the buyer is willing to pay.
This is convincing to me to just got for the ISOfrane. What color is that ISOfrane? Sometimes it looks black, sometimes a dark blue.
for about $20 barton watch bands makes great silicone watch bands with Quick Release Spring Bars
This video comes out the day my isofrane arrives. you missed one of the best parts of the isofrane straps, they smell like vanilla.
which bonetto cinturini has too.
That's because they make them as an OEM
do you think the Bonetto Cinturini rubber strap is longer to fit over wetsuits? I don't wear it often but I love my Isofrane straps.
Could be, yes. But I’ve always been a fan of extension straps for that use: There when you need it for your wetsuit, but can be taken off when you just have a normal wrist. And it’s usually an add-on.
Wow. I freaking love this dudes accent lol.
4 minutes into the video and I’m just waiting for him to say ”eh… what’s up doc?”
Great review. Thanks Nick.
Biggest disadvantage to tree trunk wrists is finding a rubber strap that will even fit. Never seen one that would fit over an 8.5" wrist. You'd think someone would make one to fit larger wrists. I can find leather, nato, even nylon/canvas. But no rubber straps
Does it bother anyone else that he has the lower strap on backwards? The bonetto...
Holy shit! Youre right!
That was seriously informative. I had no idea that there is a market for $140 rubber watch bands, let alone $600 ones! I'm a wristwatch neophyte as you probably just ascertained by my ignorance. Oh, and others have commented that this video contains a very important message about birth control methods. Thank you for your social conscience, Nick.
Absolutely. Use a quality Rubber, or you’ll never be able to buy nice watches again.
Nick Shabazz That goes right back to your "Buy once, cry once" video, for sure!
Bonetto make Iso ;) it's the vanilla scent they infuse into the Italian rubber that is the telltale sign ;)
It looks like the Cinturini originally had a Hokusai wave (or something that looks really similar) on the end of the strap. I wonder if they're marketing these as replacements for the SKX?
Yes, it's the Hot Tuna model with the stamp still there. It's the 284 model available at Holben's.
The strap I have on my G-Shock looks much more well made than that blue one... Black one looks pretty cool... Would like to see it on the watch though... Maybe you should just buy another Omega for... ya know... just comparison sake... I'm sure the wife will understand... Tell her it's a tax write-off...
JS Krawz Well, thats because g-shocks are just freaking amazing, cant expect that from every bracelet-producing company
$140 for a rubber? I’d want a bloody reach around for that sort of price. 😆
Nothing wrong with a Barton or an Uncle Seiko waffle/tropical to my mind.
This is a very old review, but the reviewer needs to realize that dive watch straps are made longer to allow them to be worn outside of a wetsuit when necessary. Maybe do some research next time.
isoframe all the way...had mine since 2010. keep it clean. TOOTH BRUSH!
I wasted so much money of naff cheap rubber straps. The Isofrane is the best by a long way.
Bonetto are good and better value, but design wise, meh.
Bc straps are as good as the iso overall. And that scent
Hey Nick my old edc knife is breaking and I need a new one. I can spend up to 115$ and I was thinking about the 550 griptilian. What do you think?
I loathe how some AP and Patek watches come with rubber straps it feels so ironic
Why?
Borealis makes the same Isofrane for $30.
140$ is cheap for a band lol I spent 650$ just for my band!
Got a couple of Isoframe straps but only for my thicker watches as a sporty option, I have tried the 600$ Omega rubber strap and it is not worth the money. I rather prefer the Isoframe but I prefer a clasp instead of a tang, so I am looking for a really good rubber strap with a great clasp as it is my preferred option. But most of the time I wear my watches on a bracelet and don't know why, but there is something satisfying and reassuring with a really good metal bracelet.
Agreed. I keep telling Isofrane that they need to get a nice, adjustable Deployant clasp. That’d be the best of both worlds.
Seiko make a nice one that I have on a kinetic arctura - middle thickness rubber (probably between the 2 in this review) & a decent milled deployment. Only slight hassle is that you do have to cut the rubber to size. Oris also make a similar strap. I'm sure someone will tell you who makes an after-market version sometime.
Nice but... expensive( the first one) the second is value for money, nice and not so expensive.
Toxic Nato has rubber straps like isofrane for 30 bucks. I think isofrane is a rip-off.
Never tried the Toxic Nato versions. Might have to!
Borealis has great rubber straps, same style as Toxic Nato and Isofrane, for 25
Nick Shabazz There is no way the Isofrane is $100 better than the Toxic Magnum. I have the Toxic and it's excellent!
You should have paused the video, to show us the Isofrane, actually on the watch,, imho..
I get that rubber is hard to beat for water resistance and durability. If you have a high end sports oriented watch, I guess I can see why you would want a watch band with all of the advantages you would get with a rubber band, but come on... We can't find anything other than rubber for a high end element proof, durable watch band? I got a dozen gshocks with rubber bands, I don't want rubber on my planet ocean.
Good Rubber is miles above the G-Shock style clasps. The Rubber I’m wearing my Breitling Aerospace on is one of my favorite straps ever.
Luxury rubber bracelets? What is wrong with you watch people. Buy knives and be happy. Weirdos
God I love ur accent
Quater of the price? Ummm try an eighth and keep going
Yikes... Isofrane is nuts, borealis watches has great ones, same design for $50.
Cool. A video that’s not about a stupid knife.
Cylocone straps feel better and the keepers won't break as easy as they would on a rubber strap. I would never pay what you paid for a rubber strap.
I hate rubber bands with pin buckle, without deployment clasp they aren’t worth 10 bucks
I think I would rather have a nylon strap if I were forced away from metal. Rubber is not to my liking
Sorry, that's nuts.
You might do better with an Uncle Seiko at $40
yes thick rubber strap is major no no !
the high end is assuredly better but to me not 400% better .. then again i dont wear nor have money for multiple thousand dollar watches
Leather or a stainless Mesh kinda strap... everything else is ridiculous...
Opinion noted!
That's not a guy. It's a strap!
bevi una camomilla prima del prossimo video
Price aside, I find the clasp and holes on the black one pretty ugly... I love that its milled and everything, but from the thumbnail I was 100% sure that the black one was the budget strap just from the top view and looks.
Crafter Blue straps are just as good in quality and run around 65 bucks.
You get what you pay for.
Ari W. I gotta disagree on that as a blanket statement, percieved value created by effective marketing is not real value. Anyone remember "investing" in Beanie Babies?
wouldn't be caught dead spending 140 on a piece of rubber, thats just rich folk nonsense if we're all being completely honest