Best strap for sweltering hot weather

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Best strap for sweltering hot weather

Post by Internaut »

It's going to be a Trident weekend. In fact, it's going to be Trident week as I put the Sealander GMT away for a few days (or more). The weather here in the UK (even here up North) is forecast to break a few records. It's going to be sweltering. With this in mind,I'm wondering what the best strap to swap in will be on the very hottest days? My options are:
  • Black leather
  • CW hybrid rubber (already installed)
  • Tide material (suspect this might be the answer, as it wears so loose, but open to suggestion)
  • Cheap silicone I picked up of eBay.
What would be the view of our assembled experts?
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Amor Vincit Omnia
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Re: Best strap for sweltering hot weather

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

I find that the hybrid is good in warm weather. A quick rinse under the tap since your watch has WR, and it dries pretty instantly.
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Re: Best strap for sweltering hot weather

Post by exHowfener »

I don't own a tide strap, but there have recently been some comments on the forum about the lengthy drying time. So why not give it a rinse/wetting before wearing and let it dry on your wrist, thereby cooling you a bit?
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Re: Best strap for sweltering hot weather

Post by jkbarnes »

Definitely not the leather!

While I don’t have a CW hybrid, I’ve have a Hirsch watch band that is similar. It was my go to summer strap before the bracelet showed up. Like the hybrid, the rubber underside was channeled to allow for air circulation. And it holds up brilliantly to water.

Nowadays, it’s mainly a bracelet in the summer for me on my main watch. My diver gets a rubber strap, the tide, or a NATO.
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Re: Best strap for sweltering hot weather

Post by tikkathree »

exHowfener wrote: Thu Jul 14, 2022 10:32 am I don't own a tide strap, but there have recently been some comments on the forum about the lengthy drying time. So why not give it a rinse/wetting before wearing and let it dry on your wrist, thereby cooling you a bit?
Ooh get you with your immensely practical and thoughtful advice :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: That really is a good idea.

I speak as one who this week has been fidgetting around with sized to fit on the other 360 days of the year when one's body parts aren't swelling in the heat bracelets in steel and titanium.

My inner arms have been showing reaction to the heat, possibly as a side effect to some long term medication and have been itching like billy-o. I even took an emery cloth to the sharp edges of one non-CW titanium bracelet - that worked.

I was so concerned this morning that I considered a pocket watch just to give my wrist some respite and I did consider the Tide strap tbh but instead went for a lovely soft perlon strapon which one of my C600 Tritechs live.

In the end the weather was a bit more normal :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: Best strap for sweltering hot weather

Post by StrapMeister »

FWIW I've switched over some of my watches to CW Hybrid; Barton Elite Silicone and ZD FKM rubber straps.

EDIT: ...and as we all like pics
Straps 01.jpg
Straps 02.jpg
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Re: Best strap for sweltering hot weather

Post by asqwerth »

StrapMeister wrote: Thu Jul 14, 2022 2:23 pm FWIW I've switched over some of my watches to CW Hybrid; Barton Elite Silicone and ZD FKM rubber straps.

EDIT: ...and as we all like pics
Straps 01.jpg.....
I see your red 2012 FLE still has its pip. :problem:

What strap is it on?
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Re: Best strap for sweltering hot weather

Post by StrapMeister »

asqwerth wrote: Thu Jul 14, 2022 3:17 pm I see your red 2012 FLE still has its pip. :problem:
I thought that you may pick up on that based on the picture and comment on yours.
I recently had this serviced at CW and it's running beautifully :D
asqwerth wrote: Thu Jul 14, 2022 3:17 pm What strap is it on?
It's a Barton Elite Silicone with QR pins, black top/crimson red bottom.
https://www.bartonwatchbands.com/produc ... e-silicone
...for the time being as I have a red Silicone Rubber with QR pins strap on the way.
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Re: Best strap for sweltering hot weather

Post by Alex r »

Got to be the Hybrid as long as it has the rubber back, and not leather like some of the sail cloth hybrids can't comment on how good the CW hybrid would be but of its anything like the one from under the cuff it's a no brainier.
It's been on my sealander since it arrived and can't see it changing.

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Re: Best strap for sweltering hot weather

Post by Kansas City Milkman »

StrapMeister wrote: Thu Jul 14, 2022 2:23 pm FWIW I've switched over some of my watches to CW Hybrid; Barton Elite Silicone and ZD FKM rubber straps.

EDIT: ...and as we all like pics
Straps 01.jpgStraps 02.jpg
What’s the general view on Barton Elite? I hear that silicone is a dust magnet. Is that true of the elite? Are they comfortable?

Any advice gratefully received as I might buy a couple.
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Re: Best strap for sweltering hot weather

Post by suicidal_orange »

I've been happily wearing bracelets and a perlon. Today I put on my C600 on a Hirsch Pure rubber strap and it's smooth back is a sweat trap, so there's another one to avoid.
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Re: Best strap for sweltering hot weather

Post by iain »

Kansas City Milkman wrote: Sat Jul 16, 2022 11:57 am What’s the general view on Barton Elite? I hear that silicone is a dust magnet. Is that true of the elite? Are they comfortable?

Any advice gratefully received as I might buy a couple.

I bought one for my Doxa, put it on and took it straight back off again. I can’t speak of the entire Barton range but I really didn’t like the silicon elite strap, it seemed cheap and flimsy and it’s currently sat in my strap box unworn.

I had high hopes as they seem to get pretty much universal acclaim but they aren’t for me.
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Re: Best strap for sweltering hot weather

Post by StrapMeister »

Kansas City Milkman wrote: Sat Jul 16, 2022 11:57 am
StrapMeister wrote: Thu Jul 14, 2022 2:23 pm FWIW I've switched over some of my watches to CW Hybrid; Barton Elite Silicone and ZD FKM rubber straps.

EDIT: ...and as we all like pics
Straps 01.jpgStraps 02.jpg
What’s the general view on Barton Elite? I hear that silicone is a dust magnet. Is that true of the elite? Are they comfortable?

Any advice gratefully received as I might buy a couple.
I certainly don't find them to be a dust magnet (you may find this with cheaper silicone straps).
I find them very comfortable, supple and easy to adjust the fit.
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Re: Best strap for sweltering hot weather

Post by Kansas City Milkman »

Thanks @iain and @strapmeister. Will ponder my options :)
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Re: Best strap for sweltering hot weather

Post by gannet »

I also have no problem with the barton elite. Love the locking keeper, no dust attaches to mine.

I might have a few more on the way...
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