I've switched the white rubber strap on my C1 Bel Canto Phoenix to one from my Visitor Duneshore Shallows which, I feel, works better as;-

1. it's more pliable and therefore more comfortable (I've never been able to get on with the 'blocked' underside of the stiffer Hirsch Tiger performance strap), and

2. I feel the smooth surface with longitudinal grooves is a classier look, befitting the Bel Canto.







This is one of the most carefully designed straps I've come across. I'll let Phil from Visitor Watch Co explain;-

One-of-a-kind Strap

We also designed a unique NBR strap for the Shallows, inspired by the classic Riva Aquarama. Atop the strap, twin sets of long grooves are separated by a gap, just like the wood detail that runs along the top of the Aquarama.

Near the lugs, the sides of the strap are angled inward like the hull at the bow of the boat.






Then, as you move toward the tail of the strap (or stern) that angle twists out, once again mimicking the boat's design.








Finally, the tail terminates in an angled semi-circle, as seen on the Riva.




On the underside of the strap, there are ribbed, hollowed out sections to provide some extra airflow to your wrist and prevent sweat accumulation."



Cool, isn't it?

Guy


Sent from my Galaxy S23 Ultra using Tapatalk

My 3 for 2 strap order arrived yesterday.

This is one of them on my C12 VULCAN XII.









Guy

Sent from my Galaxy S23 Ultra using Tapatalk

My 3 for 2 strap order arrived a few days ago.

This is the second of them on my C1 Bel Canto Phoenix LE.







Guy

Sent from my Galaxy S23 Ultra using Tapatalk

I've switched back to a strap, from bracelet, on my Tudor Black Bay Heritage P-01.

It's a dark brown CW strap (most likely Cordovan leather) on Bader deployant. It's perfect on the P-01 as, with the extended lugs, one uses a strap that's about 2cm shorter than usual.

I've got an XS Cordovan with regular buckle that I've fitted the Tudor deployant to, but that has too sharp a curve on it (designed for a 6.5" to 7" wrist) that it digs into me.

I therefore found that a CW with Bader works a treat as I can put it on a short hole with the long tail underneath and the Bader sits in the right place on my wrist. However, I've only, to date, got a mid brown, croc grain with Bader that's not really the right style for the watch.
This is perfect, closely mirrors the OEM strap from Tudor and moreover, the Bader doesn't have any CW branding on the outside.











Guy

I’m generally on the fence about the Watches of Espionage site — I appreciate the tool-watch focus and ‘use your tools’ ethos, yet find the one-eyed boosterism of US intelligence agencies a bit hard to stomach. This new strap project, however, with Commando Hubert of the Marine Nationale, I found too compelling to pass up. It’s just arrived and I like it very much!