The 7 Best Straps for the Citizen Nighthawk

At a Glance

Category	Our Pick	Price
Best Overall	Olive Green Sailcloth Signature Strap	$110
Best Dressy	Matte Black Alligator Signature Strap	$205
Best Everyday	Fauve Baranil Signature Strap	$110
Best Minimalist	Black Epsom Slim Strap	$110
Best Sporty	Black Pilot CTS Rubber Strap	$145
Best Casual	Mocha Crazy Horse Side-Stitch Strap	$110
Wildcard	Desert Dunes Terrain Strap	$110

The Citizen Nighthawk is one of those watches that shouldn't work on paper but absolutely nails it on the wrist. A busy slide-rule bezel, dual time zone, a dial crammed with more information than an air traffic control screen — and yet somehow, it all comes together into one of the most beloved pilot watches under $400. There's a reason this thing has a cult following.

What makes the Nighthawk special isn't just the aviation instrument dial or the Eco-Drive movement that'll outlast your motivation to wind a mechanical watch. It's the sheer value proposition. For the price of a nice dinner for two, you get a genuinely capable pilot's tool watch with 200 meters of water resistance, a screw-down crown, and a presence on the wrist that punches well above its weight class.

But here's the thing — the stock bracelet, while decent, doesn't do the Nighthawk justice. Swapping it onto a quality strap is the single best upgrade you can make to this watch. Whether you want to lean into the aviation heritage with a sailcloth or pilot-style rubber, dress it up with exotic leather, or go full weekend warrior with a rugged Crazy Horse strap, I've tested and picked the seven best options from our lineup. Every Delugs strap comes with quick-release spring bars pre-installed, so swapping takes about 15 seconds. Let's get into it.

Citizen Nighthawk BJ7000-52E Quick Specs

Case Diameter	42mm
Thickness	12.4mm
Lug-to-Lug	~48mm
Lug Width	22mm
Movement	Eco-Drive E812
Water Resistance	200m
Crystal	Mineral

Browse All Citizen Nighthawk Straps →

1. Best Overall: Olive Green Sailcloth Signature Strap — $110

If I had to put just one strap on a Nighthawk and never take it off, it'd be this one. The Olive Green Sailcloth Signature nails the aviation aesthetic without trying too hard. The military-inspired green pairs beautifully with the Nighthawk's black dial, and the woven sailcloth texture adds a tactile quality that feels right at home on a pilot's watch. At 4.5mm thick with our Signature taper, it gives the Nighthawk some wrist presence without looking overbuilt.

What really seals the deal is the practicality. Sailcloth is water-resistant, breathable, and tough as nails — exactly what you want on a watch rated to 200 meters. Whether you're traveling, hiking, or just smashing through a Monday at the office, this strap handles it all without breaking a sweat. At $110, it's a no-brainer for the Nighthawk.

Thickness: 4.5mm | Water-Resistant: Yes | Profile: Signature

Also available in: Black · Navy · Grey · Brown · Orange · White

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2. Best Dressy: Matte Black Alligator Signature Strap — $205

I know what you're thinking — alligator on a Citizen? Trust me on this one. The Matte Black Alligator Signature transforms the Nighthawk from a capable tool watch into something that commands a second look. The matte finish is key here; it keeps the strap grounded and masculine rather than flashy, which is exactly what you want against that busy instrument dial. The scale pattern adds visual depth without competing for attention.

This is the strap for when you want to wear the Nighthawk with a blazer or to a dinner that's a notch above casual. The Signature profile tapers from 4.5mm at the lugs to 2.2mm at the buckle, giving you that padded, luxurious look that elevates the entire package. It's the most expensive pick on this list, but exotic leather is an investment that ages gracefully.

Thickness: 4.5-2.2mm | Water-Resistant: No | Profile: Signature

Also available in: Navy · Dark Brown · Dolphin Grey · Cognac · Grey Storm

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3. Best Everyday: Fauve Baranil Signature Strap — $110

Here's where the Nighthawk gets interesting. The Fauve Baranil Signature in that warm, golden-brown "fauve" tone creates a striking contrast against the black dial. Baranil leather is sourced from Haas, one of the most respected French tanneries, and it develops a gorgeous patina over time. Every mark, every crease tells a story — which is exactly the kind of character a daily-wear pilot watch deserves.

What makes this the perfect everyday strap is the balance of formality and ruggedness. The Signature profile gives it enough structure to look sharp with a button-down, while the natural grain and warm tones keep it firmly in casual territory. After a few months of daily wear, the leather softens and the color deepens in a way that synthetic materials simply can't replicate. At $110 for Haas leather, this is exceptional value.

Thickness: 4.5-2.2mm | Water-Resistant: No | Patina: Yes | Tannery: Haas | Profile: Signature

Also available in: Black · Navy · Cobalt · Marron · Grey

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4. Best Minimalist: Black Epsom Slim Strap — $110

The Nighthawk's dial is anything but minimal, so sometimes the best move is to let the watch do all the talking. The Black Epsom Slim at just 2.2mm thick disappears under the watch head, creating a clean, understated look that puts all the attention on that gorgeous instrument dial. Epsom leather, also from Haas tannery, features a subtle cross-hatch grain that's refined without being precious.

The practical benefits are just as compelling. Epsom is one of the most water-resistant leathers available, making it a smart daily driver for a watch that's built to handle the elements. The slim profile also means it sits incredibly flat on the wrist and tucks under a shirt cuff with zero fuss. If you're someone who appreciates the Nighthawk's complexity but wants the strap to stay out of the conversation, this is your pick.

Thickness: 2.2mm | Water-Resistant: Yes | Tannery: Haas | Profile: Slim

Also available in: Navy · Tinware Grey · Hunter Green · Taupe · Orange

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5. Best Sporty: Black Pilot CTS Rubber Strap — $145

This one almost feels like it was designed with the Nighthawk in mind. The Pilot texture pattern on our CTS rubber features a repeating aviation-inspired motif that echoes the instrument theme of the watch itself. It's a subtle design detail that most people won't notice at arm's length, but it creates a cohesive look that just feels right on a pilot watch.

Performance-wise, CTS rubber is the real deal. It's soft enough to be comfortable on the wrist all day but firm enough to never feel cheap or floppy. Completely waterproof, hypoallergenic, and practically indestructible, this is the strap you reach for when you know the day is going to be active. Traveling, swimming, sweating through a summer day — the Pilot rubber handles it all without complaint. The 22mm width fills the lug space perfectly, giving the Nighthawk that integrated tool-watch look.

Water-Resistant: Yes | Profile: Standard

Also available in: Navy · Grey · Olive Green · Orange · White

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6. Best Casual: Mocha Crazy Horse Side-Stitch Strap — $110

This is the strap that gives your Nighthawk a bomber jacket. The Mocha Crazy Horse Side-Stitch has that rugged, lived-in character that pairs naturally with a pilot watch — think vintage aviation leather, hand-stitched and ready for adventure. The contrast side stitching adds a handcrafted touch that you'll appreciate every time you glance at your wrist. At 2.5mm thick, it's substantial without being bulky.

Crazy Horse leather is a pull-up leather, which means it lightens and shifts color when you bend or scratch it. On a weekend watch like the Nighthawk, that kind of patina development is a feature, not a bug. After a few months, the mocha tone deepens into rich, uneven tones that make the strap look like it's been on expeditions with you. This is the pick for Nighthawk owners who wear their watches hard and want a strap that wears just as hard right alongside them.

Thickness: 2.5mm | Patina: Yes | Profile: Side-Stitch

Also available in: Black · Tan · Cognac · Rust · Green

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7. Wildcard: Desert Dunes Terrain Strap — $110

If the Nighthawk is an instrument for exploring the world, the Desert Dunes Terrain Strap looks like it just came back from somewhere interesting. Part of our limited Terrain Collection, this strap features a sandy, desert-inspired texture that's unlike anything else in the lineup. It's the kind of strap that makes people ask where you got it — and isn't that half the fun of wearing a watch?

Beyond the looks, the Desert Dunes is practical at 2.2mm thick, so it keeps a low profile under the Nighthawk's 42mm case. The warm sandy tones create an unexpectedly great contrast with the black dial, almost like a vintage military watch on a canvas field strap. If you've already got the basics covered and want something that sets your Nighthawk apart from every other one out there, this is the wildcard pick that'll do it.

Thickness: 2.2mm | Profile: Terrain Collection

Also available in: Concrete Jungle · Mud Flats · Woodland Forest · Stormy Seashore

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Essential Accessories

If your Nighthawk is still on its stock bracelet, you'll need a way to get it off. Our Bracelet Removal Tool makes the job quick and painless — no scratched lugs, no bent spring bars, just clean removal in under a minute. It's a one-time investment that pays for itself every time you swap straps.

For Nighthawk owners who want a more secure clasp system, our Spring Deployant Clasp is worth a look. It adds a folding clasp mechanism to any leather or sailcloth strap, which means you get the convenience of a bracelet-style clasp with the comfort and style of a strap. Particularly handy if you're worried about the watch slipping off during active wear.

About Delugs

Delugs is a Singapore-based watch strap maker specializing in premium handcrafted straps using leathers sourced from the world's finest tanneries — including Haas, Horween, Badalassi Carlo, and Conceria Walpier. Every strap ships with quick-release spring bars pre-installed, so you can swap straps in seconds without any tools.

Not sure which strap is right for your Nighthawk? Our team is available via 24/7 live chat on our website to help you find the perfect match for your watch, wrist size, and personal style. We're watch enthusiasts ourselves, and we genuinely enjoy helping people find the right strap.

Find Your Perfect Citizen Nighthawk Strap →