Introduction
The SBGW231 is without a doubt my favorite Grand Seiko watch. It’s a beautifully executed watch, with impeccable mirror polishing on the case and the dial. The way light bounces off the applied indices and three hands is fascinating and stays true to Grand Seiko’s decades old design language. While the SBGW231 does not feature an exotic dial like the Grand Seiko Snowflake and other modern models, its simple and creamy dial makes it a strap monster, and a watch which can be easily dressed down or up. I usually pair the watch with Delugs’ Matte Black Alligator Signature Strap, but I wanted to explore different leather types, styles and colors. In this guide, I look at 5 different straps from Delugs for the Grand Seiko SBGW231.
Dark Brown Nubuck Row-Stitch Strap
Brown and off-white always go well together, and this is no exception. The brown nubuck leather has a really soft and pleasant texture. It is super comfortable and a great way to dress down this watch for casual wear. This is the first time I ever see and try a row-stitch strap (which does not have stitches on the sides) and I have to say it removed any initial doubts I had about this style of strap. The selective stitching (there is a side-stitch on the buckle end as well) focuses on the critical stress points of a strap and ensures durability.Green Crazy Horse Side-Stitch Strap
Nubuck and Pueblo are two of my favorites leather styles from Delugs. What happens when you mix both? You get Crazy Horse leather, combining the smooth surface of Pueblo and the soft texture of Nubuck. Can’t help but fall in love with that green color. The perfect strap to dress down the SBGW231. This side-stitch strap is very similar in construction to the row-stitch strap above and I get the impression it is quite durable.
Chicago Blue Russian Hatch Grain Slim Strap
I have to admit this strap blew me away and actually gave me goosebumps. I have flirted with buying it many times before, but somehow didn’t. The reality is that pictures don’t do it justice, maybe that is because the texture and color combination is not very pronounced. It does look spectacular in the flesh, however, and works perfectly on the SBGW231. It is the kind of strap you can keep on the watch for all occasions.
Colibri Chevre Slim Strap
Chevre straps are not very common. Produced in the south of France, this goatskin leather has a smooth surface and slight gloss. It feels natural, raw and unique. That’s not all, chevre straps are highly water and scratch resistant. The Colibri light blue color is very refreshing and ideal for casual attire.
Matte Grey Storm Alligator Signature Strap
An alligator strap is one of the best ways to dress up a watch. Having said that, the matte grey color is very versatile, since it has no gloss, and can be easily worn with casual attire. This strap is pure class and an easy pick for the SBGW231.
Extra Information
- Reference: Grand Seiko SBGW231
- Case Size: 37.3mm
- Lug-to-Lug: 44.3mm
- Thickness: 11.6mm
- Lug Width: 19mm
If you enjoyed this Strap Guide, be sure to check out the rest of our Strap Guides for more inspirations!
Strap Guide written by @gingin_watches.
Not a big fan of Panerai watches but I like this one.
That was my initial reaction to this watch. I’m not a Panerai guy, but this one is unusual. I like unusual things. So I assumed that 959 is the right PAM for me. Not too big, not too thick and the colorway is interesting.
But there is a drawback. It’s not that easy to match a strap. Which probably was the sole reason for lack of love between us, as I find the OEM rubber strap simply awful. Fortunately things have changed, thanks to the straps mentioned below. Having the right strap can make all the difference.
Let’s take a look at the watch. 42mm in diameter, 13mm thickness, 52mm lug to lug and 22mm lug width in a regular Luminor Submersible case. Panerai for smaller wrists, as they say.
The most distinctive features are the matte blue ceramic bezel, light grey textured dial and turquoise blue seconds hand. These colors and textures will play a big factor in pairing the strap.
Strap Guide written by @olli.ver.
Hi, it’s Oliver (@olli.ver) again and this time I’m happy to present you some impressions of my Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch „First Omega In Space“.
Presented at Baselworld 2012 the Speedmaster „First Omega In Space“ or so called „FOIS“ refers to the CK2998, worn by Walter Shirra during the „Sigma 7“ mission of the Mercury Programme in 1962. 50 years later this modern re-interpretation was released with some slightly redesigned elements but still features the black dial, black bezel and stainless steel case with the diameter of 39,7mm, symmetric lugs and no crown guards as the original one. It also got similar Alpha and Baton style hands. On the caseback you can find the „Hippocampus“ or Seahorse that you could also find on Shirra’s watch. Besides that, as a „Numbered Edition“ every FOIS got it’s own serial number. Inside the case, the actual model runs with Omega’s well-known 1861 movement.
But to keep this a bit short and simple, let’s start with the showcase of some straps to maybe provide some inspiration of how this speedy works with different styles.
Strap Guide written by @ikemadethis.
Once in a while, the people get what they want. The Tudor Pelagos was first released in 2012 coming in at a large wearing 42mm. It wasn’t the diameter that made it wear large. Rather, it was the slab sided case giving the visual appearance of a top heavy watch. Enthusiasts have been praying to the watch gods ever since for a smaller version. The Black Bay 58 was the first of Tudor’s recent dive watches to be downsized so it was only a matter of time before the Pelagos would get a reduction as well. Enter the Pelagos 39. It's a titanium watch coming in at 39mm across the case but closer to 40mm across the bezel. Speaking of the bezel, we get a radial brushed fully lumed ceramic insert over the matte version of its big brother. This is a feature that has grown on me with ownership. It gives the watch a more dynamic appearance with the bezel looking from stark black to a ghost gray depending on the lighting. Most importantly, the Pelagos remains a strap monster. The lugs are an odd width at 21mm but as usual, Delugs to the rescue!
