Strap Guide written by @watchaddictwt. Thank you Woody!
Introduction
Grand Seiko is a watch brand I am very fond of. It is well known for its nature-inspired dial work, its incredible case-finishing and also innovative movements. To me one technology Grand Seiko has that allows it to stand out amongst its peers is definitely the Spring Drive technology. Nowhere else will you find a sweep so smooth that there is absolutely no step in its movement even in slow-motion – truly mesmerizing. So, when the new 9RA2 with 5-day power reserve was announced, it was only going to be a matter of time before I would add one into the collection. When the original Hi-Beat White Birch came out, I found it a bit too flashy for my personal tastes, so when the subtler Spring Drive SLGA009 was released at the start of 2022, I just had to add this to my collection. With its much subtler dial texture, this watch has all the makings of being great with straps. So without further ado, allow me to showcase a few Delugs pairings that I believe allow this watch to truly shine!
Matte Black Alligator Signature Strap – The One for the Formal Occasion
This pairing with the black alligator strap will probably be 100% approved by the folks at Grand Seiko. It dresses up the watch perfectly and adds a touch of formality to the watch. I would go as far as to say that it makes it black-tie ready and turns the sportier SLGA009 to a proper dress watch.
Navy Shell Cordovan Slim Strap – The One for a Navy Suit / Business Casual
I generally like to find straps that complement an element on the dial. In this case, it would be the heat-blued seconds hand on the White Birch. The latter goes really well with the deep Navy on the Cordovan strap. The strap’s gloss also comes to the fore under the right light conditions. Definitely one to pair with a navy suit or even a more casual wardrobe choice.
Light Grey Nubuck Slim Strap – The One that allows the Dial to take the Spotlight
There’s a reason why this strap is one of Delugs’ bestselling models. It goes well with anything with a steel case, particularly when it is a white dial. It also allows the spotlight to remain on the dial of the watch and acts as an ideal supporting act. And in the case of this White Birch Spring Drive, that’s exactly what you would want. A great every-day choice!
Taupe Saffiano Stitchless Strap – The One of Complementary Texture
I like this pairing as the Saffiano leather texture feels right at home in complementing the inspiration of the SLGA009’s White Birch dial. It is a strap pairing that is a touch more on the casual side but one that is very soothing on the eye and feels like it belongs right at home in the same environment that inspired the artisans at the Shinshu studios of Grand Seiko to come up with this subtler dial design of the SLGA009.
Cognac Crazy Horse Side-Stitch Strap – The One that brings out the Casual Side of the White Birch
Every good watch deserves a casual strap that is ideal on a day out at your neighborhood café for a cup of coffee (or green tea) or even as your accompaniment on an afternoon drive. I believe the Crazy Horse Side-Stitch strap is just the ticket to dress down the watch whilst letting you get happily lost in that mesmerizing sweep of the Spring Drive seconds hand.
And there you have it, 5 straps that cover the gamut of versatility that the Grand Seiko White Birch brings to the table (and to your wrist). I hope you enjoyed this Strap Guide as much as I did putting it together!
Extra Information
- Reference: Grand Seiko White Birch Spring Drive SLGA009
- Case Size: 40mm
- Lug-to-Lug: 47.6mm
- Thickness: 11.8mm
- Lug Width: 22mm
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!
