Strap Guide written by @thewatchphoto.
Vacheron Constantin needs no introduction. The company had already celebrated its centennial anniversary before some of today’s most well-known watch brands even existed. So when the opportunity to pick up the quintessential Vacheron dress watch came up last year and I began weighing the pros and cons, I had one fear: I worried that I might not wear it enough due to how formal it is--for context, these typically come on black alligator straps. The thing about well-designed dress watches, however, is that they can easily be dressed up or down with a quick strap change. Follow along as I explore several options on the formality spectrum.
Strap Guide written by @wh1chw4tch.
The Tudor Black Bay 58 is widely known among watch nerds as a total “strap monster”. However the Blue version? Not so much. Well folks, I’m here to dispel that myth and prove unequivocally that the BB58 Blue can handle any leather strap you throw at it, and looks darn good in the process! Now full disclosure, some of my photography is a little unorthodox for a Strap Guide. But I hope these shots showcase how different straps can compliment the beautiful blue dial of the Tudor, and inspire you to FINALLY TAKE OFF THAT BRACELET!
Strap Guide written by @samsveblenianobsession.
The Reverso is a watch that needs little introduction. From its rectangular case shape to its Art Deco flourishes to its reversible face, this watch defines what it means to be an icon. Born for the polo fields, it is an early example of a watch purposed for sport, though over time it has become viewed as a dress watch. I don’t think it has to be one or another. This is where the importance of a good strap comes into play: while I agree the watch dresses up beautifully, with the right straps, the Reverso can be worn quite casually. Thanks to Ken and the good people at Delugs, I have a lot of fun options.
Strap Guide written by @onefree5ole.
The Lange 1815 Up Down is a watch I knew I wanted the first time I set sights on it on a few Instagram accounts. The combination of classic pocket watch design with the beautiful blue hands and the hue of that rose gold case just spoke to me. Lange makes incredible watches with amazing caseback too and as a result, I was convinced that this piece would be the first Lange in my collection and possibly the only one I will ever need. When I add dress watches to my collection, I need it to also look the part casually too and I was convinced that with a 20mm lug width, this 1815 will play well with a variety of looks. So this is my guide for 5 different looks you could pair with the 1815 Up Down.
Strap Guide written by @thespeedyshutter.
In an attempt to slow down a bit, for my 30th birthday, I wanted to buy something that I would feel comfortable hanging on to that would stand the test of time. A “keeper” if you will. I spent almost a year thinking about it, and as time passed, it got clearer and clearer that it was a Cartier Tank I wanted. A design that has survived over a hundred years, that can be dressed up or down with ease.
Strap Guide written by @averagewatches.
I think when many Rolex Explorer owners consider their watch, the first word that comes to mind is “versatility”. With a highly legible black dial, a practical 100m water resistance, and a clean, classic style that has remained largely unchanged since its first iteration in 1953, the Explorer checks all the boxes for a GADA (Go Anywhere Do Anything) watch.
Strap Guide written by @wonger.bonger.
When Ken approached me to do a strap guide for the Polerouter, I wanted to do something different. As we all know, the Polerouter looks great on many different straps. However, I wanted to really show that the Polerouter can do so much better than just different shades of brown and black. It’s easy to pair the Polerouter with a nice matte brown croc strap and call it a day. However, for this strap guide, I took it as a challenge to find unexpected pairings that normally one wouldn’t expect the Polerouter to pull off. Here are my choices.
Strap Guide written by @24horiginal.
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.
