Straps Find the watch strap to suit your individual style

New watch straps: A convenient way to customize your timepiece

Watchstraps are a valuable accessory for any watch enthusiast, since they can completely change a timepiece’s appearance and feel. Whether it’s about accessorizing for a special outfit or creating a new look, a change like switching the brown cow leather strap on an American Classic Collection watch for a blue textile NATO-style band will show the watch in a new light and change the way it feels to wear.

Switching out the strap of a watch is also ideal for adapting a watch to a certain purpose. For example, a fine calf leather watch strap may not be suitable for a beach vacation, since the sand, salt water and sun can discolor or damage the texture of the natural leather. A sport band – perhaps a NATO strap made of canvas or a rubber strap – is much more suitable for a summer watch that will receive plenty of exposure to the elements. Switching these out also ensures your original leather strap lasts longer.

What kind of straps are available?

Several kinds of strap are available for the various watch collections at Hamilton. The main differences between them relate to color, material and style. The range of materials includes types of leather, synthetic materials such as rubber, canvas or other textiles, and metal. The styles available are closely related to the choice of material. Metal, leather and rubber straps tend to be sold as two separate pieces, which attach to either side of the watch face, although some canvas straps are sold as a single piece – for example, the NATO strap, which passes underneath the watchcase.

Each watch collection has a wide variety of straps available so that the timepieces can be readily customized. Active collections such as the Khaki Navy Collection offer mainly canvas NATO or rubber straps, which allow the watches to be used in or out of the water without problems. By contrast, the Khaki Aviation Collection has a variety of sporty leather and NATO straps; several of the leather straps are imprinted with the iconic Hamilton ‘H’ and use a rugged double-pin buckle. The military-style watches in the Khaki Field Collection , can be combined with straps that similarly suggest an active lifestyle. They are available in leather, textile, and bracelet options.

Leather straps are primarily available for the watches in the Jazzmaster Collection , and American Classic collections, although a number of them are also offered with stainless steel watch bracelets. Choosing, for example, a tan brown ostrich leather strap with visible stitching, or a sleek black or navy cow leather watch band, will change the look and feel of the watch instantly without having to acquire a different watch.

What to look for in a watch strap

First and foremost, it is crucial that a new watch band will fit the watch. Watch bands differ in terms of their width at the point of contact with the watch. This is known as the lug width. The attaching mechanism also varies. The length of the watch strap is an important consideration too, particularly for those with large or small wrists. Of course, purchasing watch straps directly from Hamilton ensures that they will work with a particular watch. With so many options available, the possibilities for customizing the look of a timepiece or simply replacing a worn-out band are endless.