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Adjustable Metal Watchbands- Are they the way to go?

Judge

Judge

Well-Known Member
V.I.P Member
Getting tired of having to replace so-called "leather" watchbands that seem to decompose so easily lasting only months- not years.

Previous to the leather-styled bands, for decades I wore a "Twistoflex" watchband that was not particularly comfortable nor adjustable. Where I had to disassemble the band I best I could to end up making it permanently overly-tight. So transitioning to leather was most welcome, mostly because it was comfortable. But the damn things don't last, much like Logitech keyboards prematurely losing their lettering.

This looks logical, a metal mesh band that not only stretches, but is fully adjustable with a very simple device. One I'm hoping to last considerably longer. Is it the way to go under the circumstances? Asking a question of physical comfort of an AI search engine seems pointless...and for sentimental reasons I want to continue wearing my Seiko watch to the end of my days. A Christmas gift my mother gave me many years ago.

Amazon.com: uxcell Mesh Watch Bands for Men Women, Stainless Steel Quick Release Mesh Watch Strap Milanese Bracelet Adjustable Replacement Wristband with Tools for Gifts (18mm, Gold) : Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry
 
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I wear a steel wristwatch on a steel band. It's not comfortable at first but as it wears in, it's fine. Unbreakable and very much rugged.

It's the one that came with my Seiko 5 self winding watch. Not a great band but better ones are available on the aftermarket. Would definitely recommend steel, not flexible, not leather, once you take links out to adjust it you should be very much ready to go.
 
Hazel_1914 said:
I wear a steel wristwatch on a steel band. It's not comfortable at first but as it wears in, it's fine. Unbreakable and very much rugged.

It's the one that came with my Seiko 5 self winding watch. Not a great band but better ones are available on the aftermarket. Would definitely recommend steel, not flexible, not leather, once you take links out to adjust it you should be very much ready to go.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Sounds positive compared to how each time I cinch up my "leather" band for a proper fit. When it stretches to a point that wear begins to break at the surface and slowly get worse.

Without cinching it up, the band is simply too loose to wear. An issue wearing a stretchable metal mesh band won't have.
 
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FayetheADHDsquirrel said:
I like the rubber watch bands.
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I wore an adjustable one decades ago with a skindiving watch I liked very much. However its non-porous material made my wrist get all sweaty- even with perforations. Though it did stand all the cinching up I routinely do. It's a thought, but one with potential sensitivity issues.

But it does make me wonder about "hybrid watchbands" as well. Which might stand up better. And seem more leather-like in appearance. Interesting. Found a link, but no 18mm widths:

Hybrid Watch Straps – Leather & Rubber Fusion

Not an issue I had wearing a metal twisto-flex watch band, though it too was uncomfortable as it was not adjustable as well, where I had to use tools to primitively remove one too many individual bands. User error. Not recommended, either. :oops:

I'm hoping a modern metal one made with mesh will allow my skin to breath, apart from being completely adjustable without traditional pins and holes one finds on leather bands that can result in being either too-tight or too-loose.
 
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I got a steel wachband that is made of links. It doesn't stretch but it came with a tool to remove the right amount of links so that you get the right fit. This one below is specific to my Fitbit, but you can find generic watchbands like that for normal watches. https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08K7GTBTH?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

I find it really comfortable. I didn't find the rubber band it came with uncomfortable but I did find it gave off funky odors. No issues with the stainless steel band.
 
Simple practicality ruled things for me, partly climate and partly the industrial environment I worked in.

The southern hemisphere has much stronger UV exposure than the north, rubber and plastics rot and disintegrate at an incredibly fast rate. Rubber or plastic watch bands have a life expectancy of a little over 12 months.

Elasticised bands have the same problem.

Leather also deteriorates pretty quickly if you don't look after it very well, and even if you do look after it it's going to wear out reasonably quickly but at least it doesn't make you sweat and stink like plastics do.

A watch band I wore for 20 years was very similar to the one Jay mentions. Pure metal, no synthetic parts. I removed the correct number of links to make it a perfect fit and that was it, I didn't take that watch off again except when it was time to change the batteries. I lost too many watches by dropping them in workplace wash rooms so I bought a waterproof watch and simply never took it off.
 
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