1. Pros and Cons of Watchband Materials
We all have favorite watches which we often subconsciously or
habitually wear whenever we go outside. Of course, the more
we use something, the more they wear out and watches are no
exception. In a sturdy old watch, the watchband is often the first
to go though the case is sometimes the opposite for cheap
watches.
The watches we bought or given to us as a present came with a
watchband made of either plastic, metal, rubber or leather
which after a while gets broken, worn out or outgrown and
needs to be replaced. Some watches only look good when
partnered with one type of watchband while others can be
paired with other materials. Of course, when replacing watchband, one has to consider the looks or the
style, the fit, the comfort, sturdiness and other factors. Some materials are better than others in the
previously mentioned departments. The following are the pros and cons when choosing the material for the
watchband.
Metal
Metal watchbands often come with expensive watches or fancy rip-offs. These metal watchbands can be
alloys of gold, platinum, silver, bronze or stainless steel. They’re good for formal parties and other social
occasions as well as job interviews and meetings. Metal watchbands are also very sturdy. However,
depending on the metal, they are subject to scratches, fading or corrode when they react to sweat. They
are also heavy and can snag the wrist hairs of hairy people. Watches made with precious metals are also
subject to theft.
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2. Leather
Another watchband for casual to formal occasions is Leather. Like metal, this band is quite common for
casual and formal watches. Leather comes in various styles and colors depending on the animal skin it’s
made from. Exotic leather watchbands can be from cow hide, snake, alligator, crocodile, lizard, eel, shark,
ostrich and other types of animal skin. Fine quality cow leather can also be embossed with all the patterns
and colors of the above as cheaper alternatives to those products. The best way to tell the difference is by
checking the stamp on the reverse side of the watch band. A watch band that is stamped lizard grain, is a
cow leather watchband embossed with a lizard pattern. A watchband with genuine lizard on the back is
exactly that – genuine lizard skin, and as such will be a far more expensive item. Leather watchbands are
lighter than metal and comfortable to wear. However, leather wears out easily and can absorb sweat and
smell. Imitation leather or vinyl watch bands that wear out very quickly are less than ideal.
Rubber
Non-formal outdoor wristwatches like divers’ watches often come with Rubber watchbands. Rubber is a
flexible material and like plastic, can be shaped in different styles for various occasions. Some rubber
watchbands are stylish and colorful. Rubber doesn’t smell like nylon or leather and is also lighter than metal.
Rubber watchbands are sometimes cheap and often comfortable and unlike leather or fabric, they don’t get
smelly. However, some rubber can easily break at the point of attachment on the watch body especially the
soft type silicone ones. Silicone rubber watchbands have a tendency to pick up lint and dust which can be
hard to wipe or shake off. Some rubber watchbands turn brittle over time, unless made of UV stabilized
material.
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3. Nylon
Nylon watchbands are light, sometimes lighter than leather. They can be made in different designs, styles
and colors but are hardly appropriate for formal and social occasions. However, nylon, like rubber can get
uncomfortable when they get wet and like leather can absorb sweat and smells. Nylon also frays over time
with continuous use.
Plastic
And last are Plastic watchbands. Plastic can be shaped, colored and be made into various styles and may be
sturdier than some rubber and silicone watchbands, and doesn’t fray like nylon. Plastic is cheaper than the
other watchbands, but the cheapest ones are very often uncomfortable. Like nylon and rubber plastic is not
suited for many social occasions except for jogging, the beach or informal parties.
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4. Comfort, style and strength are relative terms depending on the owner. Some people are more suited to
leather or rubber while some people are more inclined to metal. It all comes down to individual taste and
the occasion. For those who can’t make up their minds, there are some high-end watches on the market
that come with a set of five to ten different watchbands of different materials colors and materials.
Alternatively, you could purchase a great replacement watch band from Eclipz our eBay store partners.
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