Category Archives: Genuine Leather Watch Bands

6 Designer Bracelets for the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Ref. 9022450

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph Reference 9022450

The formidable manufacturer Jaeger‑LeCoultre first began designing fine timepieces in 1833 in the heart of the Vallée de Joux, in the Swiss Jura Mountains. It has since designed over a thousand different calibers and has become an iconic brand among collectors. Jaeger‑LeCoultre is known for its meticulous design, focusing on end to end hand construction – from producing and assembling its own pallets to the careful engraving and enameling work.

Recently Superman actor Henry Cavill donned the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph Reference 9022450 in Rose Gold at the 50^th Anniversary party, celebrating the Jaeger‑LeCoultre Polaris Collection which was first launched in 1968. The Reference 9022450 is a stunningly elegant timepiece, emanating a refined yet sporting charm. Powered by a caliber 751H built from 262 parts and 37 jewels, the reference 9022450 provides a 65-hour power reserve.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph – back

The dial is a charcoal grey and has several layers of inner dial. The outer dial appears at a slant indicating the tachymetre scale allowing for precise lap-time calculations up to 500 KPH or MPH – a perfect companion for precision motorsports. The inner dial provides standard hour markers and Arabic numerals at the 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock positions. Two inner dials provide an hour counter at the 9 o’clock position and the 30-minute counter at the 3 o’clock position.

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph Reference 9022450 provides water resistance up to 330 feet. It has a 42 mm case in polished pink gold. The hour, minute and seconds hands are in matching pink gold. The chronograph pushers appear to the right side of the timepiece, above and below the crown at the 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock positions. The strap is a brown leather bracelet which matches the pink gold to perfection. The beauty of the automatic workmanship can be viewed from the back of the timepiece through the sapphire crystal viewing window.

Rubber B Brown Bracelets for the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph Reference 9022450

Rubber B has designed 6 leather bracelets for the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph Reference 9022450. The two brown leather bracelets are available in genuine alligator “cognac” or full grain leather with the patented Rubber B vulcanized rubber base for comfort and durability.

The Rubber B bracelets are made in Switzerland out of pure vulcanized rubber with leather stitched on top. The Rubber B Structure Series bands are fitted with a 316L Stainless Steel tang buckle–providing a durable clasp which provide excellent support for a sports watch of this caliber. For more information visit the Rubber B structure series page here.

6 Leather Straps for the Alpiner 4 Manufacture Flyback Chronograph

Alpiner 4 Manufacture Flyback Chronograph Reference AL-760SB5AQ6

Alpina Union Horlogerie S.A. was founded in 1883 by Gottlieb Hauser, making it one of the first Swiss mechanical watchmakers. Hauser’s constant innovation helped create quality, durable and precise timepieces, initially intended for sportsmen, engineers, technicians and adventurers.

The “Alpina 4” concept was introduced in 1938 when Hauser revolutionized the sport watch by insisting on the 4 qualities that he believed would make the perfect watch for the sports enthusiast. The sports timepiece had to be designed with antimagnetic, antishock and water resistant properties. The case had to be designed with stainless steel for durability. By strictly adhering to these principles, the Alpina 4 watches became the timekeeper of choice for Alpinists, the Air Force, the Navy and the Military.

The Alpiner 4 Manufacture Flyback Chronograph Reference AL-760SB5AQ6 pictured above is a beautiful representation and the latest in the long history of Alpiner 4’s. It has a 44 mm stainless steel case with black leather strap. The silvered sunray dial and silver-tone hands jump off dial with cutting precision. The hour markers are cut to fit precisely around the 3 chrono dials. The chronograph dials display the 60 seconds dial at 9 o’clock, 30 minutes dial at 3 o’clock and the date dial at 6 o’clock.

The water resistance supports 330 feet. The timepiece has a scratch resistant sapphire crystal and a screw down crown with chronograph pushers above and below the crown at the 2 and 4 o’clock positions. The split-seconds function, also known as “flyback”, was invented in the 1930s to make it easier for pilots to use this most essential of instruments. With this function, pressing the push-piece just once starts the timer again from zero.

6 Leather Straps for the Alpiner 4 Manufacture Flyback Chronograph Reference AL-760SB5AQ6

Powered by the new caliber AL-760, the Reference AL-760SB5AQ6 provides 38 hours of power reserve. Made from 233 components, the AL-760 provides exceptional automatic timekeeping, date and chronograph function. The bezel is a polished steel. Inside the bezel there are telemeter markers, which are displayed ingeniously around the outer rim.

Straps for the Alpiner, Rubber B has designed 6 leather bracelets for the Alpiner 4 Manufacture Flyback Chronograph Reference AL-760SB5AQ6. The two Jet Black leather bracelets are available in genuine alligator or full grain leather with the patented Rubber B vulcanized rubber base for comfort and durability.

The Red Devil option adds a stunning red outline to the black leather and vulcanized rubber band and matches the Alpiner 4 red triangle of the seconds hand. The Rubber B Structure Series bands are fitted with a 316L Stainless Steel tang buckle–providing a durable clasp that would make Gottlieb Hauser proud. For more information visit the Rubber B structure series page here.

The Short History of Vulcanized Rubber Bracelet Use in Horology

Vulcanized Rubber Band on Rolex Yachtmaster II

Rubber has been around for quite some time. However, the early excitement of utilizing rubber was tainted by the issues of pure rubber – it would freeze and crack in the winter, and it would melt and become sticky when exposed to the summer heat. Nathaniel Hayword and Friedrich Ludersdorf discovered that by adding sulfur to pure rubber, it would eliminate stickiness.

However, in 1839, Charles Goodyear, famously linked to the name well-known Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., elaborated on Hayword’s discovery by developing the vulcanization process, where rubber could be heated by a stove and charred, producing a perfectly cured leather-like substance (yet, in many ways, superior to leather). The word “vulcanize” comes from the Roman god of fire, Vulcan. By heating rubber to a specific temperature and then removing it from the heat at the exact right point in time, the rubber would become vulcanized.

Black and Brown Vulcanized Rubber Bands on Patek Philippe

The resulting vulcanized rubber substance became extremely strong, weatherproof, and elastic. Sulfur is an accelerator, which combines and creates bridges in the molecules, allowing natural rubber to be transformed into a substance which can be expertly molded while keeping its shape – free of swelling or melting in spite of hot or cold temperatures. Later enhancements to vulcanized rubber include adding carbon black or zinc oxide to retard deterioration caused by oxygen and ozone.

Vulcanized rubber has several advantages over most any substance in the world. It has excellent strength and resilience and easily returns to its original intended shape after bending. It resists wear and tear and oxidation. It repels fats, oils and other solvents, while also limiting water absorption. It has a wide temperature range making it flexible and reliable between −80 °C to +250 °C and won’t break down until it hits temperatures above 350 °C.

Vulcanized two-tone Rubber Bands for Tudor

The watchmaking industry first began adding rubber bands to their timepieces in the 1950’s. Rolex, Tudor, IWC and Blancpain were some of the early timepieces found with rubber bracelets. However, it wasn’t until the 1960’s that the use of rubber bands became mainstream, largely due to its usefulness on diver and sports watches. It’s weather and water proof qualities were perfect for watch owners with an active lifestyle. The Swiss watchmaking industry adopted and perfected the use of vulcanized rubber bands as an extension to its artistry. Bands are designed with many colors, even bright colors like orange, red and yellow – enhancing the palette of what is possible.

History of Vulcanized rubber bands have exceptional properties that make them superior bracelets for fine timepieces. They are lightweight, compared to steel or gold watchbands. Not only are they waterproof in both fresh and saltwater, but they feel lighter when being worn in water – making them a perfect complement to a diver or nautical timepiece. They are durable and resistant to the effects of sunlight and radiation and they do not rust. They clean easily, are non-toxic and non-allergenic.

Vulcanized Rubber Watchbands Supporting the Deployant Buckle

Rubber bands are easy to fit and adjust and generally can be worn by both men and women of any wrist size, universally. They are comfortable to wear and can be designed to fit the deployant buckle of the manufacturer. Vulcanized rubber bands are scratch resistant and are a low-cost (and in many ways a superior) alternative to steel and gold bands made by the manufacturer.

Probably the most important feature of vulcanized rubber bands is the stylish qualities. Vulcanized rubber can be forged into millions of beautiful designs and patterns. They can utilize the blues, blacks, and browns of the boardroom, or the fun colors of spring and summer, giving each timepiece an endless supply of stylish adaptability. Since it is easy to change a band, a timepiece owner might have a collection of different color rubber bands and be able to adapt the look of their timepiece in minutes.

White and Blue Vulcanized Rubber Bracelets on Patek Philippe

Rubber B has expanded upon the Swiss Vulcanized Rubber bracelet tradition by developing several enhancements of their own. Rubber B developed “Blocked Integration” which creates a tight, motionless, rotationless, and gap-free mount to the watch head. Rubber B has strengthened their straps by infusing carbon fiber molecules into the vulcanized rubber – thus reducing stress while maintaining supple, flexible comfort around the wearer’s wrist. Rubber B has combined industrial strength Velcro Alfatex and Titanium-Enforced loops to create unique rubber bands utilizing a powerful Velcro clasp. For more information, visit our product pages for a wide variety of vulcanized rubber bracelets made for an active and stylish lifestyle.

The Three Best Engineered Clasps for Fine Timepieces

Deployant Buckle on a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711

The fine timepiece industry has developed several clasps for watchbands over the years. So today we are going to look at various of the typical clasps found on luxury timepieces like Rolex, Panerai, Patek Philippe and other fine watch brands.

The Deployant Clasp (Deployment Clasp)

Although the terms Deployment and Deployant are often used interchangeably when referring to the type of clasp which unfolds into thirds and then locks into place with a type of hook latch, it is actually proper to use the word Deployant. It is easy to make this mistake because often fine timepieces owe their heritage to the world armies, navies and military air force groups who would deploy onto the battlefield, and many of them were issued a fine timepiece to coordinate their attacks. For example, for a group Deployment of a regiment of troops, the word “Deployment” would be a proper way to describe these troop movements.

Deployant Buckle on a Rolex Daytona

Without a doubt the deployant clasp is very popular for many timepieces manufactured worldwide. In the deployant clasp group, there are standard, pushbutton, with safety, and deployant buckle with a diver’s extension.

Each manufacturer has different nuances on how they deliver these clasps. Rubber B pays particular attention to detail so that when designing a bracelet to support a particular watch brand, it must have a perfect fit and abide by stringent standards of excellence.

Rolex Deepsea buckle

The above Rolex Deepsea buckle has an extension which can help fit the timepiece to the owner both on land and over a wetsuit when diving. Rubber B has engineered and developed an exclusive Strength Infusion Technology to provide upgraded support against friction, weight and frequent micro-adjustments made to the Glidelock Clasp (pictured below). Carbon Fiber molecules are fused within the vulcanized rubber during its mould process, resulting in a substantial increase in vertical and lateral stress resistance, while maintaining supple, flexible comfort around the wearer’s wrist.

Glidelock

The Tang Buckle
The simplest design for buckles is the standard Tang Buckle, made out of 316L Stainless Steel. Tang buckles are widely used and are extremely popular due to their ease in adjustment, strength and durability. The bracelet has several notches allowing the wearer to quickly adjust the band around the wrist and get to the most comfortable fit. The double loop allows the wearer to fit the remaining strap neatly against the strap to prevent flapping. This also adds strength and protection from loss since the tang buckle does not have a safety clasp often found on the deployant buckle. Although this design is quite easy to adjust and comfortable to wear, it is also quite strong. The 316L Stainless Steel is both rust resistant, and extremely strong. However, tang buckles are easy to replace and the wearer could opt to use a tang buckle with his favorite timepiece’s logo emblazoned on the steel notch slide through bar.

Tang Buckle on a Rolex Submariner

The Velcro Alfatex Buckle
Velcro was discovered and invented by a Swiss engineer named George de Mestral in the 1940’s. An avid hunter in the Jura mountains in Switzerland, Mr. de Mestral discovered the cockle-burs were stuck to his pants and dog’s fur and was intrigued about how they attached themselves. He inspected the tiny hooks under a microscope and how they engaged the loops of fabric of his pants. Using nature’s design, he tapped several friends in the weaving business to create what would become the VELCRO brand. Velcro comes from the French words for velvet “velour” and hook “crochet.”

Velcro Strap on a Rolex Submariner

Rubber B has perfected the use of Velcro on fine timepieces by utilizing the strongest and most reliable industrial strength fastener and a Titanium-Enforced Loop. The band is tortion-tested for extreme strength and security. The Velcro® Alfatex® closure provides a comfortable and esthetically pleasing mount. This strap comes with an optional retaining loop. It uses Hand-Sewn GORE-TENARA® Marine Thread providing maximum resistance to UV-rays, atmospheric conditions, & chemicals. It is manufactured with 5 optional sizes, to fit nearly any wrist size.

Sporty Elegant Swiss Made Leather Watch Bands

Rubber B Leather Watch Bands

Leather watch bands have been used with fine time pieces for over 100 years. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s pocket watches were all the rage. However, during the South African Freedom Wars and later during World War I, soldiers took to attaching their pocket watches to their wrist with a leather strap. This started a trend of combining watch making with leather bands that has continued to today.

The leather strap evolved quickly into the standard as masculine watches were developed by Rolex, Panerai, Longines, IWC and others–many of them used in military to coordinate raids and attacks. The military loved the strength, versatility, and natural waterproofness of leather watch bands.

Rubber B has advanced the development of the leather band, by bonding the leather to a rubber base. The stitching is recessed within a trench and knotted invisibly in the rubber for maximum comfort. The leather surfaces are innovatively recessed, allowing them to sit flush in the shapely rubber base. This allows the wearer to become active in all kinds of sports, from diving and swimming, to tennis and golf.

Sporty Elegant Luxury Watch Bands

The Vulcanized rubber base achieves both a comfortable and strong fit. Since there are no blends, fillers, linings or coatings used in Rubber B manufacturing, the band does not bleed coloring when the wearer gets the surface wet. The band is even water proof to ocean salt water. An owner of a Rolex Submariner, for example, can proudly wear his Rubber B during deep sea diving without fear of losing or hurting his investment.

Additionally, there are no pores or creases in the leather or rubber band, protecting the watch band from sweat and odor. The watch band can be easily cleaned with water after physical activity.

The unique design of the Rubber B Swiss Made leather band allows the wearer to achieve both a sporty feel, while achieving an elegant look with genuine alligator or full-grain leather. This is the ultimate leather strap. For a full description of Rubber B Swiss Made Leather Bracelets visit our products page here.