Category Archives: Genuine Leather Watch Bands

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.

Rubber B – Red Watch Straps for Valentine’s Day

Red watchband for the Tudor Blackbay

Get in the spirit this Valentine’s Day by showing off your Swiss Made red watch bands by Rubber B. Red watchbands are a stunning accompaniment to watches of all makes and models. Combining a red watch band with a watch that has a black dial or bezel is sure to catch some attention. Pictured above is a two-toned watch band manufactured for the Tudor Black Bay. This watchband has a jet black outer band and in inner red layer. The watch band supports the Tudor Bay deployant clasp.

Red Band for the Rolex Daytona

Rubber B has developed several red watchbands for the Rolex line of timepieces including the popular Rolex Daytona. Several Rolexes come with a touch of red inside the dial or on the hands themselves. In this Rolex, we can see a feint “Daytona” written in red on the dial. Many of the “Red Daytona’s” are imprinted with a darker and more distinct red print and match beautifully with the red wrist band.

Red watchband for the Panerai Luminor 1950 44mm

The Panerai Luminor with black dial and steel case looks stunning with a red wristband. Red and black seem to be made for each other, creating a sensual dance of timeless beauty and exotic romance. It is a combination that one can quickly fall in love with.

Yachtmaster 2 with blue and red band

Rubber B designed a new style of watchband which contains a base color and (blue base pictured above) a red stripe. This unique combination watch band is both elegant and sporty. If there are touches of red within the bezel or dial, the vulcromatic watchband can tie together the red coloring within the band itself. The Rolex GMT Master has red on the bezel and on its 24 hour hand. The Rolex Yachtmaster II (pictured above) offsets the blue bezel with red hands. The Rolex Sea Dweller and Rolex Daytona both use red lettering to identify the style of watch on the dial.

Red bracelets with Alligator Leather

Rubber B has developed the above watch bands to support many timepieces regardless of brand. These are developed with two-tone colors, a black leather on top and red rubber layer underneath. The black leather is available in either genuine alligator or full grain leather. These watch bands fit 18 mm, 20 mm and 22 mm lug sizes.

As with all fine timepieces, Rubber B is the highest quality Swiss Made alternative strap in the market. Rubber B straps are engineered to achieve a perfect fit that will seamlessly adapt to your timepiece’s specifications on the case and clasp giving your watch a complete original manufacturer’s appearance combined with longer daily wearability and athletic activities.

These alternative watch straps are made in Switzerland of pure vulcanized rubber with no coatings, blends or bonding. Completely hand finished at the factory, they are engineered to fit various wrist sizes. For more information on Rubber B Swiss Made models visit our “Products” tab on our home page.

Watchbands for Any Season – Which Band is Right for Winter, Summer, Spring or Fall?

Rubber B watch bands are always in season

One question you may ask when choosing a watchband color is “Which watchband looks best for the season?” Although watchband styles typically transcend seasons, traditionally the black leather bands are worn during Winter months and lighter brown leather bands or more fun bands like our red and black bands may be worn during the other months. Although it is quite acceptable to wear black leather or brown leather bands year-round.

When trying to decide which watchband to wear for the season you are in, it largely depends on the style of clothing you typically wear. A black or grey suit will always look spectacular with a black bracelet accompanying your fine timepiece. It does not matter what time of year, a black or grey suit is always in season. However, wearing a brown leather bracelet even in the dead of Winter or with your choice of suit is also acceptable.

There are no clear fashion rules when it comes to watchbands. For example: They don’t have to match your shoes. Many people alternate watchbands just for a change, or they may own a few fine timepieces with different watchbands, metal colors, and styles and switch watches on a regular basis.

One of the goals for Rubber B is to provide a watchband that works for any season. Each band is designed of vulcanized rubber and contain no coatings, blends, or bonding. These Swiss made watchbands are made for comfort and durability. Unlike other watchbands, which develop smells, creases and deformation from perspiration, Rubber B bands contain no filler pads and the leather surface is crease-free. Even if you want to wear a black leather band from Rubber B during the hot summer months, you can easily wash the rubber base after activities, and your leather surface will remain unharmed and ready for your next black-tie event.

So, no matter whether you are in the boardroom in Winter or on the surfboard in Summer your Rubber B bracelet will always be in season.

An Innovative Leather Strap for Luxury Watches

Rolex Structure Series Genuine Leather Strap for Luxury Watches

In our quest to create the ultimate rubber strap for the top luxury watch brands, we decided that the classic leather watch strap needed a 21st century update. The style of a genuine leather watchband is timeless, but many of the bands available on the market fail to live up to today’s luxury standards. In order to create the ultimate leather strap for luxury watches, we decided to add a vulcanized rubber base.

These materials are usually seen as opposites, with rubber bands seen on sportier watches and leather straps reserved for dress watches. However, when combined, they offer the wearer the best of both materials. The Structure Series straps in the Rubber B e-Boutique offer the comfort and durability of a rubber strap combined with the elegance of leather. The skin is fused onto the base, then hand-stitched internally within the base for a smooth, crease-free finish.

In addition to the Jet Black alligator leather configuration shown above, we offer a variety of leather and base color choices. There is a Structure Series strap for every watch, with straps designed to fit lug spacings of 18mm, 20mm and 22mm. They come with a 316l stainless steel tang buckle that can be replaced with the original buckle from most luxury watches.

Browse our entire selection of genuine leather straps at rubberb.com. We ship all over the world within 24-28 hours of your order, with expedited shipping available.