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Basic Bands Watch Strap Fashion

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Watch of the week- 7/21

Basic Bands
July 21, 2022

If you’re looking for an entry-level dive watch with rugged features and classy accents, this Casio is for you. The gold accent against the black band makes this watch pop and add an element of class to any outfit.

Continue Reading Watch of the week- 7/21

Movado

Watch of the Week 7/14

Basic Bands
July 14, 2022

Movado has been making simple dress watches for decades. If you like the minimalist style with gorgeous stainless steel accents, this watch is for you. 

Continue Reading Watch of the Week 7/14

Watch of the Week – 7/7

Watch of the Week – 7/7

Basic Bands
July 7, 2022

When Citizen launched the Eco Drive line it was an instant success. Complete with chronograph and a casual leather band, this is the perfect weekend watch.  Buy the citizen eco-drive watch here!

Continue Reading Watch of the Week – 7/7

Seiko Men’s Japanese Mechanical Automatic Watch

Watch of the Week – 7/1

Basic Bands
July 1, 2022

Seiko Men’s Japanese Mechanical Automatic Watch Seiko is a tried-and-true brand with a reputation for high quality, durable, and stylish pieces. This Seiko pairs with a multitude of bands and will last a lifetime. The skeleton back showcases its legendary Japanese mechanical movement.  Seiko Men’s watch here!

Continue Reading Watch of the Week – 7/1

Shop our favorite watches below:

Spotlight

B&R Bands Olive Suede Strap on Tudor Sub

BRAND SHOWCASE – B&R BANDS

February 23, 2022

The first post in a new series, a brand showcase highlights a particular watch strap company, in this case, B&R Bands. See the gallery below for examples of their work. If you see something you like, check them out!

Continue Reading BRAND SHOWCASE – B&R BANDS

Choice Cuts Industries valet tray and single slot watch roll with a Timex Expedition Scout and custom strap, all in English Tan leather

SMALL BRAND SPOTLIGHT – CHOICE CUTS INDUSTRIES

September 4, 2018

Watch strap making isn’t just limited to major brands and big shops; across the world there are small strapmakers making a living designing unique and custom straps. Our small brand spotlight series interviews these strapmakers to see what makes them tick. Today the spotlight is on Joel and Kerri Mills and their small strap making shop: Choice Cuts Industries

Continue Reading SMALL BRAND SPOTLIGHT – CHOICE CUTS INDUSTRIES

Two-Stitch Straps Coal Leather Watch Strap on Rolex

BRAND SHOWCASE – TWO STITCH STRAPS

March 20, 2018

The second post in a new series, a brand showcase highlights a particular watch strap company, in this case, Two Stitch Straps. You can find their website at https://www.twostitchstraps.com. They make a variety of both regular and customized watch straps. Check out their work below and contact Ivan (founder) for more info or to order a strap.

Continue Reading BRAND SHOWCASE – TWO STITCH STRAPS

Two One Four Straps - Brown Watch Strap

SMALL BRAND SPOTLIGHT – TWO ONE FOUR STRAPS

February 21, 2018

Watch strap making isn’t just limited to major brands and big shops; across the world there are small strapmakers making a living designing unique and custom straps. Our small brand spotlight series interviews these strapmakers to see what makes them tick. Today the spotlight is on Jun Talusan and his Philippines-based shop, Two One Four Straps.

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Chopard Mille Miglia on Ebony Alligator Rally Watch strap Stitched with Butterscotch Linen.

SMALL BRAND SPOTLIGHT – DANGEROUS9 STRAPS

February 9, 2018

Watch strap making isn’t just limited to major brands and big shops; across the world there are small strapmakers making a living designing unique and custom straps. Our small brand spotlight series interviews these strapmakers to see what makes them tick. Today the spotlight is on John Glance and his shop, Dangerous9straps

Continue Reading SMALL BRAND SPOTLIGHT – DANGEROUS9 STRAPS

Neptune Straps Thick Brown Leather Watch Strap on Seiko Diver watch

SMALL BRAND SPOTLIGHT – NEPTUNE STRAPS

January 23, 2018

Watch strap making isn’t just limited to major brands and big shops; across the world there are small strapmakers making a living designing unique and custom straps. Our small brand spotlight series interviews these strapmakers to see what makes them tick. Today the spotlight is on Pavel Slow and his shop, Neptune Straps.

Continue Reading SMALL BRAND SPOTLIGHT – NEPTUNE STRAPS

Find watch strap inspiration

Best Fitness Trackers

Best Fitness Trackers – June 2022

If you are trying to improve your fitness, one of the most powerful tools is using a fitness tracker. Fitness trackers are watches, rings, and straps (wearables) that are intended to be stylish and help you track your fitness progress. These trackers provide you with detailed insights and data about your body like resting heart rate, HRV, sleep length and quality tracking, workout, and step tracking, and so much more.  The staff at Basic Bands has been employing fitness trackers for several years now and highly recommends them! There are many options to choose from, so we have made it easy for you by narrowing it down to the three best wrist trackers on the market.  Best for Style: Apple Watch Series 7 Apple made fitness trackers cool and brought them into the mainstream. As with all Apple products, design comes first, and the Series 7 looks great on any…

Continue Reading Best Fitness Trackers – June 2022

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch review hands on

Happy National Watch Day!

June 19 is one of our favorite days of the year. National Watch Day recognizes the timepiece industry which has been around for centuries. This year’s National Watch Day is extra special because it lines up with Father’s Day. So if you’re looking for a last-minute Father’s Day gift, a watch is definitely the way to go! To honor this important day, we’re showcasing some of our favorite timepieces. There’s no better way to celebrate National Watch Day than to explore the wide world of watches and bands. Outdoorsy Watches One of our favorite parts about watches and other wearables is that there’s a watch for every occasion. As summer officially begins this week, we thought we’d showcase a few of our favorite pieces that are both stylish and perfectly suited for your summer hikes, beach trips, and backyard barbeques. Timex Ironman Series Timex has done an incredible job building…

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Tissot Men’s Everytime Desire

Watch of the Week – 6/17

Tissot Men’s Everytime Desire Tissot is the perfect brand to start your Swiss watch journey. You can’t go wrong with the Everytime, a classic look with a dressy band. This watch is easily swappable with other sportier bands. Shop the Everytime here! Shop more of our favorite Tissot watches below:

Continue Reading Watch of the Week – 6/17

Jomashop Father’s Day Deals – 50%+ OFF

Jomashop Father’s Day Deals – 50%+ OFF

Our favorite watch shopping destination is offering exclusive deals for Basic Bands users. Across their portfolio of 650+ brands and 75,000 unique products there are discounts ranging from 20% to 60% site-wide. Our partnership provides you access to significant savings on top watch models. Shop now to get access to the Jomashop Father’s Day sale!

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Father’s Day 2022 Watch Buying Guide

Father’s Day 2022 Watch Buying Guide

Father’s Day 2022 Watch Buying Guide Father’s day is just around the corner, and if you’re looking for the perfect gift for dad, a watch is always a classic choice.  But with so many different styles and options out there, it can be tough to know where to start. From band to bevel, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about choosing the right watch for dad. And with this guide from Basic Bands, you’re sure to find the perfect gift that he’ll cherish for years to come. Why Choose a Watch for Dad? What to get the dad who has everything? Why not a watch? Not only is it a classic gift that he can wear every day, but it’s also a practical one. A watch is something he’ll use and appreciate, whether he’s at work or out on the town. And with the right style, a watch…

Continue Reading Father’s Day 2022 Watch Buying Guide

Gallery of Popular Timex Watch Models

Gallery of Popular Timex Watch Models

Timex is a popular value brand of watches. They are often recommended on watch forums and review sites as options for people looking for a quality watch under $100. They make a wide variety of watches and are perfect starter watches for kids and teenagers and casual watches for adults. They make excellent office watches and they have some good outdoor/sport watches and a runner/triathlon line. Recently, they have released a number of models featuring nicer builds and finishes that are often priced in the $200 range. They also have a made in America line. Most versions have excellent lume to read the dial at night. Overall, they appeal to people wanting a fantastic value watch without spending much money.

Continue Reading Gallery of Popular Timex Watch Models

BRAND SPOTLIGHT – BLUSHARK STRAPS

We interview Joe Scarpati from Blueshark Straps about his origins, the best selling straps and more. Read on to see more of their straps.

Continue Reading BRAND SPOTLIGHT – BLUSHARK STRAPS

Black Grey and Red NATO Style Apple Watch Band by Nyloon

5 FUN CUSTOM APPLE WATCH BANDS ON ETSY

If you’re looking to replace your Apple Watch band but don’t like the looks of those prices in the Apple store, check out Etsy. Its a great place to source some fantastic styles that aren’t going to necessarily break the bank. We’ve found five fun bands for you to check out, links are in the captions of each picture.

Continue Reading 5 FUN CUSTOM APPLE WATCH BANDS ON ETSY

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We are an Amazon, Jomashop & Etsy affiliate. We are not paid to promote watch or watch strap companies.

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Welcome to Basic Bands!

  • We hope you enjoy our blog on watch strap fashion. Here are some places to start:
  • List of Watch Strap Companies
    List of Custom Watch Strap Makers
  • Interviews with Watch Strap Makers & Brands
  • Primer on Watch Strap Style | Style Inspiration | Watch strap examples by color & type
  • Tools for changing a strap | Fixing a broken strap loop
  • Guide to safely purchasing a watch online.
  • Watch Guides: Orient Bambino | Seiko SNK | Seiko Presage.
  • Shop our Amazon recommendations | Inexpensive NATO straps on Amazon

 

See our watch guides

Brown suede rally tropic watch strap by Maverick Custom Handmade

HOW TO FIX A BROKEN LOOP ON YOUR WATCH STRAP

Most watch bands have one or two loops on the strap to keep the bracelet or band from flopping around on your wrist. Known by different names like hoop, retainer, loop, these loops are officially called “keepers,” and they can sometimes fall off and break. Leather or cloth keepers will disintegrate through wear and tear from moisture or sweat, while rubber ones can become brittle and snap.
The good news is that you can fix a broken watch hoop in several ways. The easiest way is to buy a replacement loop on Amazon and put it on the strap. Rubber loops can sometimes be stretched over the buckle, but for most replacement loops you must disconnect the strap or buckle to get the new loop on. Important: make sure you buy the correct width loop, measured in millimeters.

crown-and-buckle-straps

HOW TO PICK OUT THE RIGHT BAND FOR YOUR WATCH – A PRIMER ON WATCH STRAP STYLE

If you’re new to watchbands or looking to buy a gift for that special someone, knowing how to pick out the right watch strap is difficult. We interviewed Thomas Lathrop, CEO of popular watchband company Crown & Buckle, for some tips on matching up the right band to your watch.

Orient Bambino Version 2

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE ORIENT BAMBINO DRESS WATCH

Simply put, the Orient Bambino is probably the best affordable dress watch out there. A fantastic option for your first watch, it takes a movement from a reliable watch company and puts it in an incredible looking package. Earlier generations can be bought for just over $100, while the most popular style from the new generation will be closer to $300 (although it frequently goes on sale).

barton-bands-blue-canvas-quick-release

SAFE PLACES TO BUY WATCHES ONLINE – A GUIDE TO ONLINE WATCH PURCHASING

Watches make good gifts for birthdays, weddings and special occasions like graduations. But if you don’t purchase a watch often, it’s hard to know where to look first for the best deal, the best warranty & a guarantee of authenticity. Most people find that the online watch purchasing experience is fragmented and fraught with fakes and high prices. This article explains how to pick an online watch store.

Seiko Turtle Watch on Barton Bands Canvas Strap

BEST PLACES TO BUY WATCH STRAPS ONLINE

A common question we get is where to buy watch straps, who is reputable, and how to choose among the different options. On this page, we have listed the major strap companies and brands, divided by category. Most places ship internationally, but we have listed out companies that are outside the U.S. if you’re looking […]

Barton Bands Green Canvas Strap on a Seiko SNK 805

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE SEIKO SNK WATCH LINE

The Seiko 5 line of SNK watches are highly recommended as an inexpensive way to get into automatics. The watches are great for kids as a first watch and an excellent casual watch for adults. It meets all the check boxes for a good looking watch from a great brand at a great price.

Kids (and parents) will love the sub-$100 price, the good design and the ability to mix and match watch straps. It can be a first watch for a kid or a nice watch for a teenager that can go with a lot of outfits.

Hybrid Sand Woven Fabric Tudor NATO strap on a Tudor Black Bay Dive Watch

Watch Strap Color Guide & Inspiration

We get a lot of questions here at the Basic Bands watch strap blog, and often that question is about which watch strap color goes with which color watch dial or type of watch. If you’re wondering about that too, we’re here to help.

It’s not possible to list every watch type and style and the colors and types of straps that go well with them, so we’ve started Pinterest boards to give you more inspiration. Other sources of watch strap ideas include Reddit’s r/Watchbands and Instagram.If you don’t use Pinterest, you can find images by clicking on tags in the sidebar or using the Inspiration category at the top of the page.

Seiko Cocktail Time Header

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE SEIKO PRESAGE “COCKTAIL TIME” LINE OF WATCHES

Welcome to the Basic Bands guide to the Seiko Presage “Cocktail Time” line of watches. These watches, nicknamed after the elaborate cocktails fashioned by Shinobu Ishigaki, are an incredibly popular line of dress watches from Seiko. Combining the reliability and affordability of a Seiko with some amazingly gorgeous dials, these watches have become one of the most popular affordable dress watches in the market.

Tag Heuer Carrera Watch on Brown Hirsch Speed Alligator Strap

BASIC BANDS 2018 WATCH STRAP & ACCESSORIES GIFT GUIDE

Hello everyone, and welcome to the 2018 edition of the Basic Bands Watch Strap & Accessories Gift Guide! We’re here to help you find that perfect someone (or yourself) the perfect gift this holiday season. We’ve divided the guide up into sections, so skip ahead to the one that interests you most. First we have […]

Clockwork Synergy Two-Piece NATO Strap

BASIC BANDS 2017 WATCH STRAP AND BAND GIFT GUIDE

So you’re looking for a strap? Maybe the person you’re shopping for already has a nice watch and you’d love to match it with a nice strap. Or maybe you’re buying a watch and you’re looking for strap ideas to complement the stock band. Or maybe you just got a new watch and you’d like to spice it up with a new leather or NATO strap. Well, you’ve come to the right place. We’re Basic Bands, and we loooove watch straps.

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alligator apple watch bauhaus bespoke black black dial blue blue dial breitling brown brown leather canvas chronograph custom watch strap companies diver dress watch exotic Geckota green green dial grey guides hamilton horween IWC leather leather band nato omega Omega Speedmaster Panerai perlon rally strap rolex rubber seiko Seiko diver Seiko SNK shop skx speedmaster thick timex tudor white dial
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More to See

Orient Men’s ‘Mako II’

Watch of the Week – 6/24

June 24, 2022 By Basic Bands

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch review hands on

Happy National Watch Day!

June 19, 2022 By Basic Bands

Tissot Men’s Everytime Desire

Watch of the Week – 6/17

June 17, 2022 By Basic Bands

Jomashop Father’s Day Deals – 50%+ OFF

Jomashop Father’s Day Deals – 50%+ OFF

June 15, 2022 By Basic Bands

Brown suede rally tropic watch strap by Maverick Custom Handmade

HOW TO FIX A BROKEN LOOP ON YOUR WATCH STRAP

June 8, 2022 By Basic Bands

Father’s Day 2022 Watch Buying Guide

Father’s Day 2022 Watch Buying Guide

June 2, 2022 By Basic Bands

Custom Blue Canvas Watch Strap by Red Rock Straps

WATCH STRAP OF THE DAY – MAR 31 2018

March 31, 2018 By Basic Bands

20mm 22mm 24mm Padded Vintage Leather Watch Bands Strap Italian Horween Leather Buckle Side

New Strap Release – Padded Vintage Collection from B&R Bands

May 31, 2020 By Basic Bands

Casio Dive Watch Dappered Stock Strap

Watch of the week- 7/21

July 21, 2022 By Basic Bands

Heavy duty watch strap by custom strap maker Mansarea in Spain

WATCH STRAP OF THE DAY – MANSAREA HEAVY DUTY STRAP

February 23, 2019 By Basic Bands

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alligator apple watch bauhaus bespoke black black dial blue blue dial breitling brown brown leather canvas chronograph custom watch strap companies diver dress watch exotic Geckota green green dial grey guides hamilton horween IWC leather leather band nato omega Omega Speedmaster Panerai perlon rally strap rolex rubber seiko Seiko diver Seiko SNK shop skx speedmaster thick timex tudor white dial

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