I have purchased many fitted rubber that are watch specific, and even that's a bit of a minefield. I would 100% go with OEM first if possible, then watch specific, then generic. Manufacturers usually do S/M/L (The ones on watches in shops are medium) with is another benefit. I will check Artem out now though and see what they have ; ) Hope they do lots of 21mm! Haha
My 8" wrist is often at the limit of what a strap will fit, and I generally assume when buying a watch that I may want to change the strap. Around 50% of my watches are on the original strap/bracelet, and that's partly due to me choosing a strap option I like rather than following the "always buy it on a bracelet" rule. Artem's range of longer straps is a bit limited, but the prices look comparable with others. Most of my watches are at the more affordable end, so a strap can add around 20% to the price, but it's totally worth it when it transforms the wearablity and/or the aesthetics.
They do XS and XL. My wrist is 20cm, so I only checked out the XL, and they're only available in 20mm width. It's great that they let you sort by that - with a lot of sellers I have to check the length specs for each individual strap. @@AussieWristWatch
For me a strap needs to fit the manufacturers deployant clasp, and ideally be fitted (if rubber) or be made specifically to look good with the spring bar positions, and ideally curved to the case (if leather etc.). Having a generic straight ended strap on a pin buckle generally looks bad and is not a great experience to use IME.
As a Grand Seiko owner, it's really disappointing to feel the subpar "quality" of their bracelets. Look, Seiko use stamped clasp bracelets & King Seiko aren't much better. Anyone else notice this? It's the case with Campanola (Citizen's flagship JDM brand) also.
I feel it's a sin to change an original watch strap or bracelet with a fake one, an Omega with a Artem strap would be like driving a Porsche fitted with a Ford steering wheel, you just wouldn't do it, spending 10k on a watch then destroying it's originality just sounds like a crazy thing to do... keep it original ... just saying.
I used to wholeheartedly agree, but I've found that sometimes a great strap does work well. The Panerai models are really great examples. I have OEM straps which are amazing but some of the other straps you can put on them really elevate it too. I'm still wearing the Artem on the Omega, it's great!
@@AussieWristWatch My father over the years, every time he needed a new leather strap he would replace the new strap buckle with the old Omega buckle just to keep his watch looking original. I've always thought it was the right thing to do ... Maybe I need to be more open minded.
Just ordered their FKM strap. Looking forward to it...thanks for the review.
I have purchased many fitted rubber that are watch specific, and even that's a bit of a minefield.
I would 100% go with OEM first if possible, then watch specific, then generic.
Manufacturers usually do S/M/L (The ones on watches in shops are medium) with is another benefit.
I will check Artem out now though and see what they have ; )
Hope they do lots of 21mm! Haha
My 8" wrist is often at the limit of what a strap will fit, and I generally assume when buying a watch that I may want to change the strap. Around 50% of my watches are on the original strap/bracelet, and that's partly due to me choosing a strap option I like rather than following the "always buy it on a bracelet" rule. Artem's range of longer straps is a bit limited, but the prices look comparable with others. Most of my watches are at the more affordable end, so a strap can add around 20% to the price, but it's totally worth it when it transforms the wearablity and/or the aesthetics.
I could be wrong but I think they might have smaller sizes?
They do XS and XL. My wrist is 20cm, so I only checked out the XL, and they're only available in 20mm width. It's great that they let you sort by that - with a lot of sellers I have to check the length specs for each individual strap. @@AussieWristWatch
For me a strap needs to fit the manufacturers deployant clasp, and ideally be fitted (if rubber) or be made specifically to look good with the spring bar positions, and ideally curved to the case (if leather etc.).
Having a generic straight ended strap on a pin buckle generally looks bad and is not a great experience to use IME.
As a Grand Seiko owner, it's really disappointing to feel the subpar "quality" of their bracelets. Look, Seiko use stamped clasp bracelets & King Seiko aren't much better. Anyone else notice this? It's the case with Campanola (Citizen's flagship JDM brand) also.
I feel it's a sin to change an original watch strap or bracelet with a fake one, an Omega with a Artem strap would be like driving a Porsche fitted with a Ford steering wheel, you just wouldn't do it, spending 10k on a watch then destroying it's originality just sounds like a crazy thing to do... keep it original ... just saying.
I used to wholeheartedly agree, but I've found that sometimes a great strap does work well. The Panerai models are really great examples. I have OEM straps which are amazing but some of the other straps you can put on them really elevate it too. I'm still wearing the Artem on the Omega, it's great!
Think of them as tires rather than a steering wheel…
@@AussieWristWatch My father over the years, every time he needed a new leather strap he would replace the new strap buckle with the old Omega buckle just to keep his watch looking original. I've always thought it was the right thing to do ... Maybe I need to be more open minded.
@@MikeOBrien1945 Tyres are always made by a tyre manufacturer lol so its not a great analogy.
Manufacturers own branded straps usually come in 3 sizes (the ones on watches in shops are always the medium) so that's another reason to go OEM.