Watch retention straps? Loops?

RevDevil

RevDevil

Joined
Nov 9, 2009
Messages
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I have 2 watches that I need retention straps for. A Citizen EcoDrive Diver and a Seiko Orange Monster. I might not be using the right term here. The buckle side of the rubber straps, the little loops have broken off (the 2 on the Citizen and the large on the Seiko). I'm not really interested in replacing the straps entirely as they are both fine, I just needs to loops to hold the strap down. Coincidentally, the replacments are around $35 from Seiko and Citizen both. :thumbdn:
If I cannot find some replacements I might go with a nato style band on them. I cant use the SS bracelets as it tends to scratch the life out of things at work.
 
You're talking about the keeper loop, right?
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$35 for a keeper loop strikes me as outrageous - especially if they break. Do you have any watches or straps around that you're not currently using? If keeper loops are about the same size they're interchangeable. You could buy a cheap strap just for the keeper loop....

Those little rubber bands used to hold a pony tail work. Go in the "hair notions" section of the drugstore (where you've probably never ventured before) and you can get a bag of tiny rubber bands for a couple bucks. They have all kinds of uses.
 
For keepers, find a local watchmaker. He likely has some in a drawer or bag from swapping out old straps. Even a mall kiosk watch battery change/strap seller might have them.
 
Go to ebay and search for watch strap keeper - all the keepers you'll ever need.
 
Rev, if you do decide to change the strap, take a look at Perlon straps. I prefer them to NATOs.
 
Cougar Allen said:
You're talking about the keeper loop, right?
40536_1_b.jpg


$35 for a keeper loop strikes me as outrageous - especially if they break. Do you have any watches or straps around that you're not currently using? If keeper loops are about the same size they're interchangeable. You could buy a cheap strap just for the keeper loop....

Those little rubber bands used to hold a pony tail work. Go in the "hair notions" section of the drugstore (where you've probably never ventured before) and you can get a bag of tiny rubber bands for a couple bucks. They have all kinds of uses.
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Those are the ones. That might work, I have a daughter with a crapload of hair ties, I will ask her for some. I agree, $35 for a keeper loop got a reply from me, "Will you install it for me, clean my watch, and replace the seals too?"
leghog said:
For keepers, find a local watchmaker. He likely has some in a drawer or bag from swapping out old straps. Even a mall kiosk watch battery change/strap seller might have them.
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Good suggestion. There is a couple of watch stores in town.

Rhesus Feces said:
Shoot me a PM with the widths you need, I'll see what I've got. :thumbup:
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Lemme measure these and I'll get back to you.

ilten said:
Go to ebay and search for watch strap keeper - all the keepers you'll ever need.
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Honestly never thought of that.
Daddyo16 said:
Rev, if you do decide to change the strap, take a look at Perlon straps. I prefer them to NATOs.
Click to expand...

I will look into it. I've heard some of the NATO straps can have "slop", meaning the watch slices all over the strap.
 
I was occasionally searching for straps for my new massive dive watch and noticed that the online auction site has a lot of keepers.

I like the ZULU straps myself and the keeper is a part of the design. I just got a new large dive watch and turns out I had a leftover soft rubber strap from another watch so I tried it and it works great. I think these are usually called silicone straps. In the past I've used standard Seiko rubber straps but they are much stiffer and less comfortable. The new watch is an Armida A1 which is a really big hunk of steel, but very comfortable on the soft silicone strap.

I've worn lots of watches on NATO and ZULU straps. I've never had a problem with the watch sliding around on the strap. The strap goes under the watch head then up and over the spring bars. There seems to be enough bends in the strap that the watch head stays put. A ZULU strap is soft and comfortable but not stretchy so mine always stay a little loose on my wrist and move around a bit as a whole. I notice that the soft silicone strap can be tightened a little more and that holds the watch in position better without at the same time feeling restrictive.
 
I love my Orange Monster. I put it on a Steinhardt rubber strap that doesn't use keepers - Snap buckle. Expensive, but oh so COOL!

Hope you get it worked out :)
 
kjd2121 said:
I love my Orange Monster. I put it on a Steinhardt rubber strap that doesn't use keepers - Snap buckle. Expensive, but oh so COOL!

Hope you get it worked out :)
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I'd like to see a picture of that. Sounds interesting.
 
^^^^
THAT is VERY cool... Clean and effective... As I get into watches more I may need to look into that
 
Heck ya that is cool. That should last a lifetime. Thanks for the pics, I appreciate it. :thumbup:
 
kjd2121 said:
I love my Orange Monster. I put it on a Steinhardt rubber strap that doesn't use keepers - Snap buckle. Expensive, but oh so COOL!

Hope you get it worked out :)
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Is there a USA vendor that has these in stock? Can't seem to find one.
Thanks in advance,
 
While a different strap, the Bonetti Cinturini 300D can be cut to length, is well made, has an integrated deployant, and only costs $35.
 
kjd2121 said:
Pretty sure I ordered directly from Steinhardt. No problem on shipping. Don't think there is a US dealer.
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Did you specify 20mm or 22mm lug width for your Orange Monster? There seems to be some sort of debate but yours fits perfectly and, as
you say, looks incredibly cool.
 
CARRERA50 said:
Did you specify 20mm or 22mm lug width for your Orange Monster? There seems to be some sort of debate but yours fits perfectly and, as
you say, looks incredibly cool.
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I believe they only come in 22mm. I was able to wedge it between the 20mm lugs and get the pins to lock up.
 
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