Swiss Watches: Straps or Bracelets?

There are many different types of straps and bracelets that come on watches. Some people like the durability of a metal while others prefer the comfort of a leather strap. There are others who believe that rubber offers a hybrid of durability and comfort. It all comes down to individual preference and I will discuss the pros and cons of each of the individual options.

Metal bracelets are great for folks who prefer not to worry about their watch bands for 20 years at a time. The merit of metal is most durable. Over the years the links will start to soften and give way, and you will need to replace your bracelet. In terms of lifespan, you can expect a steel, platinum, or titanium bracelet to last 15-20 years. A gold bracelet will only last about half of that because it is a softer metal.

Metal bracelets are great also because they are versatile. You can dress a watch with a metal bracelet up or down. They look great with a 3 button suit or a one button bathing suit. Over time your do need to clean your bracelet. Occasionally clean your bracelet with warm soapy water and an old toothbrush. Simply do that and rinse. They dry it with a soft cloth.

NOTE: If you watch is not water resistant, do not do attempt to clean it, take it to a jeweler.

Leather straps can be like an old pair of jeans. Once you break them in, they are incredibly comfortable. They can be dressed up or down. You can get a nice alligator strap if you want to dress up the watch or a Kodiak strap if you want a more durable look to your watch.

Unfortunately if you wear your watch everyday, you can go through a new strap in about a year before you have to replace it. A deployant buckle can add significant life to your leather strap since it eliminates the tugging and pulling aspect of taking your watch off and putting it back on. Heavy perspiring can wash out all the natural oils from your watch strap too. To preserve the strap, get the moisture off with a soft cloth. Another hint to preserve your strap is not wearing it tightly. Always leave enough space so that you can fit your pinky finger between the watch strap and your skin. This helps air circulation and lets moisture evaporate more effectively. Finally, remember that while your watch says it’s water resistant to 30, that does not mean your strap is too, so take care of that leather strap.

Rubber straps are great because they give you the comfort of a leather strap plus some extra durability. Rubber straps are not as durable as metal straps, but they tend to last around 5 year longer then leather straps. The downside of rubber straps is that they are not as versatile as leather and steel bracelets. You will find yourself hard pressed to dress up a watch with a rubber strap.

Rubber straps also need to be maintained to some extent. Salt and oil will start to deteriorate a rubber strap if you do not clean it. How do you clean them? They same way you would clean a leather or steel bracelet, with a little warm soapy water and a soft cloth. If you are wearing your rubber bracelet at the beach with suntan lotion on and happen to go in the water, make sure to rinse the strap at minimum when you get home if not the full cleaning. This will help keep extend the life of your watch strap and keep it looking good.

There are a few other types of watch straps out there that I don't need to comment on too extensively. Some women's watches come with synthetic or sink bracelets. These are very delicate straps and are meant for dressing up. They also do not agree with salt, perspiration, or water of any kind. The aforementioned elements will only stain and take away the straps luster away quickly if they are not looked after meticulously.

The good news is that most watches enable you to use different strap/bracelet combinations. I personally like metal bracelets and leather straps for all the watches I own. This allows me to dress my watches up or down. It also makes me feel like I got a new watch after I swap out a bracelet for a strap.

Supermodel David Gandy Choose Omega Watch

David Gandy is a guy that you definitely recognize, but have no idea where you know him from. With his amazing good looks, it's no surprise that he's one of the most sought after male models in fashion today. You might have seen him working for Dolce & Gabbana, Zegna, Zara, and many others.

In the red carpet for the much anticipated action movie "The Expendable",he is wearing in a dapper single button charcoal suit, perfectly finished with a black pocket square and a vintage Omega Speedmaster Chronograph watch. Solid choice, ringt?

Here are a few other supermodel-worthy timepieces we recommend for your next red carpet trek:

From left to right are: the De Ville X2 Co-Axial Chronograph; the Seamaster NZL-32 Chrono; and the De Ville Co-Axial Chronograph. All of these are from Omega.

Piaget Polo FortyFive watch: Salute Marcos Heguy

Argentina's most famous club's top polo players Marcos Heguy that become the spokesman for the world of Piaget Polo. In 1987, he received his first 10 points, and in the long-term domestic and foreign players in his career, he has won the sport's most high-end event for twice. Also Marcos Heguy is one of Argentina's Triple Crown in Pilará Piaget.

Marcos Heguy

To celebrate the brand climb the pinnacle of sports, Piaget have introduced the famous Piaget Polo new watch in 2009, this series watch had been developed in 1979. Piaget FortyFive movement watch is the company's first titanium watch and not gold, it is equipped with automatic winding calibre 880P movement, and up to 50 hours of power reserve.


Piaget Polo FortyFive Limited Edition watch

This unique way to salute the sport's greatest athletes, Piaget was create this unique 45 limited edition Piaget Polo FortyFive watch, which was debut in USPA Piaget Gold Cup in Florida, United States Polo Association Piaget Gold Cup. This masterpiece with extraordinary charm, engraved with "10 Handicap" the black dial shines with navy blue timer. Sapphire crystal back display the entire watch movement at a glance, showing the Marcos Heguy impressively name, and his signature.

Omega released iPhone application APP

Omega released a new iPhone application (App), iPhone users simply touch by fingertips, you can easily swim Omega watches world.

Omega iPhone application presents all the watches exquisite pictures and technical information, guides the user free to explore a full range of Omega products. In the "Watchfinder" function, users can find the precision watches with their specific needs. It also can be save viewed watches to "My Favorites" into.

By the animated show of Omega De Ville Hour Vision watch, you can accurately read the time and date. Touch of a watch dial, the watch caseback will vividly on screen. Through the sapphire crystal back, the automatic operation of Omega coaxial 8611 movement is clearly visible - and now, the visual effects in the iPhone's screen can be a perfect reproduction.

When you need to go to Omega's flagship store, the application's "Store Locator" feature will help you find the nearest store, and the Omega store of any global sales network.

The new iPhone applications of Omega will also provide regular news updates and events on the Omega's global brand specific information. Also provide a range of wallpapers available for download, including a number of world-renowned celebrity and brand ambassadors.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Extreme Watches Book Publish

Jaeger-LeCoultre has produced a book dedicated to extreme watches, both the timepieces themselves and the adventurers who've worn them.

Since 1833, Antoine LeCoultre and his watchmakers began to personally testing their creations by climbing the highest peaks in the Alps, the brand has been associated with some of the world's most demanding environments.

When the Nautilus submarine was commissioned to dive under the ice pack,which is become the first to reach the North Pole in submerged mode, Jaeger-LeCoultre developed the Geophysic chronometer equipped with a magnetic resistant case.

Other expeditions linked with the marque include Emannuel Coindre's solo row across the North Pacific for which he wore a Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Extreme World Chronograph, as well as last year's voyage of three mountaineers who climbed a virgin peak in the Himalayas for which they took the Master Compressor Extreme LAB2 Tribute to Geophysic.

The CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre, Jérôme Lambert said: "This book is dedicated to all adventurers, explorers and other conquerors of the impossible. It tells the story of challenges, efforts and triumphs. It also tells of a key element in many such feats: time.”

The book will be given to buyers of Jaeger-LeCoultre technical watches.

Gucci U-Play Medium Version Watch

While many leather goods houses are concentrating on designing superior fashion handbags, these time-honored designer houses such like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel which are extending its antennae to manufacturing of other fashion accessories, haute couture, shoes, jewels and watches etc.. Gucci will offer a complete series of watches in each season.

The brand new U-Play collection watch is a creation of Gucci 2010 Fall Winter. There are several pieces in this collection and I like the medium version watch couple with white Guccissima leather straps particularly. There are two types offer to fans. It sounds to me two styles combined in a single designer watch.

This Gucci U-Play medium version watch features stainless steel case with black patent leather bezel and the case measures 35mm in diameter. There is silver sun-brushed dial with interlocking G in the case center. It is truly innovative and playful. This Swiss made watch enjoys a 2-year warranty. It has sapphire crystal covering glass and quartz movement. Besides, this designer watch by gucci is water resistant to 100 feet. The water-resistant functionality is not to encourage to go swimming wearing the watch, but at least when won’t have to worry about it in raining.

Roger Dubuis Launches Excalibur in Dalian China

In order to celebrated the launch of its Excalibur collection in Dalian, China,Roger Dubuis recently have holding a cocktail party at the Dalian Jinhua Watches and Anshan Wisdom Swiss Watch Shop.

The new line is the Excalibur Visible Micro-rotor Automatic Tourbillion, which is equipped with the new RD520 movement. And also it is the first self-winding tourbillion fitted with a micro-rotor. It will available in a limited editior of 88 pieces.

Elsewhere you'll find the Excalibur Bi-retrograde jumping date (an evolution of the RD14B movement with Butterfly Calendar), the Excalibur Visible Micro-rotor Chronograph (featuring the new COSC certified movement RD781), and the EXCALIBUR Triple Time Zone World Time.

Dalian Jinhua Watches was created in 1992 and by 2008 in recognition of its services, its Chairman Liu Zhong Yang was named the sole Haute Horlogerie ambassador in China by the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FIHH).