Watches: clasp or leather band?

[oiprocs]

I've always thought watches with clasps look nicer, shinier, flashier, whatever.

But I'm considering getting a leather one. I think it might look nice. And I won't have to remove clasps. I'm concerned it might get smelly though. 😕

Thoughts?

 

[RKS]

Most watches that I buy are water-resistant so I voted clasp. I used my Tag while snorkeling and often left it on in pools. It didn't make it through a game of football however.

 

[Descartes]

Some watches look great with a leather band. I wouldn't put a Casio digital on a leather band, but a simple, classy watch will look great. I have watches with leather bands and a couple with stainless.

Don't worry about it getting smelly. Unless you have some serious problems, a good quality band won't get smelly at all. It will start to get a patina to it and look real nice.

[edit]As a consideration, stainless looks great even when casual. Leather tends to have a more formal appearance.[/edit]

 

[oiprocs]

Leather has a more formal appearance? That doesn't sound right.

 

[Chryso]

With a silver watch, I like a clasp. With a gold watch I like leather.

 

[ggnl]

I like leather bands personally. Nice classic look, and they're much lighter than metal bands too.

 

[Deviant Grasshopper]

Leather bands are in style right now, but I personally prefer bracelets.


My overall opinion is that the type of watch matters more than the type of band on it. If I had to pick one watch I'd get a Seiko 5 Auto where I could put either leather or a bracelet on it.

Look at Seiko auto's - the skx007 is another classic nice looking watch that will take a bracelet or leather.

 

[Deviant Grasshopper]

A major downside to leather is that they typically don't do well with water. I've found even when properly cared for they will start to smell funky after a few years.

 

[EvilYoda]

There should be an option for both.

 

[SoulAssassin]

Both...different watches for different occasions. Why limit yourself to just one?

 

[mugs]

I prefer leather, mostly because I prefer the styles of watches that look better with a leather band (i.e. less massive watches that don't dwarf my girly wrists)

 

[Turin39789]

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