I am searching for a comfortable summer (think lots of heat and humidity) dive watch strap.
Do the big holes in Isofrane type straps afford greater ventilation/air flow in hot weather? Is that why they call them “tropic?” Or are they for facilitating water circulation when diving?
Any good “hot, humid weather” rubber strap suggestions appreciated.
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Yes, the more holes a strap has the greater the opportunity for the skin underneath to breathe. Thick cheap plastic straps can cause irritation in hot and humid weather and so a soft supple strap such as an Isofrane or similar would be much more comfortable.
Originally Posted by thisisallen
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I have my Explorer II on Isofrane for the summer. Feels so nice and cool. Absolutely worth the money it costs for a good ventilated rubber strap.
I wear an Isofrane and find it works a treat, although i dont tend to sweat that easy i tend to find some rubber straps can cause my wrist to get quite clammy, and thats here in the UK.
Another thing to consider is the tropic type straps and the isofrane are completely different and tend to suit different Watches, if you have a chunkier dive Watch and go down the isofrane route you can always try a cheaper generic one first to see if your happy with how the holes ventilate.
Matt
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I think ISOfrane-type straps are excellent in the summer for the reasons you suggest, and also because they don’t have to be tight to hold the watch on your wrist without it moving around.
Genuine ISOfranes are expensive - currently a minimum of £110 from WatchObsession. Having had both I can safely say that the equivalent strap from Borealis is every bit as good, and the one I bought recently cost me £23 delivered from Portugal. All they lack is the vanilla smell!
I actually bought this complete rig (brand new Divex + 22mm Borealis) to use as a summer holiday watch, for less than the price of an ISOfrane on its own!
Simon
Last edited by mycroft; 22nd June 2018 at 07:19.
Take a look at the Crafter Blue website. I got one for my Tudor BBN and haven’t looked back - very reasonably priced compared to Rubber B, Everest etc.
I've had Crafter Blue and sold them, though the fitted lug look is super cool, their rubber is horrible and stiff.
+1 on Borealis though, can't recommend them highly enough.
This brand offers strong value and a wide range of straps. I have several and find them all comfy. I know nothing about the retailer, just linking to a well ventilated rubber strap.
https://www.luxwatchstraps.com/produ...-made-in-italy
I would also recommend you look at the isofrane style offerings from Obris Morgan.
These are all much cheaper than Isofrane brand but are remarkably close in comfort.
+2 for the Borealis
would have to disagree - mine is nice and pliable.
Just about to buy one of them for my BBR. Realy like the black and red colour on the one I want. Hope you are right!!
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+3 for Borealis.
Have my seamaster on Borealis 3 weeks now, just spent week in southern France and it was very comfortable. I took bracelet with me too, but in not one moment thought that I have to change it.
OP here. Just found a problem I didn’t realize existed. I need an 18mm strap for the Marathon Medium - 36mm version of TSAR.
(Not my pic cuz I’m using my iPad and don’t have any stored on it at the moment)
Isofrane, O M, Borealis don’t offer that size. :)
The Marathon rubber is not bad but can be uncomfortable in hot weather. Someone above mentioned how the Isofrane type straps can be worn more loosely. That would be ideal.
Anyone know of an 18mm alternative?
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Just back from Kevs Jewellery shop, he's a member here (kevcojak) the purpose of the exercise was to treat the wife to a diamond ring, and that I did thanks to Kev.
Anyway, couldn't help noticing Kev had a few generic isofrane straps for sale in his shop for £10 each and thought of this thread, here's a quick pic of the Straps.
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Love that brown colour.Just back from Kevs Jewellery shop, he's a member here (kevcojak) the purpose of the exercise was to treat the wife to a diamond ring, and that I did thanks to Kev.
Anyway, couldn't help noticing Kev had a few generic isofrane straps for sale in his shop for £10 each and thought of this thread, here's a quick pic of the Straps.
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Yes I quite liked that one, surprisingly supple too, I have a genuine isofrane and they are not ten times better as the price would suggest.
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Just had this Isofrane come through from SC. 1st thoughts are very well made and comfy too.
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Last edited by SiSetts; 3rd July 2018 at 10:49.
This looks wonderful and I’d love a similar setup.Just had this Isofrane come through from SC. 1st thoughts are very well made and comfy too.
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But why ARE Isofrane so damn expensive? Crafter Blue are cheaper and they have watch-specific designs, but I’ve never handled either of them.
Thankyou.
This Isofrane new is £150 so yes alot of money. Have had it on a day now and it realy does wear very well.
Have got a Crafter Blue coming on my birthday. Only 2 more weeks to wait!!
This will be going onto my Tudor Black Bay Heritage. Price was around £65. Time will tell how they both compare.
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I’d love it if you did a comparison report in a new thread. This forum is getting me into rubber...
Will do.
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Another plug for the Borealis straps. Basically the same at a fraction of the price.
Someone asked earlier why they have the large holes in them; its to allow the strap to stretch when you put it on slightly over-tensioned before the dive. At depth a wetsuit is compressed by the water pressure and a non-flexible strap or bracelet becomes loose and the watch will flop around. The other option is a Seiko style waffle strap that does the same thing.
These days I dive in a rubber NATO. Its stretches to compensate for wetsuit compression and holds both pins in case one comes loose on a dive.
(Ask Alex at Yellowdog straps about rubber NATOs)
Last edited by bedlam; 5th July 2018 at 01:08.
Where is the best place to buy the Borealis rubber straps? They all seem to be sold out on the Borealis site.
Picked up mine from ObrisMorgan.com last year. Until last week was sitting in the drawer. Thought I'd try it given the hot weather we're having and finding it very comfortable.
Write up here -
http://www.obrismorgan.com/naturalru...atch-bros.html
Just fitted this Crafter Blue. 1st thoughts pretty nice. More to follow.
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