Ten Great Straps For the Tudor Black Bay Pro
(Well, Not Really 10 But I Couldn’t Narrow It Down)
If you found this page, like me, you may have been intrigued by the black bay pro. I was immediately smitten. When released I started the process I know all too well. I had to have it, and the hunt was on. I embarked into a hard-target search of every gas station, residence, warehouse, farmhouse, henhouse, outhouse, doghouse, and AD until I found my fugitive pro. One problem, the pro I found was on the fabric strap. That strap is awesome super comfortable, looks great and it keeps me cool in the Texas heat. The problem is that I really wanted the bracelet but just couldn’t wait once any pro was in my hands. A small white lie from my AD that I could order a bracelet with no mention that the wait will probably be the better part of a year. In the meantime I have quite a strap addiction so I have tried a ton of awesome straps to see if anything will scratch that itch. Affiliate link alert. P.S. Joma Shop has great deals on the black bay pro.
First Things First
The OEM tudor Fabric Strap. Im not going to regurgitate the tudor talking points here you can find them yourself. The tudor fabric strap really is special. It is perfectly made super comfortable and has a level of refinement that you would expect from this great brand. The best features are that it is single pass so no added bulk. The spring bars are sewed in, so it always sits right where tudor designed it to fit and it is adjustable so you can tweak and tweak it to get the perfect fit and perfect amount of tail. So what are the cons. Well it is Tudor OEM so it is expensive to buy it on its own, and I hear it also has a wait although to a lesser extend. Even still, considering the alternatives it just cannot be justified.
Tudor Nato Alternatives
Top to Bottom: Crown and Buckle Chevron 58; StrapHabit Khaki; StrapHabit Green; Crown and Buckle Chevron Shadow
The Near Perfect Tudor Single Pass Alternative
The Crown and Buckle single pass chevron strap is drastically less expensive but almost as refined as the Tudor fabric strap. It is every bit as well made as the Tudor. The hardware is well built and has a great level of refinement. The end of the nato is sewn and the holes are ultrasonically cut so they will resist fraying and wear. I would argue it feels softer on the wrist than even the original Tudor, is more breathable, and it comes in a huge variety of colors without breaking the bank. With a strap beast like the BB pro almost anything works great. The only thing it lacks that the Tudor has is the sewn in spring bar slots. But on the counterpoint this makes for much easier strap changes. I admittedly have a strap problem so I found that with a pocket full of single pass natos I can change my strap many times throughout the day and have pocket space to spare. My only complaint about the crown and buckle nato is that there a less holes than on other straps. They are adjustable but I find, at least with my wrist to get the tail of the strap just through the second keeper I am always sitting on the last or next to last hole depending on wrist swell. So while they are great there is that one small issue. The Crown and Buckle Chevron Straps Range from $30-34. and can be found at this link. Also this is not sponsored and this is not an affiliate link. I just love these natos.
Crown and Buckle Chevron Shadow on the Black Bay Pro
Great Budget Single Pass With Style
If spending over $30 on a single pass nato sounds silly, I get it, well I got it until I tried the C&B. But with that said there are alternatives. Strip away a little bit of the refinement. Take away the stitched end cut the holes where they are capable of aging a little and you are still left with a killer single pass. Specifically, I am talking about the StrapHabit adjustable nylon strap. Had I never tried the more expensive alternatives these would be my go to. And at nearly half the price, $16 you can buy twice as many with the same budget. And even with these other options these straps constantly find their way onto my watches more often than not. And on the wrist you do not miss anything the others offer. They don’t feel cheap by any means they are just right. If you have ever used a nato strap, as I am sure most of you have, these are just an elevated verision of a nato strap if you got rid of that extra pass that to me adds nothing but extra bulk. They use the same adjustment system as the other two mentioned. The adjustment once you understand how to use it is a game changer. But these straps have one big advantage, they have way more flexibility than the crown and buckle or the OEM tudor. They have more holes and are longer than the crown and buckle or the Tudor. As such, they will fit more wrists, if not every wrist, and offer a more customized fit to tail ratio. If you are like me you want the tail of your nato to just peak through the last keeper so it will feel secure and you don’t have all that excess. I got there on my Tudor and crown and buckle straps but am running out of holes if my wrist swells in the heat. The StrapHabit gives me that same fit but with the security of a few more holes tighter and looser to allow for more wrist fluctuations. Also, because they are not over-engineered they promise to age with the wearer giving you that vintage nato vibe the black bay pro was built to satisfy. As far as negatives there really aren’t any that would be fair. With this one you know what you are getting. I could complain that it doesn’t have the sewn ends, the nicer laser cut holes, and the beefy more refined hardware but that seems unfair. Does it have those features? NO. But would I expect that at this price? Also no. Would I love those features at this price? Certainly! I double dog dare you to deliver that at $16 StrapHabit. Make it happen! Use This Link to Save 15% on StrapHabit Straps.
StrapHabit Green Adjustable Nylon
StrapHabit Khaki Adjustable Nylon
Rubber Straps
Ok I have a new obsession. I have found a love for rubber straps. A nato is comfortabe and it works great on the pro…BUT, the secret is out. The black bay pro has a little junk in the trunk. A hearty rubber strap when done right can really give you the sense of security and offset the weight of the watch head. And when done right they are breathable and disappear on the wrist. I have tried good rubber straps and I have tried bad rubber straps. Again, here I will talk about straps at a few different price points.
The Not So Budget Option
Horus reached out to me early on when I essentially had no followers (and in the grand scheme of things I still don’t). They said, “hey, I like your pictures & I want to send you some straps… if you like them, great, if you don’t that’s fine too.” No asks, no demands, no followers. That is awesome, and that is confidence. Then the straps came and I understood why the confidence. They knew that anyone who gets a Horus strap in their hands will get it. I got it! They certainly are not the cheapest option at $175 a piece. But they know straps and they know the experience counts. This is a small thing but each strap comes in a well made box and sits on a little cushion. The straps would be fine in a bag like 90% of other straps but the attention to detail provides that luxury experience a WIS can appreciate. And the boxes make a pretty good spring bar tool holder. They also come with a set of spring bars, and a polishing cloth. Still, it’s not just the packaging that is premium. The Horus rubber straps are soft, flexible, supple, light, yet seem very sturdy. The colors are on point. The OD (Olive) green is OD green not forest green. The Grey is Grey not blue grey. It sounds weird to tout that fact but its the little things that don’t live up to expectations that destroy an experience. The colors are exactly what you would imagine if you closed your eyes and imagined a fill in the blank colored strap. They are also sturdy. I said it before but it bears repeating. I have had cheap rubber/ silicon straps that have ripped on me at the spring bars. Not these. These straps feel like the kind of product you would trust to dive into a shipwreck, or I guess a cave in the case of the BB pro, get them snagged on a treasure chest, and the strap and watch would survive to tell the tale. I’m not that guy, I’m a desk diver at best, but these straps, like my tool watches make me feel like less of a tool. Pun intended.
As great as they are its not all sunshine and rainbows, just mostly. I have 3 small critiques. 1) The big one is they are on the pricey side. At $175 a pop I cant make that decision for you. They aren’t the most expensive straps, and certainly aren’t the least expensive either. Yes they are great. They are “worth the money.” This is an expensive ass hobby. I get all that, but even with my promo code and link below (Shameless plug) they fall into the luxury category as their tag line claims. They hit that mark in experience but you will vote with your dollars not mine. 2) My other gripe is the absence of quick release spring bars. You were learn that this is my passion project. I have a bit of a strap issue. I’m getting help, but I don’t want help. With that said a quick release, to me seems every bit as secure as a spring bar. Please, comment below to correct me if I am wrong. Please Horus and anyone else who reads this listen closely. Everything needs to be quick release. They have even figured out quick release bracelets! For the strap addicts like me I don’t want to carry a spring bar tool anymore. 3) my third gripe is not for me because they fit me perfectly but large wristed folks at or over 8in need not apply. The tail end is a little shorter than average so you may be on the last hole or it may not even fit. I imagine their website states this but a brief word of warning.
To Save 20% on Horus Straps Use This link and Promo Code: talkingabouttime
Not Just the Budget Option (But Yes the Budget Option)
StrapHabit FKM straps are killer. FKM is some sort of miracle rubber. Look it up. I am not that guy. In short FKM is an industrial rubber that’s soft, durable, supple, its just awesome. go buy some. Shit, buy all of them before StrapHabit realizes they can charge more for these things.
Let me back up. I saw a StrapHabit review somewhere, so I looked into them. Ohio based American company run by a watch lover who happens be be a really nice guy. Plus he teamed up with @Brodinkee and designed a bad ass pink strap and gave all the proceeds to cancer research. What’s not to love right? Wait there’s more. American company selling straps at bargain basement prices. You see all that you have to be a customer right? Even if they suck at least you got some good karma and aren’t out a ton of cash. Well… I ordered a handful of straps. A few sailcloth, a canvas or two and one, count it, one FKM tropical strap. I was changed. everything was nice. Everything I got from them punched way above its weight class. But, the real standout was the FKM straps. These things are insane. It’s honestly difficult to dream up a description that will do them service because they really are like nothing else. They don’t feel like silicone, they don’t feel like traditional rubber. Somehow, they manage to take all the best aspects of those substances, discard the negative aspects and what you are left with is sheer magic. They they seem purpose built to take on any task. Also the tropical strap is so classic I feel like it can be dressed up in a pinch. (See photo above sitting pretty on my suit and tie). They just exude confidence and I trust my pricey toys on them. After posting photos of that strap constantly, I reached out to StrapHabit and was able to get a few more straps in for review. I don’t even know what to say about this magical substance, I just want all of them. I’ve said it before but it bares repeating, you have to feel it for yourself. Also after trying a few I can say the StrapHabit FKM straps are all equal quality in my eyes. Just pick the style or styles you like and run with it. But for the black bay pro my favorites are the vintage style tropical straps, the waffle strap, and the ridge straps. They are equally soft, pliable, comfortable, and breathable. Perfect for summer, swimming, hiking, cave diving, or if you are like me changing diapers and cleaning up dog shit from your geriatric schnauzer. You know, tool watch shit! Also every strap I have tried from StrapHabit has quick release spring bars. So tools are a thing of the past.
The primary issue I have with StrapHabit FKM straps are some of the colors. I love a good OD or olive green if you have read this far you may have probably gathered that. It is probably an unfair criticism, because the colors on the website are accurate but this is my blog and their green is very much a forest green. Their red doesn’t seem to have the depth I would want in a red, and I also want to put in a request for a darker almost charcoal grey strap. Some but not all of their colors seem to be just short of the tones I am dreaming of. When I close my eyes and image X colored strap this is not what I imagine. Again the website is accurate but the heart wants what the heart wants. With that said I wear my forest green ridge, and Ill call it my light grey tropical often but cant keep looking down wishing for something slightly different. Just my opinion take it or leave it or just buy their awesome black fkm straps. My last gripe with the StrapHabit FKM straps are that while all the praises are true, the FKM straps are a tad dense. They feel substantial so this gripe is is in reality probably a benefit but I bears stating. When you wear a FKM next to a horus rubber strap you feel the weight difference. Keep in mind, this is the black bay pro suggestion post and here this extra weight actually helps offset the beefy watch head. But if you trade your straps between multiple watches they sometimes feel a tad off balance on a less Kardashian watch.
Use This Link to Save 15% on StrapHabit Straps.
Leather Straps
The Premium Option.
I have to go back to my boys at Horus on this one. I have a soft spot for products that are made in America. These straps just scream premium, quality, luxury... They are handmade right here in the USA. How many things can you say that about? You get the same ownership experience described in my rubber review, with nice packaging, a set of spring bars, a polishing cloth. They are soft Italian leather, they fit just right, they have great beefy 316L stainless steel hardware. They have a bunch of color options that again are just right. The stitching is near perfect if not perfect. They require zero, no seriously, zero break in period. They also fit the black bay pro perfectly. They somehow have just the right amount of padding and thickness while still being pliable and comfortable. This is a great strap for the black bay pro. If a leather strap isn’t thick enough the watch head gets off balance and seems much thicker than it feels with a less substantial and secure strap. More on this later in the honorable mention section.
They are just right…well almost just right. This is going to sound redundant. All that goodness is not cheap; and they once again they don’t have quick release and they are probably going to be a little short for large wrists although I feel like the leather fits a little longer. Just copy and past my critique from the rubber straps here as the same applies. but seriously, please give me quick release I’m sick of scratching the back of my lugs with my ham-handed attempts at strap changes and I want to wear/change my Horus straps without pocketing a tool.
To Save 20% on Horus Straps Use This link and Promo Code: talkingabouttime
The Budget Option
By now you know the black bay pro is an absolute strap monster so you can throw a lot at it. Almost everything will work. Ritchie Watch Bands has a ton of cool very inexpensive straps to throw at it. Off the bat, everything they have has quick release, check, they have a ton of color options, check, they all look great, double check, they are low priced, triple check, they feel strong so your confident your expensive toy isn’t going to tumble to the ground. I really love my ritchie watch bands. You just need to know one thing. They need a little break in time. That is it. The leather looks great, it is full grain if not top grain leather, they are just a little stiff and dare I say cheap feeling right out of the bag. As they should feel at the price. Each Ritchie leather band I get goes through a break in process. Before I wear them I work them out. I massage them bend them every way I can. Its almost my little ritual. After all that you are left with a damn good leather strap without breaking the bank. And they look incredible. They never break in to the point where they feel like a horus or like the other great handmade leather straps who’s names I have forgotten at this point but you also did not spend premium money on it. Just enjoy that you have five good straps for the price of one great strap. One more small gripe. My ritchie grey suede strap is one of my favorites. To this day it also has the most views and likes on my Instagram paired on my black bay pro. But it ain’t grey its blue/grey damn near baby blue. I love it but it had to grow on me because I ordered a grey suede strap and got something that’s just kinda grey and kinda blue.
To Save 15% on Ritchie Watch Bands use this link and promo code: Ritche15
The Cool Kid On The Block
Ok I got cool new strap. I know hybrid straps are not exactly new, but this one is new to me. It’s leather but it isn’t leather, Its rubber but its also leather. It is a hybrid strap. This thing is a cool piece of tech. If you can call Italian leather sewn into a rubber strap tech, yeah it feels like technology? So my newest friend at strap seeker messaged me and gave me one option. Hey we like your pictures. Try out our watts hybrid strap. We will send you one. Cool ill try it. This thing is incredible at $45. It’s pretty comfortable it is absolutely breathable. The leather is premium looking and feeling. It looks killer, and the mustard color pairs so perfectly with the gmt hand and vintage vibes of the black bay pro. The way the black rubber peaks over the edge of the leather has this awesome contrast that just hits all the marks for me. Someone smarter than me called the black bay pro the Pikachu and this strap leans right into that in the best ways. You don’t have to worry about sweat because all you touch is the ridged rubber backing. It is so close to being perfect right. So close to perfect. You guessed it, no quick release. (writer pulls out soap box). On this strap it’s a little harder to get past this issue. The rubber at the lugs is not soft at all. It is borderline plastic, it is not that pliable it is kind of hard. Mind you I’m talking just about at the lugs. The rest of the rubber, the part that touches your skin feels great and is not the problem. The problem is, to remove the strap you have no option but to dig in with your spring bar tool. And this strap is so well made the tolerances are tight. Maybe I’m doing it wrong, but It’s not fun or easy. I know I will get better at it, but in a world where quick release has become almost the standard, I feel like this is a major oversight at least for this strap. Still, I have to suggest this strap. It is otherwise probably one of the best values out there and really is a great product. Especially if you are NOT me and don’t change your watch and or strap multiple times a day. You could absolutely live with this strap on your watch. It cant go swimming that much I confirmed with strap seeker so maybe you will throw something else on periodically to test out that 200m water resistance. Still, it’s a keeper. I’m just a little scared to put it into heavy rotation.
Use this link and promo code: talkabttime to save 15% on Strap Seeker Straps
Honorable Mentions
The Black Bay pro also looks good on almost anything. The only caveat to that is that the Strap needs to be suitable to offset the somewhat heavy watch head. Also the lug shape and the location of the holes on the pro make many thinner straps sit closer to the wrist making for a top heavy wearing experience. Also at some angles a thinner strap will exentuate the thickness of the watch. One would think a nato especially a single pass would suffer this same fate. On some levels it does. But a NATO also can have a tighter more customized fit than a thin leather or sailcloth strap so I’m going to give it a pass. Also, that is kind of the vibe of the nato. It is supposed to look dressed down. For lack of a better term an illfitting vintage leather of sailcloth strap looks, ill fitting not just dressed down. It lacks intent. My honorable mentions are all great straps but fall a little short because of the faults of the watch not the straps. But again, this is just me your mileage may vary and you may love these combos.
Sailcloth Straps
The StrapHabit premium sailcloth is one of my favorite straps. They also are the exception to the StrapHabit color issue. Their colors are spot on for all my watches. They look great at the right angle. However they are flat unpadded straps. So they suffer from the lack of balance and a somewhat problematic wrist presence on the black bay pro. But for every other watch they are one of my go to straps. They photograph well on the pro but if you catch them at that one angle you are greeted by the slab of thickness which the pro is notorious for. But while you are at it please go buy their pink sailcloth strap 100% goes to support cancer research at real men wear pink. Its been out of stock in 20mm for a while but should be back in no time (or so I am told).
Use This Link to Save 15% on StrapHabit Straps.
Vintage Leather
Thin Vintage leather straps are perhaps some of the most comfortable straps I have tried. But on the pro they suffer from the same issues as the sailcloth straps. On 11-12mm vintage inspired watches, even divers (I know right) they just work. But on 13-14mm you need some thickness to meet at the case. The Ritchie Vintage leather straps are a great example of this. They are not the thinnest leather there is and need a little break in. And again at the straight on angle they are amazing. But they don’t always suit the thickness of the pro due to where Tudor put the lug holes. To Save 15% on Ritchie Watch Bands use this link and promo code: Ritche15
Disclaimer
Not all but many of these straps were sent to me free for review and most of these are affiliate links where I will receive a small commission from purchases. Please try to use these links. This website and this content is not always free and a little goes a long way to helping me provide this content and grow this blog. With most of these products I was a customer long before I ever got anything from these people. I also will never promote something I wouldn’t trust or use myself. I hope you enjoy my content and look forward to your support. For more links to great deals on products and companies I genuinely love click here.