A Different Approach to the FKM Rubber Watch Strap
Rubber watch straps are often associated with sports watches, warmer weather and an active lifestyle. They are valued for their durability, stability and resistance to everyday wear—but they are also frequently thick, heavily textured and unmistakably sporty.
When we began developing our own FKM strap, we wanted to explore a different possibility: could a rubber strap retain its practical character while feeling more refined, comfortable and versatile on the wrist?
Why FKM?
FKM is a high-performance synthetic rubber known for its durability, flexibility and resistance to heat, moisture and everyday wear. These qualities make it particularly well suited to a strap intended for regular use.
For the exterior, we selected FKM with a subtle sailcloth-inspired texture. It adds visual depth without making the strap appear overly technical or athletic. This restrained character allows it to complement not only sports watches, but also watches with more classical proportions and quieter dial designs.
Comfort on the Wrist
Although FKM is practical, not everyone enjoys the feeling of rubber resting directly against the skin, particularly during long periods of daily wear.
For this reason, we retained the same genuine Zermatt leather lining used throughout our handcrafted leather strap collection. Its soft, smooth surface offers a more familiar and comfortable wearing experience for collectors accustomed to fine leather.
This combination defines the character of the collection: FKM on the exterior for resilience, and Zermatt leather on the interior for comfort and refinement.
A Slimmer, More Refined Profile
Many conventional rubber straps are designed with substantial thickness to complement larger sports watches. While visually strong, they can feel disproportionate on slimmer watches or beneath a shirt cuff.
Our FKM strap gradually transitions from approximately 2.5mm near the lugs to around 2mm at the buckle. The slimmer construction creates a lighter, more flexible fit and allows the strap to sit naturally against the case without overwhelming the watch.
Although the exterior material is different, each strap is carefully cut, assembled, stitched and finished by hand, following the same principles as our leather collection.
Everyday Resilience, with an Important Distinction
The combination of an FKM exterior and leather lining is a deliberate choice, but it also means that this is not a fully waterproof swimming or diving strap.
It can comfortably accommodate normal daily exposure such as perspiration, handwashing and occasional splashes, but it should not be submerged or worn while swimming. For prolonged exposure to water, a fully rubber-lined strap remains the more appropriate choice.
Rather than attempting to make one strap suitable for every situation, we focused on a particular wearing experience: greater everyday practicality without losing the comfort and refinement of a finely made leather strap.
A Different Kind of Rubber Strap
Our FKM Sailcloth Rubber strap sits between the worlds of traditional leather and conventional rubber. It is suited to warm days, travel and regular daily wear, while remaining understated enough for the office, dinner or a more formal setting.
It offers the resilience and contemporary texture of FKM, the comfort of a fine leather lining and the proportions and hand finishing of a carefully made leather strap.
For us, this is a different approach to the FKM rubber watch strap—not simply a change of material, but a reconsideration of how a rubber strap can look, feel and live alongside a wider variety of watches.
