New band needed: metal or leather?

Farmer X · **on:** March 23, 2025, 04:07:02 PM

Here's the watch in question:

[ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]

I received this watch in a trade with a fellow MTo'er. While I like the look of the metal band, it's a little too small for my wrist. I don't have any other bands that I think would suit this watch. So I'll put a new one on eventually. But I'm not sure if I should stick with metal or go with leather. What do y'awl think?

old Lefty · **Reply #1 on:** March 23, 2025, 07:43:43 PM

Nice watch!
Voted for leather, medium witdh, plain, mud brown would be my choice

Barry Rowland · **Reply #2 on:** March 23, 2025, 07:48:16 PM

Same here, but you might want to check out a NATO band too Dan. Durable and comfortable.

PitCarver · **Reply #3 on:** March 23, 2025, 08:51:33 PM

I voted leather also, buddy, and would second a NATO band.

Farmer X · **Reply #4 on:** March 24, 2025, 01:42:19 AM

Thanks, y'awl!

Incidentally, I found a watch on eBay that was nearly identical to mine. Only a few small details were different. So I now believe my watch is a Timex President. Seems it originally came with a gold and silver bracelet.

It looks like leather (black, of course) might be the way to go. A NATO band isn't the look I'm going for with this watch; it would be too casual. NATO bands are all right, but I prefer what I've heard called a single-pass strap.

nate j · **Reply #5 on:** March 24, 2025, 01:46:09 AM

Voted metal.

Not a fan of leather bands due to poor water resistance.

Farmer X · **Reply #6 on:** March 24, 2025, 02:01:04 AM

I hadn't considered that. Though I don't see the Timex getting much exposure to water, I'll keep that in mind should I need to replace other watch bands (such as the horrendous "quick wrap" things on Casio Foresters).

AzteCypher · **Reply #7 on:** March 25, 2025, 04:17:44 PM

I vote for a black leather band as well. I switched one or two of mine from metal to leather. Gives it a new look.

ToolJoe · **Reply #8 on:** March 25, 2025, 11:35:34 PM

All I wear on watches anymore are single strap pass through bands. Here is where I get mine from:

https://countycomm.com/collections/watch-bands/products/maratac-mil-series-bands?variant=29436020064326

Always had a good experience and never an issue with them.

Farmer X · **Reply #9 on:** March 26, 2025, 12:09:00 AM

Thanks, gents!

The single pass leather strap is well worth considering. I'm sure that I'll eventually have both leather and metal bands for that Timex.

WhichDawg · **Reply #10 on:** April 13, 2025, 06:40:00 PM

Whatever type of band you get (I wanted to vote for both ALL types of band) make sure they have “Quick Release” pins & band to change to any type easy!

Farmer X · **Reply #11 on:** April 13, 2025, 09:12:00 PM

Quick-release pins could be very beneficial. Thanks for the tip!

WhichDawg · **Reply #12 on:** April 14, 2025, 05:26:57 PM

Quote from: Farmer X on April 13, 2025, 09:12:00 PM

Quick-release pins could be very beneficial. Thanks for the tip!

AND "BAND" it has to support quick release pins to work on metal bracelet and Leather/other. they have a groove/slot to be able to use the release button

here's a pic of one of my leather bands with the quick release pins and slot in band:

Farmer X · **Reply #13 on:** April 16, 2025, 02:30:55 AM

The quick-release pin has some obvious benefits. I do have some worries about them digging into my skinny little wrists, though.

Antti Lammi · **Reply #14 on:** April 16, 2025, 08:18:16 AM

it really depends how those quick release pins slot is made, if i correctly remember i had one of bands where you could push them closer to watch so it would dig in to your wrist.