Besides the prestige a watch can hold for an individual, collectors and wearers often view these items as universal accessories. Something that you can mix and match with multiple outfits for an array of settings.
With the industry constantly evolving - new shapes, models, features, materials and sizes of watches are being released on a frequent basis. All which pose a unique offering for any wearer.
One of the most compelling aspects of owning any timepiece is its customisation. This is commonly seen with the Seiko 5 range with many collectors taking them apart and attaching new bezels, dials and straps. It allows for collectors to showcase a piece of their personality on their wrist.
This article looks to provide insight into the world of understanding watch materials and customisation – providing alternative options for each and every wearer all within one timepiece.
Table of Contents
How Materials Influence a Watch
Whether it be stainless steel, plastic, titanium, ceramic, or precious metal – a watches materials play a significant role in how it feels and looks tremendously. Each have their own place respectfully; it just depends on what you are searching for.
Stainless Steel
Most people shopping for an everyday or budget friendly dress watch will gravitate towards stainless steel. Whether that be with a polished steel finish or gold plated differs person to person. But the do it all, safe as houses option is definitely stainless steel.
Plastic and Resin
Moving onto plastic, this is more so seen in brands such as Casio, Lorus and utility-based watches. Targeted around people who enjoy a light feeling watch on their wrist yet are rough as sandpaper. Children and tradies are the first two groups that spring to mind and they offer a great proposition for those who know they’d completely scratch up an elegant steel watch.
Titanium
Then there is your in-between but slightly on the most expensive side. Titanium. An amazing material due to how light and durable it is, yet it still has the elegance and everyday utility of a steel watch. More resistant to scratches dents and corrosion, it in my opinion is the most underrated watch material on the market.
Ceramic and Precious Metals
The next step from that is ceramic and precious metals. Ceramic is an amazing material when it comes to watches due to its scratch resistance. It is primarily used for bezels for watches and is a common feature in expensive watch ranges such as the Rolex Submariner. There are entirely ceramic watches that do exist and are manufactured by brands such as Audemars Piguet and Richard Mille but expect to pay north of $150,000 for something like the AP 26579CE!
As for precious metals such as yellow, rose and white gold as well as platinum, these are exclusively seen in your high-end watch brands. All the names in the previous paragraph are in that long list. The majority of the appeal surrounding these sorts of watches is the fact that you have the watch. An 18-carat gold Rolex is hard to go unnoticed in a conversation with someone. But they do have much of the benefits and qualities that something like ceramic or titanium has - they just look ten times better with a heftier price tag.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Look, this might sound crazy, but everyone’s wrist isn’t the same size. Shock, I know right. Despite this article focusing on the universal aspect that a watch can hold not all of them can fit every person reading this.
If you do wish to gain some further insight into what watches might fit, you or even getting a bit of an idea about watch dimensions. You should definitely read the article below.
Considering Alternative Straps
One of the only things regarding size not referenced in that article is how lug measurement affects strap compatibility. If that all sounds foreign to you let me make it more simple.
Most male sized watches fall within the 18-26mm lug measurement, this distance is called ‘lug width’. This must identically match up with whatever aftermarket strap you wish to equip your watch with.
If you are unsure of your lug width the general consensus amongst the watch community is that your strap width correlates to 50% of your case size.
For example, a 38mm case diameter equals a 19mm strap width and so on.
90% of the time, if your watch is able to be fitted with an alternate strap the manufacturer typically distributes those options. This entices watch buyers to purchase just the singular watch as it provides a plethora of options and utility for the consumer.
But if this isn’t the case there are a few ways of going about it. First of all, you can read into the dimensions and marry them up accordingly to make that you still have a snug fit. Or secondly, you can head into your local jewellery store and gain advice off people in the industry. They have specialised systems which marry watches to bracelets that compatibly fit. Another advantage of going into a jewellery store is majority of the time they will also be able to acquire and fit the bracelet for you.
Watch Recommendations: Different Material and Strap Options
In this list I look to offer multiple options that have to be not only customisable, but also made from different materials with different straps. This way I can cover all basis of what any wearer might be searching for as their next purchase.
Seiko 5 Sports SRPD55K Automatic
If customisation and versatility are your top priorities when shopping for a watch, you seriously shouldn’t look anywhere else than the Seiko 5 range. Coming in a robust stainless-steel case and oyster bracelet it is the most outfit neutral watch on the market.
Despite this, the Seiko 5 range has practically an infinite number of modification available online – some which are sold through Seiko regarding straps other not. But if you don’t know whether you like the steel or something like a rubber/silicone band, Seiko have you covered with the Seiko 5 SRPL01K Sports Supercars Limited Editon – offering both interchangeable straps in the one box!
It seriously is the safest route to go in terms of watch modification.
Citizen Eco-Drive AT2530-85X Chronograph
I raved about the proposition of titanium before, so it felt right to put one in this list. With a stunning green dial and chronograph function it definitely serves as a great option at the $850 mark.
The only pitfall of this watch is it versatility, not coming with any alternate factory (factory meaning citizen branded) bracelet options. But if you disregard that it is seriously a phenomenal watch. A part of the Citizen eco-drive family (running on a solar mechanism – enhancing the battery life), coming with sapphire crystal glass and 40% lighter than its stainless-steel counterpart - it seriously is amazing bang for your buck.
Citizen Quartz BF2023-01H
Now although I don’t gravitate personally toward this watch, there is now denying how amazing versatile and customisable and stunning it is at the assigned price point. Coming in leather, gold plated and polish stainless steel variants, you can mix and match as you wish.
That is the one thing at Citizen beta out all their competitors in, the ability to really nail their watch craftsmanship for a fraction of the price in comparison to their competitors.
Citizen EO2020-08E Promaster Marine
Honestly a round of applause for Citizen, I never realised how many variants of each watch that they have. Now with a Polyurethane strap for your more outdoors orientated people. An automatic diver’s watch with a 37mm case size and multiple strap options for under $500 is insane value in my eyes.
Hence the need for it to get a deserving spot on this list.
Go For What You Like!
Most of all and above all else, go for something you like. Just because a watch isn’t customisable doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t go for it. Always research and see whether there are ways you can make changes down the line but usually if the watch isn’t customisable its for good reason. Typically because the watch was made a certain way to give off a particular feel or aesthetic, That is my biggest piece of advice.
