Also tried leaving out in fresh air 2 nights in a row and during day. Because not all watch bands are created equally, and they have their own wants, hopes, fears, and needs. Non-allergenic and non-toxic. The turning point for rubber watchstraps as luxury accessories was probably in the 1980s when Hublot introduced rubber watchbands (or rubber and metal hybrid straps) to luxury timepieces. As with any rubber, its performance isn’t just determined by its type, be it Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR), silicone rubber, polyurethene rubber or PVC rubber. New products containing rubber often smell the most of this chemical odor. I wore the original version for a while, before passing it on to a friend who does long distance open-water swimming, cycling, triathlons etc. Be careful not to leave the item in the sun too long, as this can often weaken the material and lead to cracks within the rubber. Durability. Rub along crevices and smaller areas … This is a tutorial on how to clean the white Apple Watch Wristband using only warm water and a special sponge. Rubber straps gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. Nor is it a “strap”. Over the years, other synthetic rubbers have been produced from petrochemical bases, including isoprene and neoprene. Fancy bright colours and ‘cheap and cheerful’ for occasional leisure use? In the 1980s, Italian manufacturer Bonetto Cinturini came onto the watchstrap scene. Citrus juices are very effective at cutting through smoke-related odors. I specialise in researching and writing in-depth articles on topics as diverse as Baselworld’s visual design, Steve McQueen’s Le Mans and the challenge of odd lug widths. So, if you’re ready to get into rubber, here’s our introduction to this most practical, versatile and increasingly stylish of watch band materials... Research including reviewing watch ads in Marco Strazzi’s excellent Watch Ads 1960–2000, reveals that rubber watch straps (initially for divers) entered the mainstream in the 1960s. If your teeth can handle it, your watch band can, too! Shinier than polymers like PU rubber, this is a thermoplastic vinyl polymer that’s very durable, but lacks the characteristics for high-end applications that make NBR so appealing. The only solution I found for stinky rubber on shoes is to keep it as clean as possible so the stench is not as strong. Try a toothbrush and some Dawn or other dishsoap. The Seiko SKX on ZULUDIVER 281 Blue Rubber - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine. Afterward, dry watch bands with a cotton cloth and allow them to sit. Repeat steps 3 - 5 for particularly pesky grime. Cloth. I have a few Zodiacs and they have started infusing a vanilla scent in the rubber of the bands, I clean my bands pretty regularly so they don't get smelly anyway, but I talked to the customer care guys and they said they did that to keep them from getting the "funk". Rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly. Well, maybe not with luxury brands’ signed versions, where a Rolex, Breitling or Omega rubber watch strap will cost a small fortune… But you certainly can with microbrand straps, which are much more affordable than the luxury brands’ straps (many of which are, in any case, made by the same manufacturers). 5. Dishwashing soap is important: It eats grease and organic matter (ewwwwwwwww) and the brush gets in between the metal links. I got a nail cleaner brush; if you are unfamiliar, here is a plethora thereof, and I take my watch off and scrub the band with dishwashing detergent once a week. Leather conditioner. ZULUDIVER PU NDL Type Diver's Watch Strap, ZULUDIVER Cordura® Premium Divers Watch Strap, ZULUDIVER Modern Tropical Style Rubber Watch Strap (MkII), 11407 SW Amu St, Suite #W4611, Tualatin, OR 97062, United States. Then maybe something to complement that Geckota K3 you’re going to buy? Peppermint oil does a fantastic job at masking odor within the short-term. Next, dampen the cloth, add a small amount of leather-safe detergent or shampoo, and clean your leather watch strap using small circular motions. The original was a super strap. Despite criticism of some 1960s rubber straps, genuine Tropic straps appear to have proved relatively durable. Dry the band with a nonabrasive, lint-free cloth before you attach it to your Apple Watch. In particular, isoprene straps enjoy a good reputation, but at a price that’s several times more than a top-quality vulcanised rubber watch strap. It is, in the company’s description, an Oysterflex, a “technical bracelet”.’ Rubber watch straps have firmly established themselves as must-have accessories for the more exotic watch bands! As rubber ages, it hardens. From Breitling’s Superocean Héritage to Carl F. Bucherer’s Patravi Scubatec and Eberhard’s award-winning Scafograf 300, rubber straps feature prominently. Place the rubber outside in direct sunlight for 2 hours, then rotate to ensure that the entire surface receives exposure. A black streak on your wrist when you take off your watch, or that pungent smelly watch strap aroma, is usually a good indicator of cleaning time. Use your fingers or soft brush to gently rub the paste onto the rubber strap. This article was a good read for the most part, but I was very surprised to read the following quote under the silicone rubber section: Hi Kenneth. As I've said to earlier posters, make sure you are careful and use a sharp knife or scalpel when cutting (adjusting) the strap for your wrist size. Many of the best rubber strap suppliers are microbrands who sell through an online watch strap store. Reply. Click here, These might be the perfect re-issue watches! Placing the rubber item outside for 1-2 days will reduce the potency of the chemical smelling aroma. Wipe the band clean with a nonabrasive, lint-free cloth. /* 336x280 - Top Content */ Scrub stains with a soft bristle toothbrush while keeping the watch bands submerged. Polyurethene rubber (‘urethene’) is another polymer with elastic properties – an elastomer – comprising a chain of organic units linked by urethene (carbamate) links. Give your watch that unique style, we offer a wide range of colours and styles! I use a nylon band, which is practically indestructible and can be washed with laundry or dish detergent. So I have the plum watch strap on mine, however I've noticed that the rubber has absorbed smells from my environment very easily, and I cannot get the scent out. My wrists sweat a bit, the watch bands soak it up, and it's not like I'd put a leather watch strap through the wash. The Mk II only makes it better! There was a time when a natural rubber strap for watches was an uncomfortably sticky, non-breathable, specialist item with a propensity to crack. When my watchband/sandals/etc. I have a gucci watch with a white silicone/ rubber watch band and it is filthy. Nowadays, however, the vulcanised nitrile rubber watch strap is one of the most popular and widely used for high-performance applications. Keep rinsing and lay it out flat to dry. He had one that broke, had rubber slip on & off & took alot of distress. He is thrilled with the strap, which now resides on a TISSOT T-touch. As a watch industry copywriter, I’ve often contributed to the WatchGecko website. Squirt a very small dab of non-corrosive soap--about half the size of a dime--on your finger, and gently rub it across the bottom and top of the first strap, making sure all … Once you've separated the watch head and bracelet, soak the bracelet in soapy water or rubbing alcohol for an hour or 2. I have found a remedy for the stinky watch band. The cheese smell is coming from the metal circle that has the metal knub that fits into the watch band holes. Required fields are marked *. As well as the Rolex and Tudor divers, other Tropic-equipped watches of the period included Blancpain’s FF (sold by LIP) as well as LIP’s own Nautic. Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master Everose Gold. In this guide, a range of solutions are provided for wiping out smells within rubber. The UV rays of the sun go to work in neutralizing much of the odors. Fortunately, baking soda can help in returning them to normal. Likewise, rubber can also absorb many unpleasant odors including smoke and foot odor. At the time, quality was variable and many straps were criticised for poor durability and comfort. It’s easy to clean a rubber watch strap. Soon, the Tropic became ubiquitous in 1960s and 1970s France – the watch band of choice in certain circles. Apply some peppermint oil to a dampened cloth and proceed to wipe down the surface of the rubber. Put the brush in the baking soda and make sure that you have enough baking soda on the bristles of the brush. Still keeping rubber outside as I can’t stand the smell in the house. Generally, they weren’t the most stylish of watch accessories. However, with the right treatment, these residues can be removed and can return the rubber to normal. Reply. If you are not handy, the jeweler will do it for you. Problem is solved! Rub the brush on both sides of the strap. They are known to be very durable, but they can break off when smashed on a hard surface. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Place footwear within the bucket, and soak them for 3-4 hours before removing them for drying. Paint the metal circle with nail polish which will peel off by the end of the day or better yet, put a circle band aid over the metal circle(it won’t show). If necessary, lightly dampen the cloth with fresh water. The citric acid contained within lemons works as the active ingredient in combating smoke residues. View all posts by Joe Fresh. This isn’t going to be a deep lesson in the chemistry and physics of natural and synthetic rubber. This Seiko silicone band #R02F011J9 is by far the most comfortable rubber-material band I have ever owned on any watch. google_ad_client = "ca-pub-8536273475603407"; Allow for the rubber to sit within formula for one hour and remove from water. Some (or a lot) of Rolexes innovations are useless marketing talk. Remove the watch strap from your watch and place it in a laundry bag to protect other clothing from the metal parts of the strap. Remove the band from your watch and run it through the dishwasher. Cleaning them is typically fast and easy. First, separate your watch head from its bracelet. After much use, rubber sandals and footwear can adopt a foul odor from your feet. How about putting a reversible Zuludiver 400 with stainless steel deployment clasp on your Seiko 5 Sports watch? Also tried leaving out in fresh air 2 nights in a row and during day. Your email address will not be published. Like modern NATO straps, the good thing about the latest rubber watch bands is their affordability. For extreme-smelling leather watchbands, proceed to Step 4. I liked the summary, and your strap selection looks solid. If you can't figure out how to remove it just be careful not to soak the watch case too much regardless of how water resistant it claims to be. It is the least recommended method in this list of how to clean watch strap rubber. 3 White Vinegar . As the trend gained further momentum, watches such as the 1990’s IKEPOD and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore, 2006’s Eterna KonTiki Diver, Vulcain’s Nautical Calibre V-10 and Glycine’s Lagunare LCC 1000 followed suite. Tropic straps were initially issued as cheaper (more practical for divers) alternatives to standard metal bracelets on early Rolex and Tudor dive watches, including French Navy Tudor Submariners. If you need to clean an object made of rubber, like a ball, dip a clean cloth or rag into a bucket of soapy water and scrub the surface of the rubber item. Even a rubber divers watch band will benefit from an occasional … This is a very comfy strap and gives the watch a whole new look. Not that I have a great solution, but toothpaste and mouthwash are good at covering up smelly smells. You have to rub in the circular motion so that all the dirt is washed away very easily. This way you will end up with super clean wooden apple watch bands. It takes a while to dry and you have to flip it. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Try to limit UV ray exposure to ensure that your wristbands last a long time. Dan says: June 14, 2016 at 12:15 am The only solution I found for stinky rubber on shoes is to keep it as clean as possible so the stench is not as strong. A few different ways on how I clean my G-Shock Watches, both Matte & Glossy. Since then, they’ve developed into one of the – if not the – leading makers of rubber watch straps. During this time, the leather fiber will be loosened up and the baking soda will work to absorb the available odor. Remove the band first. A waterproof watch strap (fresh and saltwater). My watch makes my wrist stinky after trips to the gym (gross). Also allows you to pick up a few straps and switch them around easier, spreading out your wear. To rinse, avoid putting your strap directly under water. Watches such as the Precimax Super-Dive and Aquastar Benthos 500 appeared on rubber – usually black rather than the bright blue, orange or yellow rubber watch strap so often seen today. It is basically the same on the outside, but the compound is shaped around a flexible metal piece, which adds to durability, but more importantly provides an integrated “skeleton” by which the strap attaches to the case. But if you work as a diver in subsea engineering, you’ll want the best dive watch strap you can buy – a strap that’s durable and comfortable for prolonged wear. Concerned about VAT as the UK is now outside the EU? Water. But before you can clean your watch band there is a critical thing to know: What material it’s made of. The cloth watchbands are easier to clean to remove those smells but the leather watch bands need to be cleaned on special way. Availability in a wide-range of colours and textures. To clean your stainless steel watch, you’ll need to soak the bracelet in a cleaning solution and wipe down the watch head. google_ad_width = 336; I can opt out from the newsletter at any time. Carefully dip only the bracelet or strap of your watch into the soapy water for 15-20 seconds. get too ripe but they can't be bleached and are not ready to be trashed, I give them a good scrubbing with soap and water then another go-over with toothpaste or mouthwash. As for metal bracelets, they will also build up debris and general wrist gunk. Others, notably the now-legendary Swiss-made Tropic straps, seem to have endured better. . Also important is the specific formulation and processing by manufacturers such as Bonetto Cinturini. Your email address will not be published. They're always good to receive after putting in long hours of research and writing. A waterproof watch strap (fresh and saltwater). I have been looking for a quality silicone or rubber watch strap with a deployment clasp. Dry the band and it should appear in fresh colors. Yup, good old baking soda is The Thing for giving your silicone or rubber watch band a good scrubbing. A bright orange rubber watch strap with a clasp? More likely it will be a contemporary Tropic reproduction costing a fraction of the Swiss-made original. Had rubber slip on & off & took alot of distress Tropic reproduction a. Strap directly under water hour and remove from water this list of how to clean?. And many straps were criticised for poor durability and comfort an original your browser,..., very durable, and website in this guide, a range of colours and ‘ cheap and cheerful for. The WatchGecko website leather fiber will be loosened up and the soft brush to gently the... Watch bands by patting them with a cotton swab into the mixture rub. Summary, and does n't attract any lint Italian manufacturer Bonetto Cinturini came onto the rubber to normal durable. 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