Cycling UK Forum

I am fed up with the plastic wrist band of watches breaking. I have had several go well before the battery runs out. I leave them loose enough to get a finger inside the strap but they still break. Is it me? Can anyone recommend a cheap, moderately waterproof digital watch with a durable wrist band? One of mine lies full fathom five, still telling the fish the time probably.

You have my sympathy,I used to wear a Casio with two wires across the face to stop me scratching it when working,they were great watches,I've still got one with a flat battery .
But as you say the strap is the weak point.

BTW I've never worn a watch since I retired

What watches are you buying, £2.99 ones? I collect wristwatches, old & new, usually of course with leather straps or bracelets, however, for mucky work & riding I use Casio G-Shocks, the straps last many years. Why not use a Nato strap? They are cheap and last very well indeed.

This site sells good quality straps and bands, including heavy duty ones, at fair prices.

http://rltwatches.co.uk/opencart/index.php?route=product/category&path=3_14_15

MarkF wrote:What watches are you buying, £2.99 ones?

No, indignantly. Usually cheap end Casios. I'm usually quite handy, but I don't find changing watch straps easy. I don't see why I should have to, either. The original bloody strap ought to last. Perhaps it is me. My sweat may be toxic to plastic! I will take a look at that site.

Ok Mike. I find that the cheaper Casios have thinner guage straps, my kids use them, they tend to split near the spring bars. But, OEM replacements are easily obtained cheaply or any market stall guy will have something to suit, probably better too. G-Shocks and their straps are pretty unbreakable.

BTW a spring bar removal tool costs £1.99 and enables a change of strap in seconds.

MarkF wrote:Ok Mike. I find that the cheaper Casios have thinner guage straps, my kids use them, they tend to split near the spring bars. But, OEM replacements are easily obtained cheaply or any market stall guy will have something to suit, probably better too. G-Shocks and their straps are pretty unbreakable.

BTW a spring bar removal tool costs £1.99 and enables a change of strap in seconds.

Mine break at the buckle. Thanks for the advice, especially about the tool.

I still have one of those stainless steel bands on my watch that were popular in the 1970's, but like reohn2 i have not worn a watch since i retired. If i need to know the time i use my mobile or the bike computer - oop's that reminds me i must put it back an hour

I wear this and it seems durable http://www.amazon.co.uk/Casio-A168Wa-1Y ... 847&sr=8-3

When I used to wear watches yes the strap would go but a new strap including fitting is cheap.

That looks like the sort of thing I have looked for and not found, Claireysmurf. I got the impression that at that sort price they all had plastic straps. Thanks.
I think I shall try Boston's shops and market tomorrow for a replacement strap as Mark 1978 suggests. I am avoiding Amazon because of their tax dodging. Thanks Mark and all of you.

Argos does something similar http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/p ... 775591.htm

I'm another who largely escaped the tyranny of the wristwatch with retirement, although it's been largely replaced by the tyranny of all the other digital clocks on almost everything that has a battery. I'd wondered what a spring bar removal tool was for (I've seen the ads when I've been looking for a magnifier suitable for mending specs.)

I see Amazon also do one for £69

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spring-Remover- ... 762&sr=8-6

Further down the same page, I see they do something which might be of interest to some on here, although I can't see why it's in with watchmenders' tools: The Scarifier De-Thatcher. Sounds like something for Hallowe'en.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rotary-14-16248 ... 62&sr=8-11

I've suffered similar frustration with 'plastic' watch straps breaking. My 'best' Casio (cost, I think, about £20) now has a broken strap after about 4 or 5 years, but the battery (est. life 10yrs) lives on. I found a replacement strap on the web for £10 or so, but doubt that it is worth it.
I'm currently using my basic Decathlon HRM as a watch, as is a cycling friend. The straps on these HRMs seem to be made of something much tougher, and they do make very presentable watches for everyday use. Start from £14.95 http://www.decathlon.co.uk/F-50731-heart-rate-monitors

Ray

Velcro straps ... no brainer ...totaly reliable... i trust my 1962 Smith's Astral and my long suffering Seiko WD watch (2 wars and 23 years of active service ) ... to these simple cheap watch straps ...top kit !!

thirdcrank wrote: De-Thatcher. Sounds like something for Hallowe'en...........

If I'd known about one of them in 1984 it could've saved a lot of trouble........

BTW do they have De-Scargiller to go with it?