BLNR Strap Options Review - Pic Heavy

[Rusty888]

So let me start by saying that this was a long time coming.. I had mentioned that I was going to do this a while back but there were some delays with other items some travel with work that delayed this post

I purchased my BLNR a few months ago, however I personally like being a little different so I looked at strap options to mix it up the look with the bracelet. I use to wear a NATO quite a lot on my last Omega, however wanted to procure a leather strap for when a bracelet with shiny PCLs just wasnt quite right.

The pictures I will save for the bottom but will put them in order I mention them for ease. I have taken a few different angles so you can see more details and they are all from my iphone 5s hence the low quality

NATOS
Firstly the Natos as I touched on them just before. i ordered all mine with black PVD hardware

I am quite fond of the black and grey stripe NATO. It gets most wear on the weekends. Its comfortable and quite light to wear. Whilst its not beach weather currently this strap offers that one little extra bit compared to a plain strap. All in all its a favourite and is in the top 3 for wearing, including being the strap that I wear whilst playing golf on the weekend.

The grey Nato was a little light to what I was expecting when I first saw it. However it has been worn, although when I was taking the pictures something made me think I need to start wearing this a little more. Theres something about it that just creates that interest. So next week I might make more of an appearance with it.

The black Nato you can see I haven't worn. Its just a plain Nato and I prefer the black with grey stripe and I always go to that. So its back to the drawer


GOLFER

The golfer I picked up very cheap. Its one where you cut it to size and that's it, no further adjustment. It didn't sing to me to start and something I feel will need to worn in. So besides wearing it one afternoon it hasn't been worn. When I get the chance I will have to see if wearing it in makes a difference, however I feel there are better options for what it purpose was meant to be

There's two sets of pictures. one without the custom endlinks and one with them. I think we can all agree that the endlinks look better so all straps will show with the endlinks from now on but I thought I would give you chance to see the difference

Hirsh GRAND DUKE

This strap I bought with the pure intention of seeing what a blueish strap would look like. I must admit the strap just feels inferior and cheap. I'm sure as a beater its great but I don't feel it pairs the GMT well. As such its sitting in my drawer and will hardly get used. I don't regret buying it as i feel the blue wouldn't sit right with the BLNR and was only a cheap decision.

Hirsch VISCOUNT

This is strap that I find myself keep wearing and sometimes favoring over the bracelet, heaven forbid. It took 2 weeks for it to be broken in to a good degree but now is something I feel is quite classy in the right setting. Going out for work dinners and not wanting to bring the bracelet this is my option. I also find this strap good for weekdays when I'm around the office. The white stitching to me makes a world of difference and offers that something extra without trying to hard to tie a blue in. This is one of Hirschs most expensive straps and whilst not cheap I favored this for its apparent "waterproofness". It has come into the shower with me and has been fine, although I usually take it off. Given where I live leather straps don't last too long with our hot summer and the sweat so time will tell if it will hold up longer than others. However my view is it is 10 times the strap of the Grand Duke and therefore priced accordingly.

BRACELET

This bracelet is................... Forget it, we all know the bracelet. Whether you like the PCLs or not is up to you. I feel it brings it up more dressy than a brushed bracelet and its your personal choice what you prefer. I can say after wearing the straps exclusively for almost 6 weeks I am at the stage where the bracelet is getting more and I am starting to appreciate it more.

HIRSCH DEPLOYANTS

While I was getting the deployants I decided to get the two deployants, the butterfly and the sport. The sport is more like the Omega and Brietling style with a single fold over and the butterfly is as expected.

My advice, go for the butterfly. Its all Ive worn. I despise the sport soo much that it sits on the grand duke in my drawer. The butterfly offers a bigger opening to go over the watch, is easier to put on with one hand or two and just feels better on the wrist as its not as wide along the wrist so you dont require the "correct" wrist size or shape.

IS 40mm TOO BIG?

My 3 year old thinks no, however he prefers the bracelet as does my 8 month old. It must be those PCLs