Rubber B Tang Buckle Strap Review

[moorery2001]

I just received my Rubber B Tang Buckle strap for my GMT Master II Ceramic and thought I would share my thoughts with you guys. In the past I’ve used other rubber straps such as Everest without being really impressed, but now with the right information at my fingertips regarding straps I thought it was time to invest in a Rubber B.

I’ll admit that I was being a bit of a cheapskate by buying an Everest the first round. I did not have much information on the brand itself but was just itching to have a rubber strap for my watch. After finding out that their straps are not made in Switzerland, but of Swiss rubber, it made me question my choices and of course explore other options. I ended up selling my Everest on Ebay (even though the service at Everest was great and shipping was quick, there were several things about the strap that I wasn't happy with) for half the price I paid which made me spend more on the strap than I would have wanted to.


What initially drew me to Rubber B was the fact that they are actually Swiss made (I know this is not a deal breaker for some, but for me it is). After this discovery I started to research them more and it became clear to me I should buy one and give the rubber strap idea another try.


You can see the words SWISS MADE in the body on picture #4
The keeper loops are thin and flexible, which helps them feel not so bulky on picture #5


When analyzing the two more closely now in person, there really is no comparison. My Everest strap was more gummy like/floppy and very thick compared to the Rubber B strap. It’s hard to realize that when you’ve never seen a Rubber B in real life (it looks better in real life than in photos). It would have been nice to see them both together in-hand, back in the beginning because on the internet its hard to make a determination. The upgrades that I noticed in my Rubber B are the sharp and detailed design of the strap, so it feels more like a high tech product. Everest is too thick for my liking and honestly it did not wrap my wrist well due to inconsistencies on how they fit around the watch lugs. Also I have a fairly standard wrist at 6.7 inches. The Everest tang buckle strap wrapped too far around, more tail than wanted. But the RB strap was more closely sized for me (shorter tail). If I had a wrist bigger than 8 inches, then I bet the RB strap would be too short for the tail to pass through both retainer loops. That is one thing to keep in mind.

When it comes to comfortability, I have no complaints with the Rubber B. The strap feels like they had your wrist in mind and not just the watch. As I said, the strap isn’t too long, it hugs my wrist pleasantly, and it’s a plus that my GMT II C looks great on it. I’ve had my Rubber B for about a month now so I can’t comment too much on durability but so far so good. It doesn't have any sticky feel or attract dust, and no smell. The watch feels lighter and balanced, especially during the hot Summer. My summary, the Rubber B tang strap is a very high quality product and makes the watch super comfortable :-)

I’m not the greatest when it comes to installations so I took to my local AD to install and they didn’t have any issues. My guy installed it in front of me in about five minutes (his approach on the pins was from the back of the watch, which is apparently the correct way to do it). I’ve gotten many more compliments on my watch now, as well as more curiosity as to where i got my strap from. Thankful for this forum as it shed light on the right strap for me, so I’m returning the favor for any WIS that need help deciding.

[c_robbs]

Awesome review! Strap looks really smooth and sharp.

[sager]

Thanks for the review

[gabegd]

Thanks for the review, i see a lot of comparison but can't lie when i say the RB strap looks so much better than everest. It's a great complement to your GMT as well. Enjoy it!

[timmytimng]

appreciate the review, i own a RB for submariner and can't imagine any other strap on my watch - enjoy.

[bob78h]

Nice review! I've been getting a nickel rash from the Oyster bracelet when it is really hot out, so I just got one of these myself. I was considering Everest too and reached the same conclusion as you, too much strap tail and the RubberB looks better. I noticed that the raised center section on the RubberB matches the width of the center part of the end link on the bracelet exactly (unlike the Everest which looks wider). Visually I think this is the closest thing to an OEM rubber strap until Rolex comes out with an Oysterflex for the Sub.

[jstan9]

Thank you so much for writing this awesome review! For my beloved 17 year-old 35mm SS/PL Yachtmaster, rubber b was the only option.

I also had my AD do the install (they were super nice about it).

I've had it on for a week and I've already gotten tons of compliments. Interestingly, it makes my YM less blingy and 'rolexy'.

It's also, as you say, so much lighter. I'd never considered how heavy and substantial the oyster bracelets are.

I'll be switching back at some point but for now, my rubber b has given me a brand-new YM!

[bbressler]

Looks great on your GMT! Glad you found one you're happy with as these rubber straps are tough to drop $200+ on without being able to test drive them.

I wonder if your Everest issues are due to your wrist size. I got one for my 14060m a few weeks ago, and have absolutely loved it on my 7.5" wrist. Wraps my wrist perfectly, exact right amount of tail, and I think it's the exact right density.

[imperio]

I've been through a couple Rubber B straps and noticed that after a while, that nice matte look wears off and it becomes more of a shiny glossy surface, which doesn't look that great imo... they're comfortable to wear and a welcome change from the bracelet, but after a while when I switch back to the bracelet I'm pleasantly amazed at how much I've missed the bracelet. Haha!


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[doboy007]

Originally Posted by imperio

I've been through a couple Rubber B straps and noticed that after a while, that nice matte look wears off and it becomes more of a shiny glossy surface, which doesn't look that great imo...

Seriously? Damn, that sucks cause I returned black Apple Watch rubber band due to that issue. Hate the shiny look.

[maximilianmuller]

Originally Posted by doboy007

Seriously? Damn, that sucks cause I returned black Apple Watch rubber band due to that issue. Hate the shiny look.

I have worn my Rubber B strap for almost two years every day, and it is not shiny. Maybe the other user has oily skin or something harsh got onto the surface. My B looks matte like new after much wearing. I think vulcanized rubber naturally only gets shining after many years of wearing, if ever.

[doboy007]

Originally Posted by maximilianmuller

I have worn my Rubber B strap for almost two years every day, and it is not shiny. Maybe the other user has oily skin or something harsh got onto the surface. My B looks matte like new after much wearing. I think vulcanized rubber naturally only gets shining after many years of wearing, if ever.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I really hope your experience is the norm.

[dunkin]

i'm thinking about getting the rubberB for my 116610LN. i imagine a black strap on a watch with a black bezel and black dial might look a trifle too dull. it's a bummer they don't make the black vulchrome version with a white stripe to match the markings on the bezel and dial - that would have been perfect. anyway, so i'm therefore thinking about the white strap.

i get my hands fairly dirty on a daily basis - just the nature of my work. i handle tools, stuff with oils/grease, dirt; the full shebang. the questions i have are:

- will the white strap get dirty in a non-reversible way?

- is it easy to scratch? i'm worried about micro scratches retaining dirt - that would look really awful on a white strap.

- okay, this may seem like a dumb question but i have to think about things like this where i live and so i need to get this out of the way. please bear with me :). if i get the tang buckle version, is there a great risk of dropping the watch while wearing it? i mean, if you think about the mechanics of wearing it, the tang buckle version is "OPEN"; versus, say, the glidelock clasp which makes the strap a "CLOSED" loop, and we just need to close the clasp to tighten the strap around the wrist. in the tang version, we would need to tilt the buckle, insert the other end of the strap into this buckle, pull it tight and insert the pin into the correct hole. we have stone floors (so if it drops, it's not going to be a happy watch) and the weather gets to 115 degrees F (45 deg. C) with 85% humidity on a regular basis. so there's a lot of sweat and i have to think about the possibility of fingers slipping on a rubber strap while going through the process described above.

you might say i could just use the clasp and not worry about all this, but i'd like to have two "independent" assemblies so in case i need to switch to the bracelet for a night on the town, i don't have to switch two things (strap and clasp).

wow, this got longer than i intended :)

any thoughts? especially from people who have the white tang?

[jackjack305]

Originally Posted by imperio

I've been through a couple Rubber B straps and noticed that after a while, that nice matte look wears off and it becomes more of a shiny glossy surface, which doesn't look that great imo... they're comfortable to wear and a welcome change from the bracelet, but after a while when I switch back to the bracelet I'm pleasantly amazed at how much I've missed the bracelet. Haha!


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On my end i can attest to this never happening. A couple of buddies of mine own several and its been about a year and some and they look brand new.

[Stevec14]

Question for the wise. I have the same GMT as the OP, but fancy the vulcanised rubber one with the green stripe. I also have a 16610lv sub which again would look great with the black and green combo imo.

When I look at rubber b's website, the GMT and sub are different products. I don't want to buy 2 straps. Would one not fit the other? Appreciate they are different shapes but are the same lug width. Just wondering if anyone has fitted the same one across models and more specifically between 5 and 6 digit?

[lopez784]

Originally Posted by Stevec14

Question for the wise. I have the same GMT as the OP, but fancy the vulcanised rubber one with the green stripe. I also have a 16610lv sub which again would look great with the black and green combo imo.

When I look at rubber b's website, the GMT and sub are different products. I don't want to buy 2 straps. Would one not fit the other? Appreciate they are different shapes but are the same lug width. Just wondering if anyone has fitted the same one across models and more specifically between 5 and 6 digit?

I bugged the customer service department ([email protected]) with several questions before my purchase, and they were always super helpful. I know some models match with multiple watches but not sure which.

Currently, I have my Deepsea on a white Rubber B tang and it is AWESOME!!!!!!

[rbiggs]

Great review! I've just now recently started to take interest in rubber straps and this review was extremely helpful.

[heng51]

Awesome review! Rubber B is the way to go!

[AndyWright]

Great review! I love trying new things and i remember the 1st time I saw a RB strap, I fell in love with the look.

[SemperFi]

Excellent review even though I needed no convincing.
I currently have a RubberB on my Explorer and have received dozens of compliments on how it looks. Plus it's about as comfortable as can be.
Congrats on yours. It looks great.

[WS9D]

I have two RubberB vulcanized and love them. I also have two everest for my GMTs, but I think I like the RubberB better. Both are great straps.

[Totoro]

Originally Posted by Ks6pd

I have two RubberB vulcanized and love them. I also have two everest for my GMTs, but I think I like the RubberB better. Both are great straps.

Nice looking watches. Can you tell me if the Explorer strap from Rubber B is interchangeable with the DSSD?

[WS9D]

Originally Posted by Patek5296

Nice looking watches. Can you tell me if the Explorer strap from Rubber B is interchangeable with the DSSD?

Because the case thickness is different between the two, I don’t think so. Also the ends of the straps look different and I don’t think they’ll fit each other.





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[imperio]

Originally Posted by Patek5296

Nice looking watches. Can you tell me if the Explorer strap from Rubber B is interchangeable with the DSSD?

Unfortunately no. I tried my dssd rubber b strap on an explorer 216570 and it's a no go. The springbar positions are at different points between the lugs.


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[Etschell]

interesting. what specificially didnt you like abou the everest?

[Totoro]

Thanks you both just saved me a few hundred bucks. Much appreciated for the info and the pics :D

[carava501]

Rubber B is the way to go!

[emkwan]

The best straps. Handling the Rubber B next to the Everest strap you can feel the quality and finish is better on the B. Great choice. For those looking for a video review and installation of the Rubber B check this video: Rubber B Review

[rolex75216]

Great review. Looks really nice!

[Hooper]

Great review, and great match! I am looking for something to match my tag Heuer ss, maybe a B?