Welcome to the online shop of R-Straps
the # 1 high quality luxury watchbands for Rolex watches.

Exclusive leather watchstraps for Rolex watches

In order to exceed the highest quality standards, we obtain the material for our leather watch straps for Rolex watches directly from well-known tanneries, which stand for first-class quality in the luxury segment. One of these tanneries is the Haas tannery with its high-quality Novonappa leather and Zermatt leather. The certified and waterproof leather and the high-quality workmanship ensure a long life and a comfortable fit of our leather watchstraps for Rolex watches, because of the quality of the watchband depends significantly on the wearing comfort of your watch.

The material:
We buy the leather used in the production ourselves and test the material through many different ways to make sure that they fulfill our desired standards. For example, we have tested a variety of waterproof types of leather and their friction using wet and dry surfaces, but also their absorption of moisture after 30, 60 and 90 minutes.

Tannery Haas, the special tannery:

We purchase our Novonappa leather directly from the tannery Haas.
This leather became famous under the name of Barenia, which was then trademarked by the company Hermes. It’s a very fine calfskin leather. Originally Novonappa leather, in other words Barenia leather, has been used for the productions of saddles. The leather is tanned twice, once chemically and once vegetable tanned. The production procedure takes about 6 weeks. During this time the leather is treated with 9 different kinds of oil. Because of this elaborate process the leather obtains a very good quality and durability. For instance, its water tolerance is very good. Its design shows a deep brilliance.

Likewise, the enthusiasts of Novoappa leather treasure another property immensely:

The patina
Because of external factors the leather develops a unique patina, which gives each band a unique appearance, since it doesn’t use an aniline finish. Further information can be found in the documents which have been kindly provided by the Haas company.

The way to the watch strap Leather and FKM rubber:
Our watch straps are nestled tightly with ABS system in their housing. This part of the strap has the same purpose as the end piece of the Rolex watch straps – a seamless and smooth transition between watch strap and housing.

To put this system into practice the different watch housings have to be measured. Using the data as a basis, first instruments for the productions are being produced and fitted into the housing.

Now the precision work begins, which means that the testing pieces for the rudiment of the different leather types and FKM rubbers are adjusted individually. In this case an original housing is essential. Nevertheless, it is vital to control the watch straps regularly. It needs to be added that during the production of our watch straps there are still people operating the machines, doing the first quality check after the product’s completion. Afterwards each strap is tested using a pressure process working on the housing. For the medium heightening of the leather straps a second tool is needed.

The design:
The company R-Straps is, as far as our knowledge goes, the first company to use the same consistent design for their whole range of products, irrespective to the material, to achieve a consistent picture. This medium heightening has also been incorporated by us to give the watch strap a consistent design. All threads, which have been incorporated into our straps were produced by the Ammann company.

 

 

Properties
We have presented you several information on development, all the way to the watch strap and on our Loop-Fixing-System. Last but not least, we’d like to give you further information on the material properties.


All of our leather strap loops are double stitched

Engraved R at the end of straps

Engraved  buckles

Same design like FKM rubber straps

Exclusive FKM vulcanized watch straps for Rolex watches

For our watch straps for Rolex watches made of rubber we use high quality FKM rubber. The material is complex in the processing, but offers a comfortable fit in all temperatures. Like our leather watch straps, our rubber watch straps have an ABS insert for your Rolex watches to ensure a perfect fit with curved ends.

Furthermore, its performance under certain temperatures, especially in the cold, are important, as it still needs to preserve its flexibility. We had a vast variety of FKM materials sent to us by producers to test the differences. Now we had to find a manufacturer who was willing and able to incorporate the FKM rubber material that we had chosen. Eventually we found a manufacturer in Switzerland.

Since I have worn leather and rubber straps with my Rolex watches in the past, I am familiar with the general problems of wearing them.

Rubber material is always striving to be straight, meaning that it works against the rounding of the arm. By using loops this effect is dampened. However, the FKM rubber is relatively smooth, so I kept having the problem that the second loop slided over the side of the strap with the loops or to the buckle. This effect is amplified for example by sleeves of pullovers or shirts. Please check our Loop-Fixing-System.

The material
Our people from the R-Straps company only use one rubber mixture made up of FKM material. The NBR-rubbers, which can be found on the market, show too many disadvantages like attracting dust and fuzz. Additionally, there are chemical disadvantages, which we cannot accept.

Even among the FKM mixtures are clear differences. Especially the smoothness can be felt by the customer when wearing them around their wrist. It needs to be soft and flexible but mustn’t be extensible because of these properties.

Furthermore, its performance under certain temperatures, especially in the cold, are important, as it still needs to preserve its flexibility. We had a vast variety of FKM materials sent to us by producers to test the differences. Now we had to find a manufacturer who was willing and able to incorporate the FKM rubber material that we had chosen. Eventually we found a manufacturer in Switzerland. In the section “The way to the strap” more information on the individual steps can be found.

Since I have worn leather and rubber straps with my Rolex watches in the past, I am familiar with the general problems of wearing them.

Rubber material is always striving to be straight, meaning that it works against the rounding of the arm. By using loops this effect is dampened. However, the FKM rubber is relatively smooth, so I kept having the problem that the second loop slided over the side of the strap with the loops or to the buckle. This effect is only amplified by sleeves of pullovers or shirts.

Loop-Fixing-System

Our goal was it to set new standards in quality and design, so there had to be done something about the wearing comfort. The result is the latching of the second loop by two stoppers, which prevent any shifting and guarantee a high wearing comfort.

FKM rubber is undoubtedly best suited for the highest quality watchstraps that are worn in extreme situations.
However, the material has the disadvantage that it is very smooth.
When wearing, the second loop slips, which means that the piece of perforated strap protrudes from the arm.

We assume that you as a wearer of Rolex not only value the highest quality, but also desire the highest wearing comfort. The curved strap attachment to the housing sits gapless and offers highest wearing comfort, but this was no reason for us to neglect the end of the band with the second loop.

With our newly developed loop-fixing system, the second loop is firmly locked, no matter what strap width you set for your arm.
Thus, the strap part can no longer get caught on the clothing sleeve. The end of the strap also shows a nice design element.