Watch straps: Buckle or Deployant Clasp?

[Gary W. Graley]

Hi folks, while I am without my grail watch I am picking up an inexpensive, in comparison, watch and also a nicer watch strap, but I just read about a deployant fitting that replaces the buckle of the regular leather strap, wanted to hear your yay's or nay's on which one you prefer.

Thanks in advance,
G2

 

[u812]

I wear deployment straps. My favorite is the Maratac Silicone. I hate the flap end of a strap with a buckle catching on everything.

 

[Noctis3880]

I go with deployment myself, as my last strap(stingray skin) started tearing apart on the inside because of the way buckle straps tend to open up(or how I tend to open them up), typically at the hole. The deployment clasp is meant to get around this by preventing the strap from bending at the hole.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Hmm that's a good point I think I might give one a try, thanks guys
G2

 

[Noctis3880]

Mine:

 

[Noctis3880]

Eye Candy:



Mine is a Traser Aviator($500-ish) with a $60-ish shark skin strap, and I believe the clasp was $40-ish. So yeah, a relatively cheap watch.

 

[Metal Made Fox]

I personally prefer regular buckles since I am a leather strap kind of guy. The only watch I own with a quick deployment clasp is my $92,000 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.

 

[Noctis3880]

I don't get why leather and deployment clasps can't mix(see shark skin leather above):thumbup:.

 

[leghog]

Firstly, it's a DEPLOYANT clasp not a deployment clasp. Many make that mistake (sometimes deliberately to be found in google searches for online selling), but, still, it's a deployant clasp. From French: boucle déployante = folding clasp.

Secondly, its truly a matter of taste; however, all things being equal, straps (particularly skins, hides, leathers) will last longer on deployant clasps than they will on buckles as the straps are less stressed when donning and doffing the watch using deployant clasps. On the downside, depending on the wearers wrist; the way the watch is worn; the strap; and the clasp, deployant clasps can be uncomfortable and/or dig into the wearers wrist.

Thirdly, there are single and double (butterfly) deployant clasps. I prefer single deployant clasps. On rubber straps I prefer buckles.

Lastly, nothing is quite as bad a poorly engineered or built deployant clasp, so do your research. All are not created equal, and higher prices do not necessarily equal better designed or built clasps.


Time is too short to measure with a cheap watch.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

you guys sure have nice watches! and thanks for the insight, I wondered but obviously didn't dig too far to figure out what the different terms were, hence "thingy" in my poll title
While I can see the clear benefit of not harming the strap I did wonder how or if it would dig into your wrist, I would guess it depends on how tight you set it. At first I thought it was a compression thing but I see that it has a pin in it so it goes into one of the straps holes right?

G2

 

[leghog]

The short strap side of the clasp is attached with a spring bar (just as like the strap is attached to watch case's lugs). The other end of the clasp as a nipple that fits into a strap hole (which hole depends on how the strap fits on the wrist). Once mounted in the strap, the strap and clasp are not moved/adjusted in relation to each other. The strap will last longer that way. Regarding comfort, every different make and model of clasp will fit differently on your wrist. Just because one is comfortable doesn't mean another will be.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Thanks, I ordered one from Strappedfortime, I've bought a few straps from them, good place it seems, but this will be my first deployment try.

And I'm glad that some of you are able to smile at this thread, at least 3 have clicked on "What's a Watch?" selection, nice
There was rumours that watches will be a thing of the past with the onset of cell phones, I know several guys that don't wear watches, just rely on their phone for what time it is.

G2

 

[leghog]

Thanks, I ordered one from Strappedfortime, I've bought a few straps from them, good place it seems, but this will be my first deployment try.

deployant

 

[Gary W. Graley]

This one is called a deployment, as they also have deployant, it seems to be a little confusing as to why they call one one way and one another way...ugh...
still learning...
G2

hopefully not to enrage the wrath of a mod, but since this shouldn't jive against other suppliers here, Strapped For Time page

Most likely a typo on their page...

 

[Noctis3880]

Thanks, I ordered one from Strappedfortime, I've bought a few straps from them, good place it seems, but this will be my first deployment try.

And I'm glad that some of you are able to smile at this thread, at least 3 have clicked on "What's a Watch?" selection, nice
There was rumours that watches will be a thing of the past with the onset of cell phones, I know several guys that don't wear watches, just rely on their phone for what time it is.

G2

Never going to happen. Cell phones and even pagers have been around for years, and watches are surging and becoming ever more advanced(solar power watches? Awesome:thumbup.

I expect the opposite problem to occur, with watches having more cell phone capabilities and becoming a major issue in educational institutions and the issue of cheating.

 

[leghog]

This one is called a deployment, as they also have deployant, it seems to be a little confusing as to why they call one one way and one another way...ugh...
still learning...
G2

Not really. That e-tailer uses "deployment buckle deployant clasp" for his products. E-tailers do that to better their chance of their sites being brought up in internet searches because so many mistakenly call it a deployment....

It's still a deployant clasp.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Then a deployant clasp it is thanks, I hope it will suit me once I give it a try, if not, it wasn't too expensive to try out.
G2

 

[tchapman414]

The deployment a.k.a. butterfly clasp is a feature generally seen on just about any high-end watch with a leather band, from what I've seen. While I myself much prefer a good metal bracelet watchband, a leather strap with butterfly clasp is one I quite enjoy.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

my clasp arrived today, sleek looking, but the watch hasn't arrived yet, hopefully Monday or Tuesday at the latest...THEN I can vote

I see the number of people that don't know what a watch is has outpaced those that just like buckles !
G2

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Well folks, the watch didn't arrive today it said it arrived at the post office but I guess it was too late to get on the delivery route...

BUT I think I'll have to return this clasp, as the buckle is just a hair over 22mm and when fitted to the strap there is a LOT of room on either side. Checking the strap's buckle, that measures 20mm inside, since the strap does narrow down from the 22mm at the watch mounting area.

I doubt that there are special clasps that have reduced size buckles??

G2