Haveston M-1918C Canvas Watch Strap
February 2, 2019
Haveston M-1918C strap
It is very hard to imagine a more humble fabric than canvas. I like to think of it as burlap’s second cousin who went to finishing school and found some much needed refinement. Even at its most simplistic it has served man diligently for hundreds of years. The fabric first came into common usage during the Italian Renaissance for you guessed it, a surface for painting. While it originally came from hemp, today it is more commonly made from cotton or linen. Its woven texture makes it incredibly strong and because of that strength, it soon found many uses for applications ranging from things such as sails, tents, and eventually clothing. Anywhere durability and flexibility is needed, canvas answered the call.
Canvas has been a staple of the militaries all over the world dating back to the 1700’s. One of the most common uses was tents and packs of various sizes and duties. When a wax was applied to the tent it became a rather robust waterproof fabric and is still used this way today. Naturally the watch strap I am reviewing has no such wax coating nor does it need it, but the innate durability and ruggedness of this fabric is evident. Haveston states its brown/sandy color palette was taken from the khaki colors used by the United States military on equipment before to and during World War I. The colors evoke that feeling of infantry and duty and like all Haveston straps, pay respect to the soldiers and vehicles that wore such colors.
DIMENSIONS
The version of the Haveston M-1918C I ordered was a 20mm version (also available in 18mm and 22mm) with polished hardware. My strap came in at 19.9mm wide and an even with its double weave construction was only 1.5mm thick along the bulk of its length. The overall length of the strap was listed by Haveston as 275mm and was right at that on my calipers.
On my 6.75” wrist, I was on the 4thto last adjustment hole so this strap could fit anybody from 6 -8.5” wrists. The adjustability is amazing.
DESIGN
The M-1918C strap design is identical to Havestons popular single pass nylon NATO straps. That means you get the same wonderful thin construction and the same ingenious sliding second keeper to keep you from any need to tuck extra strap. All of this means a NATO that wears slim like a two piece strap versus off the wrist like most other NATO’s which require two pieces of nylon between your case back and skin. Not to dismiss the ingenious features in this design, the real stand out feature of this is the material selection and how it holds up to use.
Canvas is not nearly as refined as say silk or fine nylon. It is durable though and this particular canvas chosen by Haveston feels that way. The woven fabric spacing is very small and the strap feels very well put together. Haveston is known for quality construction and this strap feels like it could tow a car. The strap is two layers of material that run throughout its construction that were stitched together. To make the strap the buckle end is merely folded again and sewn tight to contain the keepers and strap hardware.
Since I brought up the sewing, the contrasting olive green stitching really sings against the khaki brown of the canvas. It is evenly spaced, tightly applied and follows the contours of the strap perfectly. These two colors are chosen in the typical Haveston way, which is to say period correct for United States Military Mil spec colors. The attention to detail by Haveston and the way they pay strict adherence to military themes is duplicated by exactly nobody in the NATO world.
The strap has 13 adjustment holes which are stitched circumferentially for strength and durability. I do not think there are many people this strap would not fit well on.
KEEPER AND BUCKLE
The M-1918C benefits from the high grade hardware that all Haveston straps adorn. The polished keepers on my strap (a brushed option is available) have no rough edges and are comfortable for all day use. Credit should be given to Haveston for making the keepers just big enough to contain the fabric and not a millimeter more. They stay close the wrist and move easily when called to do so, but stay put when they are not being adjusted. It is one of many of the small details that Haveston routinely makes it a point to get right.
The buckle is again a standard Haveston Buckle which is sized nicely not too big, nor too small. The underside of the buckle is notched so it will wear even slimmer by laying flatter against the cloth. This is a detail which I definitely appreciate and wish more strap manufacturers would take up.
HOW DOES IT WEAR
When I was in elementary school I had a worn out old green canvas backpack with grass/dirt stains and scuffs and metal buckles all over it. I used that back pack for years. It grew soft and faded but never failed to perform its duty when called upon. This strap made of canvas brings back those memories to me. It feels rugged but in a refined way. More like the feel of a canvas tent pulled ultra tight and ready for a hurricane. The honest and humble nature of canvas who puts function over fashion makes this strap feel like it has an old soul. It gives any watch instant credibility as a device ready for action.
The second the fabric touched my fingers the material brought a smile to my face. When you first put on any of Haveston’s nylon NATO’s (which are buttery soft from day one) they bend and flex like cotton. The Canvas M-1918C is more akin to a new pair of blue jeans. This canvas will take a week or so to soften up a bit as it will not want to bend tightly around your tiny spring bar like a nylon NATO will do at first. However, with continual wear and movement you will notice a tiny bit of relaxation and give start to form and you will find it comfortable to go one position tighter on your strap and still be comfortable. The watch will sit closer and feel more part of you. This the nature of canvas and most other made for rough wear materials.
With the inevitable break in process however, comfort is never an issue as the strap improves every single day it is worn. Like an old field jacket or backpack, this canvas is a wonderful material to construct a watch strap. Over the course of my use, the strap did not get snagged or frayed at any edges. The stitching stayed tight and flexibility grew (and is still growing). This is a strap that will grow old with you.
WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR
I had this strap on divers and daily wear watches, field watches and even on my Grand Seiko for a while. It is like a strong spice and it will definitely change the character or flavor of the watch it is on. However, if I had to pick where it will shine, I would tell you to pick your favorite field or aviation watch and slip this strap on its spring bars. Right before your eyes you will see the transformation from daily wear to rugged tool watch occur. What was once a mere Hamilton Khaki 38mm has become a watch that could have seen time in the trenches of WW I. Similarly, put this on your favorite Laco or Stowa and watch your pilots watch take on a measure of invulnerability and toughness.
I like how much this strap brings to the table with its construction that lends to all day comfort and style, combined with its heritage themed color palette which gives it credibility and honestly not found in many places.
WHERE CAN I GET IT
Like all Haveston products, they are only available at Havestons bespoke website:
http://www.haveston.com/hav918c.html
SUMMARY
Orville Redenbacher who hails from KFC commercials of yesterday once said, ‘Do one thing, and do it better than anybody else.’ This is a philosophy I feel Haveston has taken to heart. They make the best military themed NATO straps around with a great design, functional and real innovation all packaged up with accurate historical significance. I have never written a bad review on a Haveston strap and I do not see that changing. A great product at a great price.