Barton Bands Elite Silicone Quick Release Straps
March 21, 2018
I am an engineer by trade. I work on Rocket Propulsion systems for a living. I am surrounded by quality machine work, precision welding, exotic materials, and clever packaging every day. I see the same kinds of problems solved in many different ways by different vendors. It is part of the joy of my job. I really have a profound respect for innovative solutions. That is why when I got a chance to review the new Barton Bands Elite Silicone Strap, I was very excited because I really feel it has a unique combination of features that make it a very unique offering on the market today.
I have several divers in my collection which seem to be relegated to either the steel bracelet or the silicone strap they came with. While I do not dive, the rugged nature of dive watches means they are the go-to watch for when I work in my Koi pond, or wash the car, or garden, or play baseball with the kiddos. Since I am not willing to expose nice crafted leather watch straps to car wash soap, I have avoided changing my divers straps for the most part since the majority of replacement water friendly straps offer no real improvement in looks or performance. Barton Bands may have just changed that.
Before my review, First word from Barton about their straps:
Our Elite Silicone Quick Release watch straps feature a premium textured top, a 316L surgical grade brushed stainless steel buckle and a 2mm taper from watch head to buckle. Each band also comes standard with two included lengths to assure they will be a perfect fit for nearly anyone. Swap out in just a few seconds and without tools! Pair this silicone rubber watch band with our Leather or Canvas quick release bands to take full advantage of the opportunity to ‘Switch it Up’ on the go.
DIMENSIONS
The strap I am reviewing from Barton is 20mm and all dimensions are referencing that strap, but it should be noted that this strap does come in 18mm, as well as 22mm. The strap is spot on at 20mm at the lugs and tapers down to 18mm. This tapering adds worlds of class to the strap in much the same way the TROPIC straps tapered. I think it adds more versatility to the watch strap as well as purely straight cut straps possess a very casual aesthetic. The buckle end is 70mm long and the free end is 125mm long.
This is usually where I would tell you how this strap wears on my 6.75” wrist and what hole it is on and how many are left. I will do that naturally, but with a twist. On my wrist I am on the 4th to the last adjustment hole. However, Barton sees fit to give you an additional shorter version of the free end of the strap with each purchase. This will be ideal for those fellahs with smaller wrists, or ladies, or just those who want less of a ‘tail’ to tuck into the keepers. This is the first strap sold that does this to my knowledge and it is just one of the many great features I found myself enamored with. The strap starts off at 4mm at the lugs and then gets thinner to the free end down to around 2.7mm depending on how hard you squish the calipers. So it is robust where you want to around the spring bar and thinner at the base so it is less bulky and easier to tuck into the keepers. This is another detail I love in a well made strap.
DESIGN
Being a strap designer must be challenging. You are forced to try to differentiate yourself in crowded marketplace by style, color, material, price, features, and many other things that I have probably overlooked. Barton did not invent the Silicone strap. There were plenty around when I got my hands on this one. I had 3-4 sitting in my strap case never being used because none offered a better combination of features and style then the OEM straps I had (two of those being Barton Soft Silicone straps). With the Barton Bands Elite Silicone Strap, every single detail that I found lacking was addressed. Where I would have wanted changes, Barton has already incorporated them, and threw in some unique innovations I had not thought about but now greatly desire.
Barton offers this strap in many sizes and colors. They even offer it in a variety of dual colored straps. Have a Tudor Black Bay with Red font? No problem. Barton has red versions, black versions, and black/red versions to boot. The straps are not straight and flat like most silicone straps are. They took a look at what some other leather strap makers do and added a natural wrist contouring curve to the lug ends that aid in keeping the watch put as well as give the owners improvements in comfort and wear ability. It would have been cheaper to not do this, but since Silicone will take the shape of the mold, this is a clever addition that was ‘thought’ into the product. I really like this as it shows a little bit of forethought can reap huge benefits in the end product. All Barton Elite Silicone straps come with a nice cross hatch texturing on the surface. Many silicone straps are plain to the point of being sterile (an issue I had with the original Barton Soft Silicone straps I had purchased which were high quality but not very visually interesting to me), which may suit some people and watches, but I find this pattern adds loads of appeal both visually and texturally. It also shows more attention to detail and helps to further differentiate the strap from others. Whether you choose the short strap or the long strap in the package included with your watch you are going to get the soft silicone Barton is known for that is infinitely compliant and easy on the skin while still be resilient and durable. Each free end also has a large rectangular cutout at the tip that is obviously not for the buckle to interface with (more on this in the next section, It is cool!)
DISCLAIMER: I know some folks are keen on silicone watch straps smelling of vanilla, and if smelling rubber is important to you then who am I to knock it. But for completeness, It should be noted that I sense nothing vanilla like when I smell Barton’s Elite strap. (it had to be said, because people ask me) END DISCLAIMER
Like every other watch strap sold at Baron Bands, it comes with wonderful quick release straps that can be changed out in seconds with no tools or issues at all. A safer and easier way to change a watch strap with spring bars has never been invented. Can I just get an AMEN for Barton for doing this?
KEEPER AND BUCKLE
Innovation does not stop at the strap shape, or texture or quick release spring bars, or dual colors though. Barton has created an innovative way to make even the lowly keepers an object of good design that adds value and convenience to the product. The keepers are both floating and rather than being boring rectangles, they have highly chamfered edges on the outside surface which is completely a nod to aesthetics. I salute them for it as by itself is not a game changer, but it definitely adds a more expensive and stylish feel to the strap as a package.
One more detail I have never seen before that now I refuse to live without can be found in the inside keeper closest to the lugs. Molded into the inside of this keeper is a rectangular protrusion that perfectly fits into the large rectangular cutout in the free end of the strap. The strap and keeper effectively lock into place so you never have the strap flopping around and it is held closely and neatly to your wrist. Secondary benefit is that it keeps both keepers doing their job all day without any fuss. This is called smart design. Simple effective solutions that add value without adding cost or increasing difficulty of use. Bravo Barton. When you can design any shape you desire with Silicone, why not make it a smart one. The buckle on my version is brushed 316 stainless that is finished with care with nice even brush marks and crisp but not sharp edges. It is not a dress buckle nor is it an oversized one. It fits the straps sporty nature. It also comes in a variety of colors and finishes which is again astonishing for this price.
The following two images courtesy of Barton Bands:
HOW DOES IT WEAR
The Barton Bands Elite Silicone Strap is baby soft and smooth to the touch. It pulls up nicely through the buckle and finds that just right position of not too tight nor too soft with ease as the adjustment holes are very closely spaced. The silicone to silicone interface between keeper and free end of the strap is a smooth as… well silicone. The pre bent portions of the strap keep the watch centered over the bones of the wrist nicely and add comfort by allowing the skin to breath. I find it is a strap that once you put it on you are not constantly adjusting the case of the watch to sit just right. It is very light and flexible as to almost become invisible.
WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR
I have tried a version of this on both my Oris Divers 65 40mm, and my Seiko SKX009 with equally satisfying results. I prefer a textured strap over a smooth one when possible like Tropic styled straps or canvas/cordura. This strap seems to walk the line between both in a sporty and unique way. I get the do anything, anytime, versatility of silicone with the looks of a nice textured strap. I would put this on any sport watch or adventure watch in a heartbeat. It is a natural on a diver or field watch as well. I had this on my Jack of all trades strap monster 38mm Hamilton Khaki field and it was amazing. Put this strap on any watch that may ever get wet or dirty or sweaty on a constant basis, or just a watch you want lots of durability with a large dash of style. The best part is since the quick release spring bar is so easy to use and the price of these things is so staggeringly good (wait for it, 19.50 each which includes a long and short strap options) you can change your mind on color daily have fun with it.
WHERE DO I GET ONE
I whole heartedly recommend buying your Barton Watch straps from Barton Bands out of Austin. They have a great website with links to images from users that show the strap you are purchasing on various watches.
https://www.bartonwatchbands.com/collections/elite-silicone-quick-release
You can also find them on Amazon
It has aesthetics that are widely appealing, it has a shape is that very versatile, its durability is without question, and its innovations will let you know that Barton Bands was thinking the whole time about the end user when you put it on. I find this to be an incredible value silicone strap. Packed with features and quality at a price that will allow you to mix and match at your will.
Full Disclosure: Barton Bands was kind enough to send me 2 Silicone Elite straps for a review. I liked them so much I immediately purchased another one for my Seiko SKX.