Fluco Biarritz Navy Blue Watch Strap
March 13, 2021
Motorsports is all about suffixes. Of particular interest to most motorsports fans the ‘-est’ suffix seems to be the most lauded and consequently the hardest to get. Countless dollars and man hours have been spent to be the fast-est, jump the farth-est, or to finish the race in the short-est time. To be quick is good, to be quicker is better, but to be quick-est, is well, the b-est. I would wager though, that not long after the first race was over and the perfumed cloud of dust and oil settled, did the first ‘trash talking’ begin in earnest. This spotlight effect winning a race gives to a particular car and driver evolved almost before the engines cooled into the profitable world of automotive advertising. This completely made up, but plausible, hypothesis brings me (in an extremely round about way) to my Strapsense review this week. But before I do, I have to issue a disclaimer:
I pride myself on purchasing all of the straps I review when possible. I feel when you have your own money in the game the review is far more pure. However, every now and then a vendor will include an extra strap (or two) in my purchase for my consideration and it is greatly appreciated. As a token of my appreciation I will, occasionally review that strap. Fluco reached out to me and wanted me to look at a small sampling of their watch straps. Over the next several weeks I will review a few of these as honestly as I can. Fluco has been a favorite of mine for a while (see the reviews) and I feel the straps I have selected to review bring something special and different to the table. Whenever I get something to review that I did not pay for, I want to be fully honest and up front with my readers. I also want to thank Fluco for a chance to see some of their product line. –Stephen
Now, back to the review.
With the motorsports / advertising connection firmly established, the desire to be seen and noticed on the track and off began to take on a whole new importance. Race cars were painted some of the most eye catching and dramatic schemes in an attempt to focus the viewing attention on a product or driver. It was not long before watches joined this advertising maelstrom along with tires, fuel, oil, clothing, cigarettes and just about everything else. However, the symbiotic relationship between motorsports and watches is special, as they both exist around the fundamental absolutes of time.
When choosing a strap for my Heuer Silver Anniversary it was akin to choosing what color racing stripe to paint onto a silver car. The Heuer could pair with almost anything, and when Fluco sent me this amazingly bold Navy blue strap it seems to call out to the watch. The instant I put this combo together it just clicked. Fluco which is based out of Germany makes some of the best watch straps for the money on sale today. I have always been pleased at how much quality you get for the money. Initial impressions were extremely positive, but a full review is what I have to present here today. First a few words on what Fluco says about this strap:
For our watch bracelet we use only finest goatskin from a French tannery. Goatskin is characterized by its excellent durability. It is robust and resistant, but at the same time smooth and flexible.
–www.fluco-online.de
A slight embossing reinforces the grain typical of goat leather.
All straps are exclusively handmade in our manufactory in the Bavarian Forest.
DIMENSIONS
The strap that was sent by Fluco was the 19mm version of this strap. It is also available in an 18mm and a 20mm version as well. Mine came in at 18.8mm at the lugs, and 16mm at the free end. This kind of taper is fairly universal and is neither overly vintage nor modern. However, we we will find out, the taper is not the defining characteristic of this strap. The strap is a pleasantly even 2.4mm thick. This is right in the sweet spot for a general use strap. It is not so thin that bulkier watches will overpower the strap, and it is not so thick that it cannot be used on casual and more dressy pieces. My strap is spot on in length, at 118mm on the free and 75mm on the buckle side. On my Heuer, which is a 47.5mm lug to lug I am on the 3rd to the last hole in the strap on my slightly under 7″ wrist. This strap should fit the vast amount of watches and wrists on the market today. The only way I could see you running out of adjustment is on sub 6.5″ wrist with a large watch.
DESIGN
As part of what Fluco calls the ‘Finest Collection’, the Biarritz Navy strap certainly has a lot to live up to. That must start with the leather. Goatskin may not come across as very luxurious sounding, but mother nature has imbued this material with some very keen attributes that to the end user are very luxurious indeed. Goatskin is very water resistant by nature. It is also quite supple and giving to the touch. Unlike some other leathers though, this does not come at a cost of weakness or fragility. The Biarritz has an extremely durable semigloss sheen that comes through the evenly embossed surface. This sheen could fool your eyes into thinking this will be a very plastic and hard feeling strap since we as humans tend to attribute glossly things with hard surfaces. However, the instant your fingers grab the strap, you are invited to a tactile sensation that is amazingly comfortable.
The outside of the strap has a smooth yet textured surface and that gives a very pleasant sensation each time you touch it (and you will be doing lots of that). The inside of the strap is lined with what is described as French leather. I can speculate that this may be calf leather as its texture is smooth, but almost velvety to the touch. It is embossed appropriately in script in the native tongue, Handmade in Germany. The canvas was properly set with the leather choices, but the bold super saturated navy blue color is the absolute jewel in the crown so to speak. The color is vibrant and deep and resists any pull up or distortion no matter how the strap is bent or twisted. The surface seems slightly resistant to scratches as well, as my fingernail did not put any visible dents or scuffs in the color.
Bordering the very outside of the strap is a line of small contrast off white stitches that amplify the sporty nature of this blue color. The blue hue pulls out the blues in the silver dial of this watch amazingly well while drawing attention to the contrasting slightly orange tint of patina’ed hands at the same time. On the sides of the strap the edges have been hand burnished and sealed with remarkable neatness and aplomb. This burnishing adds to the durability and tidy aesthetics of this strap.
KEEPER AND BUCKLE
The Biarritz uses the traditional keeper layout. One is fixed and the other floats to contain the extra length of free strap. They are ideal in size and thickness. The strap feeds through without any effort as the disimilar leathers easily glide over one another wonderfully. The keepers are perfectly color matched to the strap and blend in incredibly well. They do not quite vanish in use, but they are as unobtrusive and reliable as you can hope.
The buckle on this strap is minimal and neat. It is highly polished and does its job by staying neatly tucked up against the strap and your wrist. Free of any markings, it is a perfect match to any highly polished watch.
HOW DOES IT WEAR
This one is fun. Wearing that bright blue Navy strap is like strapping on a party for your wrist. The color is not subdued nor restrained. It is vibrant and loud and combined with the contrast stitching it screams out and grabs your attention. From the moment you attach it to your favorite watch, the fun is ratcheted up a few notches and you are instantly in a better mood. Not eschewed to any particular category, this classically styled strap has an air of modernity and sportiness while not venturing too far from casual roots.
The perfect dimensions means it will be comfortable from day one. The black sealed sides of the strap surround the blue embossed leather like a perfect slim picture frame and solidify the sporty vibe this strap exudes. The soft French calf on the bottom of the strap is all day comfortable and despite my best attempts to get it to wrinkle and split, I was only presented with a strap that grew softer and more flexible without any signs of wear. The outer blue embossed grain never showed the slightest damage or wear or degradation while I wore this strap. The color stayed true on the leather and sealant with seeming impermeability to the world around it. The Biarritz is ready for a bold watch and bold times.
WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR
This strap needs a watch with attitude. I think it is ideal for motorsports watches like the Heuer seen here, that can handle a bold color, and not get lost. Remember, this strap is like bold stripes on a racing car. Choose your watch accordingly. I would also think this could amplify the fun factor of a stoic watch like say a SARB with a smooth black or white dial. The explosion of color simply refuses to be taken too seriously and brings some much needed joviality to the wrist.
I will add a word of caution though, like in my Sinn 556 ib Strap This Watch section (https://strapsense.com/strap-this-watch/sinn-556-i-b/) that matching blue is extremely hard. This strap can act like the spotlight directing your eyes to an otherwise color challenged watch. However, if your watch is just as bold and colorful, this may become a mismatch unless the blues involved are spot on identical (which is next to impossible). Get it right, and it is magical, get it wrong and it will look just a bit off.
WHERE CAN I GET IT
Fluco straps are sold in many places, but I would advise you to have a look at Flucos’ new online storefront. The sight is beautifully done and makes shopping quite easy. They have prices in both Euro and USD (hint, go to the very bottom and your can switch from GER to ENG by clicking the appropriate flag.
https://fluco-online.de/produkt/biarritz/?lang=en
SUMMARY
Fluco has been around for a very long time. That is no accident. The skill which this German shop produces products is evident with each strap I have purchased. From their shrunken leather rally straps, to the this beautiful embossed Biarritz, I have never been disappointed in the appearance and feel of a Fluco strap. If you have a watch that seems to be in the doldrums and needs a kick to get it back into rotation a strap with an electric bold blue like this one could be just the ticket. Give it a try and I think you will be very pleasantly shocked at how fun this strap can be.
