Found the perfect real rubber strap for my NSA...

[Dixan]

I love everything about it. It's a Benetto Cinturini genuine rubber strap, model #314.


It's the perfect size (22/20, not 22/22), the perfect thickness, the perfect rigidity (I dislike rubber straps that are too soft and pliable), and the perfect design.


I love that the three channels, or whatever they're called, complement the overall aesthetic of the NSA so well, and especially that they remind one of the traditional four stripe (and therefore three negative stripe) motif of JLC's dive line, as seen on the recent TTDS Alarm's box. I believe this gold stripe element has been used some way or the other going all the way back to the dive watches of the Sixties.










(Not my photos; borrowed from the internet.)

I absolutely love that the OEM 20 mm tang buckle works perfectly. The tang itself fits the holes very nicely (I dislike when the tang has too much wiggle room within the holes).


Anytime an aftermarket strap eschews branding or other unnecessary verbiage on the underside, it automatically wins points, in my book. The bonus here is the cool patterned surface on the inside of the strap.


I even love that the point end is, well, a point. I do like the Hirsch Pure strap a lot, and I wore my NS Diver on one often, but the inelegant blunt square end kind of irked me. Lastly, that these straps are so inexpensive ($25!), just makes me that much happier. Oh, and did I mention how great it smells? I highly recommend this Benetto Cinturini genuine rubber strap!


Thanks for reading. And please excuse the Photobucket edited photos. I'm away from my Pshop equipped computer.

[hoppyjr]

I like it.

[CGSshorty]

That works great.

[aikiman44]

I like it AND it works great.

[Terpits]

Nice!! I am still waiting for my Biwi.

[slashd0t]

Looks awesome!!

[manitoujoe]

Where did you get it?

[logan2z]

Perfect!

[Dixan]

Thanks, guys for the kind words. It's a great strap for the price. I have the OEM rubber dive strap, but I've always disliked how cumbersome and thick it is. This strap just "flows" better with my wrist movements. Makes the NSA super comfortable.

I also got the BC #315 model. Excited to try it soon.


Also, I really like how they resolved the channels, where they smooth out and join with the buckle area. Really well designed, especially for the price point. I'm impressed.

Nice!! I am still waiting for my Biwi.

I'll wait until you've given your opinions, but I'll say, for now, that the rubber is top grade, and I wish they would've included a second keeper. I suppose that wouldn't matter to people with larger wrists.

Where did you get it?

I bought several 20 mm BC straps from Chronoworld in Japan, because they have the largest selection. They cost about $10 more a piece, though, than the ones from The Watch Prince. TWP seemed to have more 22 mm choices, so that's where I got these from. And their lower prices were much appreciated.

[rockmastermike]

That looks incredible. thanks for the heads up on the source.

[jimyritz]

looks good..

[Panerai7]

Great looking strap.
Do the have XL?
Most of these straps are longer tail and short buckle side

[falcon4311]

Looks perfect.

[toxicavenger]

That looks great, I think the one with the 3 holes in it like Halios had on the Bluering might look cool also.

[jswing]

Looks great, I love BC straps. Have you seen the one with the carbon fiber pattern? I always thought that would look nice on a higher end watch. Not sure the model #, but it's the cover strap on their site.

http://www.bonettocinturini.it/en/

[toxicavenger]

^^ur right that would look good

[Dixan]

Cheers, guys. It's great when we can get a little bit excited about something that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Thanks for the replies.

Great looking strap.
Do the have XL?
Most of these straps are longer tail and short buckle side

I'm not sure. The Biwi strap I ordered was a bit long, and the 20 mm BC straps I just got in all seemed nearly too long, as well. This one fits me perfectly (7" wrist). I don't know if it's because of the specific fitment, with this watch, or what. I'm using the third to last hole, and there are four "larger" settings/holes. Hope that helps.

That looks great, I think the one with the 3 holes in it like Halios had on the Bluering might look cool also.

Cool. Thanks for the heads-up. I'll look into those too.

Looks great, I love BC straps. Have you seen the one with the carbon fiber pattern? I always thought that would look nice on a higher end watch. Not sure the model #, but it's the cover strap on their site.

http://www.bonettocinturini.it/en/

I really wanted that one, too! It seems to be sold out everywhere. It reminds me less of carbon fiber, and more of the pattern on the straps for the Tribute to Deep Sea and Polaris watches. I like it. I may pick one up yet. If you get one, please post real life photos of it!

[jswing]

Cheers, guys. It's great when we can get a little bit excited about something that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Thanks for the replies.

Great looking strap.
Do the have XL?
Most of these straps are longer tail and short buckle side

I'm not sure. The Biwi strap I ordered was a bit long, and the 20 mm BC straps I just got in all seemed nearly too long, as well. This one fits me perfectly (7" wrist). I don't know if it's because of the specific fitment, with this watch, or what. I'm using the third to last hole, and there are four "larger" settings/holes. Hope that helps.

That looks great, I think the one with the 3 holes in it like Halios had on the Bluering might look cool also.

Cool. Thanks for the heads-up. I'll look into those too.

Looks great, I love BC straps. Have you seen the one with the carbon fiber pattern? I always thought that would look nice on a higher end watch. Not sure the model #, but it's the cover strap on their site.

http://www.bonettocinturini.it/en/

I really wanted that one, too! It seems to be sold out everywhere. It reminds me less of carbon fiber, and more of the pattern on the straps for the Tribute to Deep Sea and Polaris watches. I like it. I may pick one up yet. If you get one, please post real life photos of it!

I have yet to actually see one for sale, which is odd. But you're right, it does remind me of those you mentioned.

[AtomicTom]

Boy, that is nice ! Definitely am seeing how those channels in the strap
are playing off the watch. Works perfectly with the look of both the bezel,
and the dial. On top of that, the matte look of the strap matches up in such
a cool way as well.

JLC could have packed this with the watch it's so nice honestly. Looks terrific !
Congratulations on it !

[Dixan]

I have yet to actually see one for sale, which is odd. But you're right, it does remind me of those you mentioned.

Keep an eye on this, here. They're out of stock right now:

http://www.thewatchprince.com/Italian-R ... 22mm-Black

(I have zero affiliation with TWP or Chronoworld.)

Boy, that is nice ! Definitely am seeing how those channels in the strap
are playing off the watch. Works perfectly with the look of both the bezel,
and the dial. On top of that, the matte look of the strap matches up in such
a cool way as well.

JLC could have packed this with the watch it's so nice honestly. Looks terrific !
Congratulations on it !

Thanks! You're right about the detailing. It really could be OEM. That's what I like most about it.

[Zidane]

Nice! Also, glad to see you around here!

[Dixan]

Nice! Also, glad to see you around here!

Thanks, Nick. Nice to see you too.

[Knome]

That looks like a fantastic match!

[1watchaholic]

VERY nice combo!!

[Axelay2003]

Not bad.