Zuludiver Octopod

[dnslater]

I saw these on Reddit and thought I would give them a try for my FXD. The Octopod is essentially an elastic 1 piece parachute style strap fitted to a pseudo deployment strap.

The good:
Easier to take watch on and off than the typical MN style straps with the clasp
Clasp is well finished
Comfortable and stretchy
Balances a larger watch visually
Looks decent
Machining on clasp is well done.

The bad
Clasp is very bulky. Won’t be comfortable typing.
Takes awhile to install.
Not inexpensive.
Shipping from UK takes awhile.

All in all I will give it some time but so far prefer a traditional MN, NATO or the stock Velcro strap. Part of the issue is the 22mm lug size is translates to a massively large buckle. Would be better if I had larger wrists or maybe with the 20mm version. Overall it is a solution looking for a problem.

Some pics :

[Chocodove]

I’ve been trying to figure out something other than a three ring Zulu for mine, even though those work pretty well for me. Tried the Watch Steward ones, which I know Jeff really likes, but just not for me.

These look nice…but damn that buckle seems gigantic.

How do you install?

[dnslater]

I’ve been trying to figure out something other than a three ring Zulu for mine, even though those work pretty well for me. Tried the Watch Steward ones, which I know Jeff really likes, but just not for me.

These look nice…but damn that buckle seems gigantic.

How do you install?

That is one problem… no instructions… not even on their site. They have a diagram that shows you how it works so you can figure it out. Can take the spring bars off or leave them on and weave the strap through.. which I did with the help of tweezers. Took maybe 5-10 minutes. Would certainly be easier on a watch with removable spring bars. Supposedly they are working on an instructional video.

I would love to find someone that makes high quality Velcro in green and other colors similar to the stock strap.

[andy tims]

When they first came out, the clasp was about £48.00. Now they are £68.00 or £78.00 for black.

I got a bundle of 10 x 22mm straps & an original clasp pre-owned recently for £60.00 recently.

The clasp is a bit big, even for my reasonably large (7.5") wrist, but overall I'm happy at the price paid & if I could get a similar deal on 20mm staps / buckle I would buy that.

The best feature is the infinite degree of adjustability you have, allowing for a perfect fit.

The currently available clasps are apparently a bit smaller.

[dnslater]

When they first came out, the clasp was about £48.00. Now they are £68.00 or £78.00 for black.

I got a bundle of 10 x 22mm straps & an original clasp pre-owned recently for £60.00 recently.

The clasp is a bit big, even for my reasonably large (7.5") wrist, but overall I'm happy at the price paid & if I could get a similar deal on 20mm staps / buckle I would buy that.

The best feature is the infinite degree of adjustability you have, allowing for a perfect fit.

The currently available clasps are apparently a bit smaller.

Curious how you like it after wearing it awhile. I threw it in the drawer after one day and never wore it again. I just found the clasp ridiculously large.

[mattcantwin]

Thanks for the review; very helpful.

[andy tims]

Curious how you like it after wearing it awhile. I threw it in the drawer after one day and never wore it again. I just found the clasp ridiculously large.

Managed to snap a 20mm clasp & 5 straps for a very good price.

I'm happy so far. The clasps is big, but not too bad on my wrist.

[CGSshorty]

Curious how you like it after wearing it awhile. I threw it in the drawer after one day and never wore it again. I just found the clasp ridiculously large.

Managed to snap a 20mm clasp & 5 straps for a very good price.

I'm happy so far. The clasps is big, but not too bad on my wrist.

Is that the original, or the new smaller version?

[andy tims]

Original 20mm