The Breitling blue face watch is a statement piece, a symbol of precision engineering and rugged elegance. It's a watch that demands attention, and its distinctive blue dial often inspires a desire for customization. While the original bracelet or leather strap offers a classic aesthetic, the Breitling blue face rubber strap presents a compelling alternative, blending sporty appeal with unparalleled comfort. This article will delve into the world of Breitling watch straps, focusing on the allure of the blue face paired with a rubber strap, exploring the available options, and considering aftermarket alternatives.
The Allure of Rubber: Comfort Meets Performance
Why choose a rubber strap for your Breitling blue face? The answer lies in its versatility and inherent advantages. Rubber straps are incredibly comfortable, conforming to the wrist without the stiffness often associated with metal bracelets or leather. This makes them ideal for everyday wear, especially in warmer climates or during active pursuits.
Furthermore, rubber is inherently water-resistant, making it a practical choice for watches designed for aviation, diving, or general outdoor activities. A rubber strap allows you to fully utilize the functionality of your Breitling without worrying about damaging a leather strap or the discomfort of a wet metal bracelet.
The Breitling blue face rubber strap also offers a striking visual contrast. The bold, sporty texture of the rubber complements the sophisticated blue dial, creating a look that is both modern and timeless. It’s a combination that speaks to adventure, capability, and a confident sense of style.
Exploring the Breitling Rubber Strap Universe
Breitling offers a variety of rubber strap options, each designed to enhance the aesthetics and functionality of their timepieces. These options can be broadly categorized by material, color, and design.
* Genuine Breitling Rubber Straps: These are the straps manufactured directly by Breitling, ensuring perfect compatibility with your watch case and buckle/clasp. They are typically made from high-quality vulcanized rubber, known for its durability, resistance to tearing, and comfortable feel. Genuine Breitling straps are often more expensive but guarantee the quality and precision fit that Breitling is known for.
* Aftermarket Breitling Straps: The aftermarket offers a wider range of options in terms of design, color, and price. These straps are manufactured by third-party companies and are designed to fit Breitling watches. While some aftermarket straps offer excellent quality and value, it's crucial to research the brand and materials used to ensure compatibility and longevity. Be particularly wary of excessively cheap options, as the rubber quality may be inferior, leading to premature cracking or discomfort.
Sizing Matters: Finding the Perfect Fit
When choosing a rubber strap, ensuring the correct size is paramount. The lug width, the distance between the lugs where the strap attaches to the watch case, is the most crucial measurement. Common Breitling lug widths include:
* Breitling Rubber Strap 22mm: This is a very common size found on many Breitling models, including some Navitimers, Superoceans, and Avenger models.
* Breitling Rubber Strap 20mm: This size is often found on smaller or vintage Breitling models.
It's essential to consult your watch's specifications or measure the lug width yourself to ensure a proper fit. Using the wrong size strap can damage the lugs or result in an insecure fit.
Beyond Blue: Exploring Color and Texture Options
While a black rubber strap is a classic and versatile choice, consider exploring other colors to complement your Breitling blue face. A dark blue rubber strap, for example, can create a seamless and sophisticated look, echoing the color of the dial. Gray or even white rubber straps can also provide a striking contrast, depending on your personal style.
Beyond color, consider the texture of the rubber strap. Breitling offers various textures, including smooth, textured, and even stylized designs with the Breitling logo or other motifs. The texture can significantly impact the overall aesthetic of the watch, adding a touch of ruggedness or sophistication.
The Deployment Clasp: Security and Style
Many Breitling rubber straps are designed to be used with a deployment clasp. A Breitling rubber strap with deployment offers several advantages:
* Enhanced Security: A deployment clasp provides a more secure closure than a traditional tang buckle, reducing the risk of the watch accidentally falling off your wrist.
* Improved Comfort: A deployment clasp allows for a more precise fit, as you can adjust the micro-adjustments on the clasp to find the perfect level of snugness.
* Extended Strap Life: By reducing the stress on the strap material, a deployment clasp can help extend the life of your rubber strap.
Breitling offers both folding clasps and push-button deployment clasps, each with its own advantages. Folding clasps are generally more robust and easier to use, while push-button clasps offer a sleeker and more refined look.
Alternative Materials: Leather and Beyond
While rubber is an excellent choice for many Breitling owners, it's worth considering other materials as well.
* Breitling Leather Strap 22mm: A leather strap offers a classic and elegant aesthetic, particularly well-suited for dressier occasions. Breitling offers a range of leather straps in various colors and finishes, including calfskin, alligator, and even exotic leathers. A brown or black leather strap can create a sophisticated contrast with the blue dial.breitling blue face rubber strap