Which make better watch bands – leather straps or metal bracelets?

Different people have different preferences so I'll just point out some of the advantages and disadvantages of leather straps and metal bracelets. Leather straps are soft and they breathe since leather is a natural fiber. Watches with leather straps also don't have as much of a tendency to slip since you can set the size of the watch band so that it's comfortable for you. Metal is definitely heavier than leather so watches with leather straps are less likely to slip. Of course if you want to participate in water sports with a watch with a leather strap then you should consider wearing sharkskin leather. It's true that leather straps don't last quite as long as watches with metal bracelets, but that also gives you the opportunity to give your watch a new look so it's not all bad. Watches with steel bracelets can be agonizing because you have to decide on a certain size and can't just change the size whenever you want. You have to choose if you want the watch to be loose and twisting on your wrist or tight, which then makes marks on your skin. Although it appears that watches with steel bracelets are less likely to break than leather straps, this is a misconception. The intricate makings of a steel bracelet make watches with these bands more susceptible to break. Leather straps offer a choice of the various different types of leather as well as the color and finish of the strap. Watches with metal bracelets have a distinctive look which some think is glamorously like jewelry, while others think they look more like shackles than jewelry.

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The whole water issue really makes watches with metal bracelets a better choice in my opinion. With a metal bracelet you can do chores, take a shower, or anything without having to worry about ruining the watch strap. Watches with sharkskin straps are practically the only leather option, but they usually don't go very well with watch cases. Besides, as long as you don't set the watch's metal bracelet at a size that's too tight for you, it should be perfectly comfy on your wrist. Plus if you sweat while wearing a watch with a metal bracelet there's no harm done because you can simply wash it off, unlike with leather straps that get worn away when you perspire. Also, the chances of people stealing watches with metal bracelets are much slimmer because of the customized size of the watch bands. There's no way just anyone could strap on a watch with a metal bracelet like a leather strapped watch. Watches with metal bracelets are much more durable than those with leather straps. Besides, whoever designed the watch must have known what they were doing if you liked it enough to buy and wear it so I don't buy that bit about wanting to change the watch bands. If you ask me, it's the leather straps that are out of style and the watches with metal bracelets that are totally fashionable.

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