Since the early 1980s when Hublot released its first luxury 18-karat gold watch with a rubber strap on it, the concept of rubber as a comfortable material took off. Today, many brands turn to rubber and composite materials for straps that offer depth and appeal. Some brands will create a rubber strap and put leather on top of it for the elegant look but wearable feel. Once this concept was utilized only on men’s sporty watches, but in recent years, watch brands utilize rubber and composite straps for women, as well – in price points across the board.
Patek Philippe this year unveils its much-loved Ladies Aquanaut watch in 18-karat white gold with a pale blue engraved mother-of-pearl dial and a color-coordinated pale blue composite Tropical strap with a pattern on it to match the dial. The mechanical self-winding movement offers a date aperture and a sweep seconds hand. The watch – perfect for summertime – is accented with 40 baguette diamonds weighing 2.76 carats. Naturally, it is water resistant -- to 120 meters.
Offering a bright alternative to pastels, Hermes this year releases its sporty Clipper Automatic with a choice of orange, cobalt blue, or magenta colored rubber straps. The 41mm watch, which offers a date indication, is crafted in titanium and stainless steel and is water resistant to 100 meters. It is also equipped with a unidirectional rotating bezel for underwater use. The watch features a sapphire caseback for viewing the finely finished Swiss movement.
Hublot, known for its color and rubber strap innovations, this year brought out its Hublot Big Bang Jeans line – with denim material over a rubber strap for a real twist on casual chic time. Of particular note is the Big Bang Jeans Carat 41mm stainless steel watch. It features the genuine blue jeans strap on rubber, and a genuine blue jeans and opaline colored dial. Eight diamonds act as markers on the dial, while the outer bezel is created in 18-karat white gold and is set with 48 different shades of baguette-cut blue sapphires for the ultimate weekend appeal.
