Watch Bands

Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Fitbit and a universal band with standard spring bars. The brand row above the grid splits them, because the connector is the part that decides whether a band fits and no amount of measuring the strap will tell you.

Within a brand, check the case size in millimetres. A 41mm band will not reach the lugs on a 45mm watch.

• Apple Watch: a slide-in connector, sized by the watch case in millimetres
• Galaxy Watch: standard spring bars, sized by lug width, usually 20mm or 22mm
• Fitbit: a proprietary clip that differs by tracker
• Universal: spring bars, for any traditional watch with a matching lug width

Strap length is a separate question from fitting. All the bands here have several holes and adjust across normal wrist sizes.

• Slim bands, cut narrow so the strap does not overwhelm a smaller watch
• Standard bands with a buckle, the closest thing to a traditional watch strap
• Cuff bands, wide enough to sit like a bracelet
• Double wrap bands that go around the wrist twice

All of them are full-grain cowhide. A leather band takes about two weeks to stop feeling stiff and then holds the shape of your wrist.

A new leather band is stiff for the first week or two and then stops being noticeable. Wear it slightly looser than feels right at first, because the strap softens and the fit tightens as it takes the shape of your wrist.

The hole you use most will stretch a little. That is the band fitting you, not wearing out.

Swimming, the gym and long runs. Sweat and repeated soaking stiffen leather faster than anything else, and a band worn through both will not last the way one kept for the rest of the week does.

Most people keep the original silicone band for those and swap back afterwards. On every fitting here that takes under a minute.

A band is sold by the size of the watch, not by the size of your wrist, and that is where most ordering mistakes start.

• Apple Watch: measured in millimetres across the case, for example 42 or 46. A band made for a 40mm case will not sit on a 45mm one.
• Galaxy Watch: measured by strap width, usually 20mm or 22mm.
• Fitbit: every model has its own connector, so bands do not move between them.

Your wrist decides which hole you use, not which band you buy. If you fall between strap lengths, take the longer one. A cobbler can add a hole in two minutes, and nobody can lengthen leather.