Impressions of Seiko's new Z22 strap
Aug 18, 2016 17:12:54 GMT -8
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Groundhog66, HiBeat, and 4 more like this
Post by tritto on Aug 18, 2016 17:12:54 GMT -8
I was lucky enough to win the SRP strap put up as a prize in the 2016 4th anniversary competition by Jon (HiBeat). It arrived last night, and I thought I would show it off and give my impressions here.
It arrived in a clear plastic wrapping with extra plastic protecting the buckle and keeper from damage. Sorry, no photos of the packaging. It came with a pair of shoulderless spring bars.
I quickly unwrapped it and fitted it to my Tuna, as the watch in my collection most likely to be complemented by it.
So what do I think?
The silicone is very soft and flexible, much nicer than the crappy rubber straps I've usually taken off a new-old diver and thrown in the watch box. However, it does tend to pick up dust and fluff quickly, but mostly you can just blow it off.
There's a nice texture to the underside that is similar to what I've seen on older Seiko rubber straps.
I was surprised to see Z22 on the underside. I didn't realise it has the same designation as the older generation of straps.
I'm very impressed with the buckle and keeper - to the extent that if these straps become readily and cheaply available I may get one just to take the buckle/keeper off and put them on one of my 22mm Hirsch straps. The buckle is big, but it suits the heft of the Tuna. One small downside is that the keeper tends to catch and pinch the skin as you slide it along to take up the long 6 o'clock strap as it wraps around the back of your wrist.
Tsunami wave:
On the subject of length, this is a long strap designed to allow you to put it over the top of a wetsuit. 140/80mm is the longest strap I currently own. It just works on my 7.5" wrist with the short lug to lug Tuna, but might be a bit much for smaller wrists.
See it poking around the back.
It fits snugly into the Tuna lugs:
I normally wear my divers on leather (except the one 7548 that I've had pressure tested and wear in the water), but this is a very nice silicone strap that will be sure to make those of you who prefer divers to be on dive straps happy.
I'm very pleased no one else claimed it before me and grateful to Jon for donating it and giving me the chance to check out something I probably wouldn't have otherwise bought.
It arrived in a clear plastic wrapping with extra plastic protecting the buckle and keeper from damage. Sorry, no photos of the packaging. It came with a pair of shoulderless spring bars.
I quickly unwrapped it and fitted it to my Tuna, as the watch in my collection most likely to be complemented by it.
So what do I think?
The silicone is very soft and flexible, much nicer than the crappy rubber straps I've usually taken off a new-old diver and thrown in the watch box. However, it does tend to pick up dust and fluff quickly, but mostly you can just blow it off.
There's a nice texture to the underside that is similar to what I've seen on older Seiko rubber straps.
I was surprised to see Z22 on the underside. I didn't realise it has the same designation as the older generation of straps.
I'm very impressed with the buckle and keeper - to the extent that if these straps become readily and cheaply available I may get one just to take the buckle/keeper off and put them on one of my 22mm Hirsch straps. The buckle is big, but it suits the heft of the Tuna. One small downside is that the keeper tends to catch and pinch the skin as you slide it along to take up the long 6 o'clock strap as it wraps around the back of your wrist.
Tsunami wave:
On the subject of length, this is a long strap designed to allow you to put it over the top of a wetsuit. 140/80mm is the longest strap I currently own. It just works on my 7.5" wrist with the short lug to lug Tuna, but might be a bit much for smaller wrists.
See it poking around the back.
It fits snugly into the Tuna lugs:
I normally wear my divers on leather (except the one 7548 that I've had pressure tested and wear in the water), but this is a very nice silicone strap that will be sure to make those of you who prefer divers to be on dive straps happy.
I'm very pleased no one else claimed it before me and grateful to Jon for donating it and giving me the chance to check out something I probably wouldn't have otherwise bought.
