Strap Showcase: Looking to completely transform your new watch? Well, you're in the right place...
For quite some time now, Christopher Ward has been known in the industry as the microbrand that ‘made it big’ with their emphasis on quality made watches for prices that will not break the bank. Models such as the Trident have and continue to impress watch enthusiasts around the world with an impressive level of detail where it matters most. Their watches appeal to the watch scene masses, with designs and features that people care about. So when the brand shared the news that they were working on a genuine super compressor, the slight new divergence pricked many ears.
The Christopher Ward C65 Super Compressor - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Today isn’t about the details of that watch, we’ve already covered that in our review here. Today is about watch straps for the Christopher Ward C65 Super Compressor. Before we get into the combinations, let's go over a few key things you should be aware of and consider when it comes to strap decisions:
- Although the case width is 41mm the lug width is 22mm. Fortunately, this means having straps to choose from won’t be a problem but a generous taper down to the buckle will help this piece wear more comfortably.
- Being a diver watch with bold flashes of orange, there are many ways we can visually take the C65 Super Compressor with the most obvious options being to either bring the orange out and enhance it or subdue it. Whichever we end up going for, it’s worth being conscious of it ahead of the game.
- The super compressor case has a thickness of 13mm meaning we have a good range of possibilities for watch straps from a low profile, to thick padded choices. This thickness is a great sweet spot.
Great, now that is cleared up let’s take a look at our watch strap suggestions for the Christopher Ward C65 Super Compressor.
Premium ZULUDIVER Military Herringbone Watch Strap in Grey
The ZULUDIVER Military Herringbone Watch Strap in Grey on the Christopher Ward C65 Super Compressor - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Let's start with a combination sure to please everyone. The Herringbone strap in Grey is a part of our Premium range which promises a few things. To start with we see a silky, almost seatbelt like nylon in use to make sure that the Super Compressor remains comfortable throughout the day. Chunkier and more angular hardware also makes an appearance, matching the 41mm size. Why grey I hear you ask?. The reason for this is pretty simple: grey is incredibly versatile so the watch is rarely going to look out of place when fitted on this military style strap. The monochrome colour scheme also allows the dial details, and most importantly, the orange to really pop!
Click here to check out the Herringbone for yourself.
ZULUDIVER Padded Tropical Rubber Watch Strap
The ZULUDIVER Padded Tropical Rubber Watch Strap on the Christopher Ward C65 Super Compressor - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
As this is a genuine super compressor, let's explore a few more diving focused strap options. The Padded Tropical Rubber is quite a simple looking strap on the surface of things. With a gentle 2mm taper down the buckle, the strap’s main visual value comes via the boxed cross-hatch design commonly seen on Tropic straps. However, without the multiple perforations and strict straight borders, this strap is closer to a blend of the Tropic strap and a standard rubber offering. As the name suggests, there is also the added bonus of padding at the top of the strap. Now, we know the likelihood of you being someone who actually dives with this watch is quite slim, but fear not as the properties of rubber straps make them ideal for someone with a more active lifestyle. Be it gym-going or simply just your daily workout.
See more of the Padded Tropical Rubber here.
ZULUDIVER 284 Italian Rubber Diver's Watch Strap in Orange
The ZULUDIVER 284 Italian Rubber Diver's Watch Strap in Orange on the Christopher Ward C65 Super Compressor - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Fans of subtlety and remaining understated look away now as this next strap is for those who want to make a statement! The 284 Rubber is one of the best ‘proper’ diving watch straps out there. Visually the strap comes with a scattering of perforations on the buckle side for breathability along with the built-in expansion function seen around the top part of the strap when under pressure during a dive.
Of course, the 284 is available in a range of colours with many of them working well on this piece (black, grey and blue to name a few) but it's the orange that is the real winner here. Go ahead and pick up the orange 284 and be transported to a blisteringly hot beach, methodically organising all the essential diving gear needed for an endless day of underwater exploration.
Like the look of the 284? Click here to check it out.
ZULUDIVER 328 Italian Rubber Watch Strap in Black w/ Satin Hardware
The ZULUDIVER 328 Italian Rubber Watch Strap in Black on the Christopher Ward C65 Super Compressor - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Explore the 328 Rubber in more detail here.
Genuine H Link Shark Mesh 316L Stainless Watch Strap in Satin
The Genuine H Link Shark Mesh 316L Stainless Watch Strap in Satin on the Christopher Ward C65 Super Compressor - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Let’s have a slight change of pace now and take a look at a metal strap option, more specifically the H Link Shark Mesh bracelet. The mesh strap is another classic from our range. What makes this choice so appealing is how stripped back and ‘essential’ it looks. Of course, quality is still extremely high with a fold-over locking buckle, 6 micro-adjustments and 4 removable links, but the raw steel weave is nice and wide giving the watch an incredibly tactile feel to it.
See more of this classic metal strap here!
ZULUDIVER Beads of Rice Premium Watch Strap
The ZULUDIVER Beads of Rice Premium Watch Strap on the Christopher Ward C65 Super Compressor - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
While we’re on the subject of metal straps, say hello to the Beads of Rice bracelet on the C65 Super Compressor. If the Shark Mesh bracelet is a little too purposeful looking for you, the Beads of Rice bracelet is a cracking option as it still retains the historical visuals Christopher Ward have hinted at, but due to the quality of the bracelet finishing (not to mention the buckle), this combination is a little more approachable.
Much like popular jubilee style bracelets, the Beads of Rice bracelet has smaller metal links mixed with larger ones. The bracelet is visually gorgeous and it comes with the added bonus of historical relevance. Take a look back at original super compressor watches from the early era of diving watches and you’ll start to see a recurring trend of these bracelets...
Add the Beads of Rice to your shopping cart here.
Hinxhill Premium Quality Horween Leather Watch Strap in Green
The Hinxhill Premium Quality Horween Leather Watch Strap in Green on the Christopher Ward C65 Super Compressor - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Here we’ve gone for the green option and although it might not seem like a logical choice initially, there are a couple of main reasons why it’s here. Firstly, the dial colour of this watch is almost a brown tropical colour. This is a fantastic characterful choice as it provides the watch with quite the unique dial tone. It’s certainly a standout feature when compared to the other watches in the Christopher Ward range and is something that the green strap option effectively plays into.
And the second reason is a simple one, green and orange look fantastic together. They’re complimentary colours meaning the Hinxhill and the orange details on the watch won’t clash in any way. A final bonus as well is thanks to the strap not being a bold, in your face green either. The subtly benefits the watch even more due to the tame additions of orange.
Check out the Hinxhill Horween here!
Vintage Winchester Traditional Genuine Leather Watch Strap in Brown
The Vintage Winchester Traditional Genuine Leather Watch Strap in Brown on the Christopher Ward C65 Super Compressor - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Time for a classic brown leather strap now in the form of the Vintage Winchester. This strap is certainly a simple option opting for a quality Italian oiled leather, soft nubuck lining, solid form factor and clean stitching. But simple doesn’t mean poor quality as this strap is incredibly effective.
The strap has a short break-in period so you’ll be fully enjoying everything this lovely leather has to offer in no time. We mentioned earlier about how a generous strap taper to the buckle will increase the wearability of the watch. Well with the Winchester we’re gifted with a 4mm taper, ideal at reducing the unnecessary footprint on the wrist.
Priced at just £20, it’s harder to say no to this strap than yes, right? Click here to see out more.
Falmouth Sailcloth Padded Water-Resistant Leather Watch Strap
The ZULUDIVER Falmouth Sailcloth Padded Water-Resistant Leather Watch Strap in Army Green on the Christopher Ward C65 Super Compressor - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Remember when we looked at the Hinxhill in Green on the C65 Super Compressor? Well, we just couldn’t get green off our mind so it's back. You might expect then that another green two-piece strap yields similar results to the first execution we saw, right?
Not exactly as this time we have gone for the Falmouth Sailcloth. With generous, insanely comfortable padding, a dotted like texture to the water-resistant leather and a colour that is closer to a combat/military green the end result is completely unique.
To be honest, I love everything about this look. The texture on the strap reflects the texture on the dial with the stitching also playing its part as it effectively matches the dial colour. Just look at how the strap almost takes a back seat and exists to allow the watch to shine. The internal bezel jumps out with this one. If you’re looking to enjoy your new C65 Super Compressor as much as possible I’m sure this is the combination for you…
Grab a Falmouth Sailcloth for your C65 Super Compressor here!
Let us know your thoughts on the combinations in the comments below as well as which watch you’d like to see featured for the next strap showcase.
