Watch strap material

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Fat Controller, Oct 15, 2021.

  1. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    I have a bit of a problem and I am going to have to resolve it, and that problem involves a watch strap...

    One of the conditions imposed by the doctors to allow me to get out of hospital in May was that I regularly monitored my O2 saturation and heart rate. To make that easier and to keep a good record of it, I bought a smartwatch. Had you told me beforehand that I would ever find a use for one, I would have laughed you out of the room, however this little gadget is actually excellent at what it does and has provided data and graphs for doctors to work with, which is great.

    However, my wrist doesn't like it. Specifically my skin doesn't like the strap and gets very sore indeed. My wrist can swell a bit at times too, but I am not sure that is caused by the watch, but rather may simply exacerbate my reaction to the watch.

    I am doing all of the relevant things such as cleaning the watch and straps etc to no avail, so I can only arrive at the conclusion that it is the rubbery material that the strap is made of.

    Do you react to a watch strap? If so, what material is better - I am thinking leather, but not sure? Also, when did watch straps get so bloomin' expensive?
     
  2. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    • Fat Controller

      Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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      Thank you both - those are more like the price I was expecting as well; sadly, the watch requires some sort of quick release strap (I think because of the way it is constructed) which means there are no through holes in the watch head itself. Maybe that is why the price is higher.

      I will have a look at both the nylon and leather.

      My skin is generally not good with things - the day after getting out of hospital this last time, I was covered in a rash right across the bulk of my body, but no clue what set it off. Cleared within a day or two.
       
    • Victoria

      Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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      Allergic to the hospital? I had constant high blood pressure (still get it when I go for my checks and Physio at the hospital) but normal at home. There is a message here. ;)
       
    • Upsydaisy

      Upsydaisy Total Gardener

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      Same here as Vicky, they were even considering cancelling my surgery the following day. I'm fine the rest of the time away from anything medical.:noidea:

      My brother has a similar issue on wearing his call alarm too.

      Maybe it will be best to take regular readings from a monitor ....plenty around, that won't require being worn all the time. You will need to make sure you take regular readings though...lots of reminders put in place.:dbgrtmb:. The hospital will tell you how often to take a reading.
       
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      • Fat Controller

        Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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        Could be, however I also get it with some artificial sweeteners and household things as well - whatever happened in 2018 has left my skin with zero tolerance of stuff out of the ordinary

        I tried that, but my work tends to be so mad I will work 8-9hrs without moving, plus the docs want overnight readings if possible.
         
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        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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          I've not worn a watch for years, but when I was younger I always had stainless steel strap.
           
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          • wiseowl

            wiseowl Admin Staff Member

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            Good afternoon @Fat Controller my friend I tried many different creams /ointments on my smart watch strap wrist now I always use Calamine lotion which works for me:smile:
             
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            • Nikolaos

              Nikolaos Total Gardener

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              Yeah, a surprising amount of people are allergic to the rubber ones, FC. I have loads of different straps from Watch Obsession as I'm a bit of a watch freak, Hirsch are probably the best value for money but of course it depends on the material, my burgundy crocodile one cost me £150! But anyway, it's about the actual lining more than it is about the main material in this instance, you'll see in the details section that the lining is "Silkglove leather lining", out of all my watch straps it's the ones lined with this stuff that are by far the most comfortable against my skin. So just go for a cheaper main material like calfskin with Silkglove lining and you should have a fairly durable and comfortable strap! :)

              Hirsch GENUINE CROCO Shiny Burgundy Crocodile Leather Watch Strap

              PS I'm afraid I'm not familiar with smart watches, what's the lug width on yours, @Fat Controller? I'll see if I can dig out some of my spares, I know I have a white fine-grained leather one with the lining I mentioned but that's 20mm. :scratch: Quick-release spring-bars too, so would be perfect if the size was right! :blue thumb:

              Nick
               
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                Last edited: Oct 15, 2021
              • Fat Controller

                Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                • pete

                  pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                  Do they make watch straps out of rubber these days?:frown:

                  I'm not surprised they cause a skin reaction, they would stop the skin from breathing and sweat would build up underneath.
                   
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                  • Nikolaos

                    Nikolaos Total Gardener

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                    Yeah, looks like it is a 20mm @Fat Controller, just looked the lug width up. PM me your address and I'll chuck my leather one in a Jiffy bag for you, should be with you in a couple of days max! I've only worn it 2-3 times and I'd much rather someone was getting some use out of it than gathering dust in a drawer! Just managed to find the original listing for it in my order email actually, not sure the link will work...

                    Hirsch TORONTO Fine-Grained White Leather Watch Strap

                    Nick
                     
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                    • Fat Controller

                      Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                      Thanks Nick, I will PM you and we can work out what I owe you - that is a bit of luck, thank you, top man :thumbsup:
                       
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                      • Nikolaos

                        Nikolaos Total Gardener

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                        You don't owe me a thing pal, if anything you're doing me a favour by helping me declutter, I won't be able to find my way around my home soon I've got that much stuff! :heehee:

                        Nick
                         
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