You Need a Different Band

I absolutely love a classy dress watch with a smooth black leather band. Preferably a really nice shell cordovan. Semi-shiny, tapered as much as possible (And still look good), and as pointed as possible without the tip dying too soon or snagging on things.

I have always had black watchbands.Back in my nato/zulu days I always went with black ones. When I found shark mesh I bought a black one. My dive watches that were on rubber, were on black rubber.

I did purchase a charcoal leather band for my Zeno Bauhaus Winder, but I’m not going to count that as ‘not black’ because it looks like black suede, as dark as it is.

All this has just changed. I bought my first band that isn’t black (I don’t count my shelf watches — Swatches and sci fi pieces). I felt that the Stowa Antea needed a gray leather band so I bought one.

I’m still in shock… a little.

It looks so different. All the things I love about smooth black leather bands is absent. However it really brings out the polished case and buckle — in a different way than a black band does. I thought it would move the watch further away from being dressy, and make it more ‘everyday wear’ style. But it actually has a sophisticated look now. It’s almost more dressy on the gray.

All in all I think gray is the perfect color for this watch so I’m glad I stepped out of my comfort zone. If you never have, you should try it.