Seiko Divers Watch Rubber Straps: Choose the Artem Hydroflex

If you’re like me, you’re always on the hunt for the perfect Seiko divers watch rubber strap, and who could blame us?

A really great watch strap has the power to transform a watch completely. It can turn a ready-for-anything diver into a casual statement piece and vice versa in minutes. It can make you feel like you bought a brand new watch, and who doesn’t love that new watch feeling?

Now, you might not be a watch strap enthusiast like me, but I’m here to argue that every watch box needs at least a few great options on hand, even if you only pick up a few to switch up your wrist game from time to time.

And I might have found the next perfect strap for your Seiko diver’s watch.

Key Takeaways

• A great watch strap has the power to transform a watch completely, turning a ready-for-anything diver into a casual statement piece and vice versa in minutes.
• When finding the perfect rubber strap, the Artem Hydroflex checks all the right boxes with a thoughtful and stylish design.
• The Hydroflex strap pairs an embossed synthetic upper with a durable premium FKM rubber base, resulting in a strap that stands apart from cheap, mass-produced rubber straps.
• The Hydroflex is inherently more wearable than your typical rubber strap, thanks to its stylish and even classy textile-like embossed upper.
• The optional deployant clasp is absolutely brilliant, easy to use, and feels like a premium style of clasp deserving of one of the best rubber straps on the market.

What To Look for in the Perfect Watch Strap

Before we get too far into it, what should you look for in the perfect watch strap anyway? I think it goes without saying that you should always pick something that speaks to your style—a strap that you’ll always enjoy wearing on your wrist. It’s also important to keep in mind where you’ll be wearing your watch.

Straps come in many materials and price points that tend to serve different purposes. There’s durable rubber for those with active lifestyles, military-inspired NATO for occasions that call for a comfortable and laid-back strap, and even sophisticated leather for refined and buttoned-up aesthetics. But for today, we’re turning our focus onto rubber.

The Rise of Rubber Watch Straps

It seems like every company is touting their rubber strap these days, and why shouldn’t they? They’re in vogue and cater to a massive clientele of modern watch enthusiasts.

When finding the perfect rubber strap, the Artem Hydroflex checks all the right boxes with a thoughtful and stylish design.

Artem: Innovating the Perfect Strap

So, Artem, an Australian-based company, was founded by fellow horology enthusiasts who were simply trying to find the perfect strap for their collection. As they were disappointed by the options available on the market, they set out to develop their own product that is superior in both design and function.

The result is an impressive selection of strap options in nylon, sailcloth, and the star of this article—Hydroflex.

The Hydroflex: More Than Just Another Rubber Strap

Hydroflex is an innovative strap that pairs an embossed synthetic upper with a durable premium FKM rubber base. I already know what you’re thinking—that sounds like every other rubber strap on the market.

But the Hydroflex strap isn’t like anything else out there right now. In an industry filled with cheap, mass-produced rubber straps, Artem’s offerings stand apart with a truly intentional design that took months of research and development to perfect.

I’d easily say it’s the Bugatti or Ferrari of rubber straps. Trust me, you’ll feel the difference once this is strapped to your wrist, and you might even have a hard time wearing other rubber straps from any other brand after experiencing this one.

Versatility Meets Durability

I’ve also noticed that the trouble with rubber is that it isn’t usually versatile. With its synthetic nature, it isn’t the type of strap you would usually want to wear to the office or for an evening out. However, Hydroflex is inherently more wearable than your typical rubber strap with its stylish and even classy textile-like embossed upper.

All of these straps are 20 mm, which pairs really well with a lot of watches in my collection, including my Seiko diver’s watch—a huge plus. They taper nicely from about 5.35 mm to 2.55 mm thick for a seamless transition around the wrist from the case to the clasp.

Clasp Options

The straps come with a classic tang-style clasp; however, I opted for the optional updated deployant clasp, which is absolutely brilliant. I’ve never handled or dealt with these types of clasps before, but it’s very easy to use and feels like a premium style of clasp deserving of what I feel is one of the best rubber straps on the market. It does cost a little extra, but I say it’s well worth the money.

Pricing and Value

Now, speaking of money, compared to the rest of Artem’s catalog, the Hydroflex commands a higher premium, which can be attributed to the time and materials it takes to perfect the concept of the ideal rubber strap.

But if you ask me, I appreciate the time Artem has taken to develop the Hydroflex straps and don’t mind the higher price, especially if it means a better wrist-wearing experience overall.

Video Journey

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a premium and well-made rubber strap for your Seiko diver’s watch, the Hydroflex from Artem has to be at the top of your list. So that’s it for this one.

If you’re impressed with the Artem Hydroflex strap, I invite you to check out my review of their sailcloth strap. Like the Hydroflex, it’s a play on different materials, pairing a synthetic upper with a leather base.