NOT JUST A PRETTY FACE

Forget the dial – some luxury watchmakers are now turning watch straps into the stars of the show.

Offering variants in all sorts of leathers and colours, the watch strap market is a growing one, and for good reason: Switching watch bands is a quick way for fickle-minded watch lovers to change the look of their timepieces – easier and more cost-effective, for sure, than picking up a new watch each time horological ennui sets in. But said straps often have to be purchased separately, and not being able to do the swop ourselves is more hassle than anything else.

Good thing then, that easily interchangeable straps are a focus for a number of the year’s latest releases. Hublot recently launched new versions of its ladies’ Big Bang 39mm, incorporating the brand’s patented One Click system, which allows straps to be changed swiftly. In particular, the Big Bang Pop Art One Click range sports a choice of three different-coloured straps. But while changing the straps might be a breeze, matching them to one’s outfits might take a little more consideration. The bands feature bold colourways that put the “pop art” in the watch’s moniker: They are made from rubber or alligator in unmissably vibrant shades like orange, purple and pink.

For those with more discreet tastes, there’s Vacheron Constantin’s revamped Overseas collection of sporty, travelthemed timepieces. Each watch in the range comes with a metal bracelet, as well as leather and rubber straps. Thanks to a nifty interchangeability device and folding clasp that secures the strap in place, changing the band is a cinch – and especially handy for work trips involving numerous events in varying settings.