Maikes Straps

A lot of time is spent on marketing and reviews of watches, but perception can be altered in an instant with a strap change. A strap change can make an already great watch even better and can make a low-cost watch look stunning.

This is a post where I will mostly let pictures do the storytelling. I recently purchased a couple of Maikes (AliExpress store) straps from Amazon (Amazon store) to try on two very different watches. I know nothing about the brand other than they had some specific colors I was after in the sizes I needed.

Watch #1

The Christopher Ward C60 Trident Bronze Ombré (review), which contains an automatic Sellita SW200. The default watch/strap combo is already great quality and high-cost at around $1,000. Originally on a brown and black distressed strap, I decided to try it on a dark brown and black accented leather with a black buckle.

Watch #2

The Songdu No.D-9237M (review), which contains a quartz Miyota 2315. I really do like the dial design and is low-cost at around $20. Originally on a Milanese stainless steel bracelet, a style I typically do not like, I decided to try it on a dark teal strap that complements the teal second hand.

Again, these watches are very different in all respects…Automatic versus Quartz, Swiss versus Japanese, Dive versus Dress, Bronze versus Stainless, the list goes on. But the point here is the straps, which have the ability to transform the overall look of a watch, any watch.

Maikes Straps

I have tried a variety of straps, and for $15/each, my first foray into Maikes straps suggest they are good quality for the price in terms of the leather and buckles. The only complaint I have is that the buckle prongs seem a little too large for the holes, so sometimes it can be a struggle to get the prong into a hole, particularly if you are in a hurry. This is the case on both the 20mm and 22mm straps in this review. The black buckle I received also has a chip on the prong (take an up-close look at the wrist photo at the end of the review).

These are the “Vintage Oil Wax Leather Straps.” On the Christopher Ward is the 22mm dark brown with black clasp. On the Songdu is the 20mm dark blue with silver clasp. Both straps have dark/black tones and an cream-colored stitching. The strap loops are significantly larger on the 22mm strap, which does suit a heavier dive watch.

The brown strap has white stitching on the interior, while the blue strap interior stitching is black.

The leather seems very well put together and quite sturdy. Based on the textures and feel, I believe they will last quite a long time. The colors are very well done, visually bold, but not over the top.

Dark Brown with Black Clasp

Blue with Silver Clasp

On the wrist

Note the chipped prong.

One of the best ways to change your wrist-wear is not to change your watch(es), but to change straps. And it is less expensive! Maikes straps made a good first impression for the price, and in my opinion are worth the look.