I Lost My Mind So You Wouldn't Have To

Sitting down with my Seiko SBBN049 Tuna on a stock Darth Vader Tuna strap, I explain how migrating from bracelets to straps has been a disrupting event in my watch hobby.

[@yleexot]

Howdy, pilgrim. Hope your 2023 is filled with more videos for us.

[@wadsworth2351]

Time for a "state of the collection" McMahon. It needs to happen. You know it. Get at it!

[@billbredeck1249]

You’ve got a David Lee Roth quality to your delivery that makes these videos rock even harder Sir!

[@Twin_solo_az]

I’m in a similar path with bracelets. Used to be everything had to be in bracelet, then I bought a Laco watch with a really nice leather strap and it opened my mind. So light and comfortable and looks great. Then I got a pilots watch with a textile strap. Surprisingly I love that too. But for some reason, to me, dive watches look weird in anything but bracelets. So I’m moving away from dive watches.

[@robertsicker]

I’ve gone complete opposite. From all straps to all bracelets on all of my watches. My only seiko that’s on a strap right now is my skx009. I wore that on the stock jubilee until it fell apart on me.

[@stevegavin3327]

Viewing too much watch content,sort of radicalises people .the freedom of choice is the dilemma too many watches ,too many straps.it’s like a girl trying on outfits.when you find a strap and you think,it compliments the watch in colour and comfort stick with it and leave it on that strap.then you can stop stressing.otherwise we do drive ourselves crazy…!

[@Mark-sd7fc]

Great video McMahon, happy new year buddy, looking forward to the SOTC video maybe show the collection of strapcode bracelets also

[@goldbond1180]

Tuna looks great such a classic Seiko piece. There’s no way I could pull it off with my skinny wrists! You’re a lucky guy but I have to agree with your friend on the orange straps! Orange dials are great but straps..No!

[@lowie774]

TIP …..the orange monster with a orange strap

[@speedmaster7107]

I really think the common denominator here is Seiko. Whenever I ordered a Seiko, I had to plan what strap I'll use to replace the mediocre stock version. Either the leather was too stiff, or the bracelet had painful spots, or the rubber was not breathable. I bought a Tag Heuer Aquaracer on bracelet recently and had the same plan to replace the bracelet, until I realized how it was best on its original bracelet. This Tag replaced my SPB149 as my "around the house" watch. The strap is part of the package that we pay for, and if Seiko can't be bothered to make a good strap, then perhaps they can make it an option to just buy the watch without the strap at a discount.

[@daveLin104]

How does your aquaracer compare to your spb ?

[@marcreyes8399]

It’s still an obsession… but it’s a much more affordable one! I switch from leather, to straps, to NATOs to flat link and jubilees… all within my own set of rules. Because it is an obsession!!! Enjoy it

[@stanleynadulek4195]

I've been waiting for this day where you start to put your own straps on and hopefully bracelets down the road. I just begun doing the same thing with bracelets you have to practice and do a little scratching before you get good. Luckily unlike you I don't like straps I prefer bracelets but good luck with all of your various straps coming in and I hope you have a lot of fun with it.

[@lukewalker1051]

I like straps and bracelets. Depends on the watch. Btw, I own the best Tuna SBBN033 with domed Hardlex which has so much more character than flat sapphire and speaking of hyperbole, IMHO the greatest Seiko Diver 'ever'. Quartz, masculine, beautiful and indestructible. But on the Tuna, rubber strap for the win bro. You figured it out. Weight is part of the equation but not all. The high center of gravity of the Tuna is best tamed on rubber because rubber always maintains a level of 'elastic tension' which reduces the frequency of pendulous mass. Write that down for posterity because its a keeper. 😉 But, not all watch heads have the mass or in particular the higher CG of the Tuna 300m and therefore wear more comfortably on stainless bracelets. Depends on the watch. The full size Turtle is another watch that wears better on rubber for the same reason. The new slim Turtle and Willard wear fine on a bracelet even though most will wear the Willard on rubber as homage to its origin. That Tuna fits your persona. The earlier version is better...ribbing you only. Yes, the watch hobby is for hopeless, OCD nut jobs. I can't entertain a large collection either. Violates my minimalistic nature. I also believe its a waste of money even though I could afford quite a few watches. Best to spend the money on something else. Happy New Year Jeffrey. First world issues bro.

[@patrickmorrissey2271]

It's always good to be independent and self reliant.

[@jodysilvia2]

A good rubber strap is a great addition to one's collection.

[@criose]

Jeff, I feel you. I hear you. Condensing my own collection sold off all my Seiko samurais. Now the only two seiko's in my collection are my SPB 231 and the crown chrono.

[@j.p.john.12]

i always thought there was one perfect strap or bracelet for every watch. but some watches are strapoholics. i was a strapaholic too, but now i learned to fold and hide the excess material on the NATO/slipthroughs. i go leather nato now. they offer the most interesting variations I think ,Mr. McMahon. looking forward to sotc, thanks

[@underachievingwatchcollect1878]

Sounds like you’re progressing well in your watch hobby/addiction 😊. And when it comes to be annoying just remember, progress not perfection. Happy New Year to you and your family Jeff🎉.

[@ampdrum1]

Im hitting a strap phase myself. The content makes me smile in a crazy world. Peace bro.

[@ericb8888]

Good to see you happy ! Perhaps get the 24mm ( tapers to 22) ISO and just squeeze the ends down to fit . Order Skinny Fat bars or use silicone to get them through if using Fat Bars . Retrosicuro buckle option only ;)

[@watchnut5305]

I have two boxes full of spare straps. Even that can get expensive.

[@tomsterr1904]

Yes!!! Tuna is back :) Excellent :). Happy New Year 2023 :)

[@m2pozad]

This is my comment, minus the excellent. But adding- what happened to the quartz bonding problem?

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

I make one exception: The Tuna.

[@mooping9398]

Always a pleasure

[@Mister19Eleven]

I feel your pain. I went from leather, to steel, then back to leather when I got into making straps. Now I got into a black rubber phase to make my watches more “tactical” which is completely absurd because most of them are way to polished or shiny to EVER be tactical!

[@martinharrison4245]

Hi Jeff, I go back and forth , between straps and bracelets. Natos can make a watch feel masculine, and they are very easy to change too. I'm not a big fan of rubber, because the keepers tend to move about and annoy me. Stingrays are nice because they add a touch of luxury to a watch. They also do them in orange too, and work well with the seiko divers . Its nice to experiment and sometimes you find you love a watch again , purely because of a new strap. And well done for finally learning to do them yourself.

[@justinswain381]

Just ordered a Artem strap. Hope it’s worth the $$$

[@timefliesby-jleo474]

Happy new year!! You mean the “Great Transition” hahaha

[@timestandsstill7960]

Every Seiko I own is on a strap. I find many Seiko's to be top heavy and straps take care of that issue. I also think they look better on a strap. I don't know if I could put a strap on a Rolex, don't know why, but the bracelet is part of rolex identity to me, not so with a Seiko. Most Seiko bracelets are a tier or two in quality below that of the watch. They need to up their game with bracelets.

[@Tonysoprano497]

What I noticed when I moved a lot of my dive watches onto rubber was the reduction in weight really appealed. I’ve moved a few back onto stock but changed back almost instantaneously.. Felt the extra 60 grams or so really annoying , the watches felt unnecessarily heavy and bulky and it really wasn’t my thing at all .. Good leather is great too you really find out what straps work and what dosent

[@stevem863]

When do you think you might start hitting other brands? I know your love for Seiko is huge. If your transitioning to other materials, maybe take a chance on a Tudor, Rolex, Longines, etc.

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

Perhaps a Tudor down the road. We'll see.

[@Tevinn21]

Heres an interesting question, I feel: how is the conditions of your watches around the lug area holding up with this strap change lifestyle? Are you getting better at handling the process ? I finally put the SLA 047 on that black crafter blue ( Life changing ) but it was a hassle for a little while until I realized I wasn't using the spring bars sent 🤦🏽. Cheers and Happy New Years !!

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

So far no damage, but that is my biggest concern.

[@dustinr16]

Orange straps are just awful. Reminds me of bad 70s colour tones. The black strap on the Tuna is perfect as is. The Tuna design is wild enough without adding a flashy orange strap.

[@lancerichardmorton1981]

Happy New Year Jeff I do prefer rubber straps compared to bracelets, they are more comfortable and don't look as fancy which I do prefer at times Currently at 7 watches and a fitness watch just now Cheers Jeff 😉

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

Happy new year! I'm focusing on fitness as well. I gained 40 pounds since 2018. Need to lose it.

[@lancerichardmorton1981]

@Jeffrey McMahon Jeff you will get there. Its difficult keeping weight off when we are busy men with kids etc. 😉

[@theenavybluemonster]

If you ever decide to try nato style straps, skip all the natos and go straight to an Erika’s Original. Infinitely adjustable and comfortable. Also, did you ever get the Artem sailcloth strap? I love those too.

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

I almost bought the Artem but I'm just too happy with the original Tropic. I'll check out the Erika's. Thanks.

[@aakishkaushik]

You lost your mind the day you sold "the best among the rest" SUN019.

[@drbobsnightmare2521]

Kinetic nightmare even if you only have three watches total. I should just strap it to the Shiba Inu but all he does is sleep.

[@aakishkaushik]

@@drbobsnightmare2521 Not true. I stil have the SUN019 which never fails to amaze me on my wrist, SUN021 and SUN23 (shroud swapped) and SUN045 - don't need Shiba because Kinetic Charger is just right beside them making sure they're all juiced up and ready to go !

[@drbobsnightmare2521]

@@aakishkaushik lucky! I can't find a toothbrush charger.

[@samwoodfin]

Have you found any strap alternatives to the Orca?

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

No, but the stock strap is excellent.