What does “Strap Size” mean?

Strap size describes the length and fit of a strap, as opposed to its width at the lugs. Many brands use simple sizes such as small, medium and long, while others use their own size codes or give the length of each half of the strap in millimetres. Some straps also come in sizes designed for a deployant clasp rather than a pin buckle.

For dealers selling straps on their own, size matters because a strap that is too short or too long will not suit the buyer, and brand straps can be costly to replace. Buyers usually ask for the wrist size the strap fits, the length of both halves and whether it is designed for a buckle or a folding clasp. On watches sold with their original strap, it is worth noting whether the strap has been worn and creased at a particular hole, which shows how it has been used and whether it fits a smaller or larger wrist.

A typical description: “Genuine rubber strap, medium size, fits roughly a 17 to 19 cm wrist, 20 mm at the lugs, lightly worn.”