Finally an honest Artem review. They look ace. Super photogenic. But ultimately not very comfortable. And their clasps are very average. They are very good straps but fantastically over priced. Most reviewers simply praise - possibly as they get them free and haven’t forked out hard earned cash - or maybe they want more freebies from Artem in future (who can blame them!). So kudos for a genuine review my friend - a dying art on watch KZfaq unfortunately. Gives your channel a real honesty to it.

I really appreciate your candid reviews, particularly of more expensive options like Forstner and Artem. That said, I'd appreciate you comparing Strapcode, Uncle Straps, and Watch Gecko bracelet options at some point!

Thanks for sharing your insights. I was curious about Artem for a while now. I appreciate your thoughts and advice. Keep ‘em coming my friend, love what you do 😊👍🏼

Seems like the stiffness and rigidity of the OG strap from Artem makes it hold the shape better. Great feedback! I have found that the more expensive the rubber strap is the more it tends to return to flat immediately. My cheaper FKM straps hold the wrist shape even when you take them off but my Rubber B ($280 for a strap) go completely flat. The FKM mix that Rubber B uses is so supple that they immediately hug the wrist. The other thing Rubber B offers is the dream strap which has infinite adjustment with 2mm spaced holes. They don't offer it for every watch but man oh man is it nice!

You can mould the rubber straps by wrapping them around the inner side of a mug, pouring over hot water and letting it cool down. It will maintain a round shape after that.

Thanks for the candid review. I've been eyeing a flat link Forstner bracelet for my Omega Speedmaster, especially since they now offer a milled clasp for it. As for those hybrid Artem straps, they are extraordinarily highly priced for what they are: a synthetic material, industrially produced, made in China product. I would be amazed if the ex-factory cost was much more than USD 10. At USD 218, you can get a custom, luxury leather, made in France strap from Jean Rousseau or Camille Fournet. And they propose a rubber lining, if perspiration / climate is an issue.

I own the Ladder and BOR from Forstner, and wouldn't hesitate to buy more. They're pricey but worth it if you dig the style.

Really enjoyed this one. Have been eyeing both of these brands and it was helpful to get your perspective. I see you are closing in on 50K Peter well deserved too.

Thanks for this video Peter, great hearing an actual opinion on what works and doesn't work for these straps vs a "paid-positive" review and having the reviewer claim that it's their "honest opinion". Kudos to you, this is refreshing content.

I have a bb58 on a Forster jubilee very pleased with it

I bought a Forstner Flat Link Bracelet for my Speedmaster which cost me around £180. The flat link bracelet I feel is so much better looking on the Speedmaster than the standard issue. I have to say that when I picked up the bracelet the first thing I noticed was just how light it was. To be frank, I really feel that it isn't the standard that I expected for the money. It does look good but I would have preferred soemthing with a bit more weight. Artem sailcloth straps are great but do take a bit of breaking in.

Love my Artem strap (not FKM hybrid) on my 21mm lug width Fortis F-39. Perfect pairing and the quality of the Artem sailcloth strap is outstanding. 🙂

Great review Peter! I’ve been exploring bracelet / strap options for all day comfort and love wearing FKM in the Tropics. New Margrette Watch arrived (Moana Pacific X RedbarNZ) & the Ti bracelet is super slinky and comfy.

Thanks for your honesty

This is really useful to know. I have a number of non conforming straps that are too thick and don’t allow the watch case to sit comfortably. Even when ‘moulding’ is attempted. These look good seem comfortable and conform nicely when broken in for a little while. Really useful thank you

The Uncle Seiko Jubilee is amazing on the exact same BB58 that I have. I love it and never looked back.

I have a 42mm Longines Spirit I picked up pre-owned. Apparently, the original owner maybe felt it was too big for him so he put it on a very light narrow Forstner bracelet. As you've noted probably the wrong tact and probably made the watch head even more unmanageable. But I can't complain, I got it, immediately put it back on it's original leather strap, it's sublime, and I got a killer deal on the watch!! 😊

I've been looking for something like the Artem sailcloth straps. Not sure I'll try the hybrid though. I've got a Breitling Avenger with a sailcloth strap that I love and these, from Artem, are almost identical in appearance. I'll probably buy one or two for my other watches. Thanks.

I love me some Bulang and Sons... gorgeous quality

Great info and insight on your experience with these. Hmm.. the new Artem hybrid straps seem like you should keep them on the watch and around a watch roll when not in use to maintain their "shape conditioning". Perhaps alternatively, while not on any watch, they should be stored tight enough in a cylindrical container so they at least are ready to wear and won't get the "vertical lift" when you do install them onto a watch to use.

Those beads of rice bracelets work really well on vintage 36mm and below watches like vintage omega seamasters, calatravas and such.

I liked the Forstner bracelet and found the quality excellent, but found the weight too little and taper too much for my 7.5” wrist on my Black Bay GMT.

1:48 thanks 🙏 you have saved me a bad buy I was going to put it on a Lunar Pilot… that would have been a mess

You gotta add Vanguard rubber. They really are phenomimal quality.

mark at LIA has great aligator and crocodile straps at good prices

The Forstners on your Omega and IWC make the watch heads look really out of proportion. But the ladder on the Meistersinger looks a perfect match.

Pete. Longish subscriber, first time commentator. I for one bought a sailcloth Artem strap based on your original review with a fair amount of input by Jayson at design artier…. The purchase was made 6 / 7 weeks ago. The bolstering on the both sides has still not conformed to my wrist…7 3/4” & on the join at 6 o’clock has bubbled….for those interested the strap is worn on a Farrer pointing. 39 mm & I wear it fairly tight…. The problem is the bolstering… 1/- elevates the watch & 2/- moves the case to the side of my wrist.. it will not sit flat at the top of my wrist… quality…. Yes recommend…. No. Because of the above & not to mention Australian buyers are hit with GST that’s not mentioned on there website they make a expensive product that if I could try at a store I probably wouldn’t have purchased…. I know you’re close to Artem, happy for you to pass this on…

A very helpful episode. I have a Tudor BB58 on a Forstner Model J Jubilee. The Forstner Jubilee is a high quality bracelet, and it pairs with the Tudor perfectly. It adds a vintage look and feel, with modern, solid construction. Cheers!

One more vote for Uncle bracelets. They are the best aftermarket, often better than the original bracelrt

Have you had any Strapcode Miltat bracelets ? They offer heavy and medium weights in mostly 20 - 22mm. They also have Rollball ( rally style) as well as Razor bracelets, including straight and curved end links.and many other styles. I'd love to hear your opinion on them! ❤

If you don't want to bother trying to mould your strap, go for vulcanized rubber from the start (two cents). Eg. Crafterblue

You can’t count uncle straps out as a contender. Especially when looking at their options for Tudor and Omega.

I’m pretty cheap so the most I pay for straps/bracelets is $10 lol

I guess the ladder bracelet is pretty breathable but that pressed clasp on the BOR is an eyesore. When I buy a third party bracelet I want something better!

Serious question, Pete...what's so good about a milled clasp? My watches with a pressed clasp always feel far more comfortable and fit flush against the wrist than the ones I have with a bulkier milled clasp.

At the risk of repeating myself, that Forstner ladder style bracelet is a phenomenal summer bracelet for a lighter watch (skin diver re-issue in my case). Those Artems still have my attention, and I just might have to go with the original sail cloth in green for my Speedy Pro, when I don’t have it on the Forstner version of the Speedmaster bracelet (which is also such a comfortable bracelet). Yes, I too spend way too much on straps and bracelets. But the alternative is often a new watch, which is wayyy more expensive, and kicks one out of the watch box. So, I’ll keep my attention to the accessories 😂

John Ruosseau straps are the best. Artem can’t compete with them

Yeah, I bought the legendary Forstner Bullet Strap, so disappointed with it, it's way too narrow, girlie in fact.

The vintage lighter styles that forstner do are hard to find these days but I think they're overcharging. They should not cost $100-140.

Great job.

I just can't bring myself to spend $200+ on a rubber strap that doesn't even come with a deployant clasp...

Bought a flat link vintage inspired Forstner for a Speedmaster 357050 in 2022. The look did nicely match my Speedy, but a cheap pressed clasp on a $160 steel bracelet ? Come on, you can buy Microbrand watches with better bracelets for $350 ! Forstner has benefited from the unconditional love from Fratello, good for them, but they don’t live up to the hype IMO.

I heard Forstner use to make Jubilees for Rolex!

A pressed clasp is shocking for what they charge. Vintage styling is one thing, but there are some things that should be left in the past.

Deleting polite comments suggesting that cheapest pressed clasp watch bands can be bought on some well known sites for 10% off the prices Forstner are having just shows that the reviewer is mostly a seller. Fortunately there are sites where we, watch enthusiasts communicate and such channels get deserved reviews which sooner or later shows on the view count.

Expensive straps are worth it for expensive watches. Don't spend more on the strap than you did on the watch

I have just received my Forstner "Model 0 Bracelet" for the Tudor BB. It's garbage. Rattly, tinny, sharp edges, horrible screw pins. Overpriced and not worth the money.

Don't listen to this guy, complete nonsense. Komfit was used by NASA for massive watches and works great (I have one). Same for their BoR and bonklip. If you watch this channel more you'll realize there's something super off about this guy and he's clearly got OCD or something even worse

I have an artem and cannot comprehend how something so expensive is so unbelievably uncomfortable. Cannot recommend their straps. Most of my watches stay on their original bracelets such as my GS, Tudor BB36 (also have an uncle straps jubilee which is fantastic) and my Omega Seamaster. I have found with higher quality brands come high quality bracelets so I never take them off. Sure, I’ll swap straps on my Seiko or orient divers but never my bigger brand watches.