I need a watch on an armband

[Danoff]

I need a watch for skiing. I'd like it to have a big velcro or elastic strap that can go on easily outside of a ski jacket preferably high enough up the arm to avoid the gloves. I've searched and I don't see anything like it. I'm starting to consider buying a watch and replacing the band, but I figure that will be a headache.

Thoughts? Do you know of a product like this? Have you replaced a watch strap in a similar fashion?

Thanks.

 

[TB]

If anyone can point you in the right direction it's @Mike Rotch.

 

[Coxis]

If anyone can point you in the right direction it's @Mike Rotch.

I know it's a legitimate post, but the thread context combined with your post and Mike's name is just... wrong.

 

[TB]

I know it's a legitimate post, but the thread context combined with your post and Mike's name is just... wrong.

I had the same thought while I was clicking Post Reply.

 

[Mike Rotch]

I need a watch for skiing. I'd like it to have a big velcro or elastic strap that can go on easily outside of a ski jacket preferably high enough up the arm to avoid the gloves. I've searched and I don't see anything like it. I'm starting to consider buying a watch and replacing the band, but I figure that will be a headache.

Thoughts? Do you know of a product like this? Have you replaced a watch strap in a similar fashion?

Thanks.

You mean like Buzz Aldrin's Speedmaster

What do you want out of the watch (forget the strap for the moment)? Just something to tell the time? Digital or analog? Quartz or Mechanical? What is your budget?

The strap is the easy part - fit an aftermarket velcro or NATO off ebay.

My arbitrary recommendation is to put a Marathon J-SAR on a NATO/ ZULU strap as such (Marathon is the supplier of watches to the US Coast Guard and Marine Corps:

Also, it's ok to point at Mike Rotch....just don't touch.

 

[Danoff]

@Mike Rotch

Yes! The watch over the spacesuit is pretty much what I'm going for.

In order of priority:

1) Time
2) Time
3) Temperature
4) Altitude

Small and cheap is good too.

 

[Mike Rotch]

If you are looking or something hardy, with a thermometer and altitude, there is only one answer: Casio G-Shock with an after-market NATO or velcro strap off ebay.

That said, I have read experiences where the G-Shock thermometers struggle to cope with anything less than ~40F, which I am guessing will be the case if you are skiing.

The other option is Suunto, who also do thermo watches, but they are typically a bit pricier ($200 range) whereas the G-Shocks you'd be looking at (GDF100) are low $100's.

 

[Danoff]

If you are looking or something hardy, with a thermometer and altitude, there is only one answer: Casio G-Shock with an after-market NATO or velcro strap off ebay.

That said, I have read experiences where the G-Shock thermometers struggle to cope with anything less than ~40F, which I am guessing will be the case if you are skiing.

The other option is Suunto, who also do thermo watches, but they are typically a bit pricier ($200 range) whereas the G-Shocks you'd be looking at (GDF100) are low $100's.

Interesting. I was hoping for cheaper than that. Does ditching altitude help with the price?

 

[Danoff]

@Mike Rotch

So if I got this one:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RT7P76/?tag=gtplanet-20

Do I basically need any band with a 28mm width to fit it? I'm a total watch noob, I haven't used one in about 13 years.

 

[Mike Rotch]

@Mike Rotch

So if I got this one:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RT7P76/?tag=gtplanet-20

Do I basically need any band with a 28mm width to fit it? I'm a total watch noob, I haven't used one in about 13 years.

28mm is on the extreme side of width and having a look at the images confirms my suspicions. I hate it when watch manufacturers do this but it looks like this G-Shock as been designed to accept OEM straps only. In the image below, "A" is the 28mm part, but "B" is the moulding that would prevent a regular strap from being fitted:

However, you can get strap adaptors for this one that look like and do this:

E.g. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Casio-G-Sho...81?pt=US_Watch_Bands&var=&hash=item417d3f7a8d

You'd have to check if the Frogman strap fits the GDF-100 but I think all G-Shocks have the same lug width.

 

[Danoff]

@Mike Rotch

So I got a Casio SGW-300H for Christmas. I'm going skiing with it tomorrow, but I think it'll be too much of a pain to get on outside of my ski jacket. I've been searching for straps for it and am completely lost. I wouldn't mind having an elastic strap - almost like one of those livestrong bracelets that I could just pull on quickly. Velcro would be good too. Any ideas? I think it's a 19mm fitting based on what I found online.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Unfortunately as the strap is semi-integrated with the case (were it connects to the case is narrower than the widest part of the strap) your options are limited.

Your best bet is to get either a longer OEM strap like this, or get a narrow 19mm NATO, or a NATO and adaptor to fit a wider strap, more like the original width:

 

[Danoff]

@Mike Rotch

This website says their strap fits the watch model (though it's not what I'm looking for). It says that it's 26mm at the shoulders and 16mm at the fitting. I took my gauge to the watch and as best I can tell there is 17mm to work with at the fitting and my strap has 26mm shoulders. So I agree that their strap should fit.

So I guess I should be looking for anything with a fitting under 17mm to fit? The nato seems like a good option except that you still need to clasp it. I'd really like to avoid a clasp.

Edit:

I ordered at 16mm fitting velcro watch band from tech swiss. We'll see if it fits!

 

[Danoff]

Yup, it fits. Works well, could be a little longer, but I can get it on.