I am enamored with the Delugs Cut to Size (henceforth CTS) rubber strap. Period. End. This new offering from the Singapore-based strap company fills a hole that has existed in my strap collection for years. I've been searching fruitlessly for a slim, rubber, deployant rubber strap - preferably without that sickening vanilla smell. The closest I've come was the Bonetto Cinturini version. Unfortunately, that one attracts dust like a Hoover and smells like an ice cream parlor, though not in a pleasant way. Enter the Delugs CTS. This strap is certainly not without controversy. In the days following its release, my Instagram feed was inundated with watch accounts doting on it. It's unclear whether or not these posters were compensated, but it did leave a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. Ultimately, I decided, influencers be damned, I had to have one.
My first experience with Delugs came from a taupe Epsom aftermarket strap that came fitted to a Grand Seiko SBGW231. Prior to this, I had heard great things about the brand. I would frequently explore the website, adding straps to my cart. Until now, I have not yet pulled the trigger on one of their straps. I was immediately struck by the bright orange one. Rubber straps are meant to be fun, after all. That said, I selected the almost OD green version that flies more under the radar.
It's surprising how quickly this strap arrived. I've waited longer for packages from the same ZIP code. This arrived in 2 days door-to-door from Singapore to Florida. It came packaged in a slim silicone bag with minimal branding. Cutting to size caused some anxiety. Thankfully, the guide on Delugs' website provided clear instructions.
I first mounted the CTS on my Explorer II. (Of note, I did replace the quick release spring bars with OEM Rolex spring bars for greater security.) This arrangement is quite pleasing. It's certainly less blingy than the bracelet, but still elegant. The matte, slightly textured appearance adds just enough visual intrigue; However, I can't help but think a small ridge or other more pronounced texture wouldn't take it up a notch. Something like the Aquanaut or an Omega rubber strap could serve as inspiration.
It only took four paragraphs to get to the most compelling "feature," the on-wrist comfort. Bracelets don't have any give. Leather straps don't handle water well. Even a grey NATO can get scratchy at times. This strap rebuffs any of the aforementioned challenges. The soft FKM rubber repels water (duh) and provides the slightest amount of give to compensate for wrist swelling. Before this, I've never met a deployant clasp that I could tolerate for more than a day. The CTS, with its RM-esque leaf-spring deployant is sturdy and goes nearly unnoticed on wrist. The length of the inner clasp allows it to sit centered, despite being sized one segment too long. When my wrist expands due to heat, it retains that perfect fit. Not many deployants can do that.
At $145 before shipping, this is the most expensive strap I've ever purchased. To be fair, it is more-or-less peerless. The nearest comps are Everest ($220) or Rubber B ($220) with the OEM clasp. These are both decidedly more sporty options, and significantly more expensive. They are also watch specific. The Delugs, with its straight ends, masquerades as a somewhat dressier option. The vintage look of a Joseph Bonnie Tropic strap (€58) is also compelling. I have a couple of those as well. Great straps in their own right, but IMO a bit less versatile. Lastly, one could consider a Hirsch Pure ($88). My Halios Seaforth came with one in black. It's perhaps the most similar to the Delugs, but comes with a bulkier tang and is minimally tapered, with a squared end. If I'm missing an alternative, don't hesitate to reach out!
