Delugs delivers with a range of high-end rubber straps for the Tissot PRX

Borna Bošnjak

Fans of the best affordable integrated bracelet sports watch, rejoice! While possibly a bold claim, no other big box brand has managed to grasp the market quite as well as the Tissot PRX. Though successful, the Swatch Group brand has been pretty quiet with strap support for the PRX, despite its quick-release bracelet and the fact they produce leather options in both black and blue – something that will hopefully change in the near future. What Tissot doesn’t offer at all, however, is a rubbers strap for the PRX. This is where Delugs comes in. For the uninitiated, the Singapore-based brand was founded in 2018, and offers an enviably large range of leather and canvas straps. Strongly focusing on the wishes of collectors and enthusiasts, they manufacture custom straps for the likes of the VC Overseas and Cartier Santos, which no other third party maker supports. Their latest endeavour is to make rubber straps for the Tissot PRX, a first for Delugs and for the PRX.

The strap

 

Without getting too wordy, the final product is honestly nothing short of awesome. Delugs has gone through a lengthy, and expensive, process to create this strap, and their efforts are on show. The integration with the case is very well done, and I appreciate the choice of removing the single metal link that can be found on the Tissot OEM leather straps, as it makes for a more comfortable experience. The FKM rubber material is wonderfully supple, as one would expect considering the other high-end manufactures that use it, complete with grooves on the underside for better breathability.

 

There’s no shortage of colour options, either. Delugs currently offers the PRX straps in seven colours, all with the basket weave top side texture that pairs well with the Clous de Paris dials of the Powermatic 80-equipped models.

The use of fluoroelastomer (FKM) rubber combines the flexibility of silicone straps with the durability of rubber, while not attracting any dust like many silicone options. They’re also equipped with quick-release spring bars, so you can easily change between the PRX’s integrated bracelet and rubber strap options.

The process

 

If you’re sceptical about a high-end rubber strap on an entry-level watch, you’re not alone. Delugs themselves mocked the idea at the start, before realising the kind of impact the PRX had on the market. Realising the potential for a third-party strap option, Delugs got to work. The R&D process for leather straps is relatively simple and consists of creating one by one prototypes. Rubber straps, on the other hand, require expensive tooling, and by extension, a much higher up-front cost to ensure that the effort of going through the R&D process is viable.

 

Every detail was painstakingly mulled over. The thickness of strap ends couldn’t be too thick, as they would look at odds with the slim case, yet couldn’t be too thin as they would risk tearing. The quick-release spring bar had to be re-designed with two protrusions, as a single one would buckle the strap and make it difficult to fit. It took three prototypes to perfect the strap – you can read the entire saga on Delugs’ blog here.

Delugs Tissot PRX strap pricing and availability:

 

We’re excited to be offering Delugs’ Tissot PRX rubber straps, and you can expect them landing in the T+T shop soon. Price: $306 AUD