The Regatta sailcloth strap for dive watches, 18 to 22 mm

A sailcloth strap for dive watches

The Regatta is a two-piece strap with a sailcloth face, a smooth lining and stitched edges. It is built fuller than a flat fabric strap, about 0.09 to 0.16 in (2.2 to 4 mm) thick, so it balances the height of a dive case instead of looking thin next to it. A steel pin buckle and quick-release spring bars finish it off, and the whole strap weighs about 0.55 oz (15.6 g).

Dive watches are made for water, and leather is not. Sailcloth copes with sweat, rain and the odd swim far better, dries quickly and doesn't crack or darken after a wet summer. It keeps the sporty look of a dive watch and wears far lighter than a steel bracelet.

The Regatta also works as a second strap for a dive watch that usually lives on its steel bracelet. Keep the bracelet for the office and switch to sailcloth for the beach, the boat or the weekend. With the quick-release bars, the swap takes a minute and no tools.

Widths, colors and length

Order the width that matches the gap between your watch's lugs: 18, 19, 20, 21 or 22 mm. Many dive watches take 20 or 22 mm, and some take 21 mm, a size plenty of shops skip. A strap one size narrower leaves a gap at each side and twists on the wrist, and one size wider won't sit flat between the lugs. Measure the gap with a ruler, check the back of your current strap, or find your watch in the lug width chart on our watch bands page.

There are eight colors. Black, Navy, Gray, Beige and Green have tonal stitching that matches the strap, for a clean look that lets the dial do the talking. Black/White, Navy/White and Black/Gray pair a dark strap with light stitching, which traces the outline and looks sportier. Not every color is made in every width, so choose your width first and the color picker shows what is available in it.

Both pieces come at a standard length: the long piece is about 4.9 in (125 mm) and the buckle piece about 3 in (75 mm), a touch longer than the Standard length in our fit guide, which suits wrists of about 6.3 to 7.9 in (16 to 20 cm). The strap narrows toward the buckle; the 20 mm strap takes an 18 mm buckle. To check the fit, measure both pieces of a strap that fits you well and compare. Our fit guide walks through measuring your lug width and wrist.

The Regatta fits watches with standard straight lugs and spring bars. It won't fit a watch with an integrated bracelet or a smartwatch that uses its own connectors.

Fitting and care after the water

The quick-release spring bars come fitted to both pieces. Pull the small lever on a bar, set the bar between the lugs and let go, then give the strap a gentle tug to check that both ends have clicked in. Work over a soft cloth so a slip doesn't mark the case or bezel. If your current strap or bracelet uses plain spring bars without levers, you need a spring bar tool once to take it off.

After the sea or the pool, rinse the strap in fresh water to wash out salt and chlorine, press it dry with a towel and let it dry flat, away from direct heat. For everyday dirt, a damp cloth and a drop of mild soap are enough. A strap never changes the water resistance of the watch, so follow the rating on your case before you swim. If you swim or dive every day, a silicone or rubber band is the better choice; sailcloth is at its best with the odd swim.

Delivery and returns

Delivery is $6.95, or free on orders over $49. The delivery time for your country shows on each product page and at checkout.

You can return an unworn band in its original packaging within 30 days of delivery. Return shipping is paid by you, unless the item arrived faulty or incorrect. Everything else about shipping and sending a band back is on our delivery and returns page.