Let your personal style shine! Stührling Original's Manchester Ozzie Set-of-Three Interchangeable Rubber Straps features bright and bold colors in orange, purple and red. All straps fit up to approximately a 6-1/2" wrist. The straps attach comfortably with buckle clasps which come in your choice of gold-tone, rose-tone or silver-tone.
ATM: Measures water resistance; Stands for "atmospheres" or the amount of pressure a watch can withstand before leaking; One atmosphere is equal to 10 meters of water pressure.
Bezel: Retaining ring topping the case and securing the crystal; Sometimes incorporates unidirectional or ratcheting movements, engraved or printed chapter markers, or complications such as a tachymeter.
Chronograph: Functioning similarly to a stopwatch, a chronograph is a unique and valued complication due to its ability to measure increments of elapsed time while the watch still maintains traditional timekeeping abilities. The crown controls the analog watch while function pushers allow you to start, stop and reset the chronograph subdials.
Chronometer: High-precision timepiece that has been tested and is certified to meet precision standards; Chronometer watches often come with certificates indicating their certified status.
Complication: Any feature added to the timepiece that does not indicate hours, minutes or seconds.
COSC Certified Chronometer: Refers to timepieces that have been christened with the title of chronometer. To become a chronometer, timepieces have to pass a test conducted by the Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometers (COSC), roughly translating to Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute. COSC is a prestigious Swiss government agency that certifies the accuracy and precision of timepieces in Switzerland.
Crown: Part that allows you to manipulate the watch movement for a variety of purposes such as setting the hands, changing the date, winding the mainspring, etc.
Crystal: Transparent cover on a watch face that gives view of the dial.
Deployant: Type of clasp that keeps the closing mechanism hidden, creating an uninterrupted look for your bracelet or strap.
Exhibition Case Back: Unique complication wherein a crystal window is implemented into the back of a watch case, allowing view of the timepiece's movement.
Function Pushers: Manual controls on a case for when a movement features complications that require increased manipulation.
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT): Also referred to as Greenwich Meridian Time, the Greenwich Meridian Line is located at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England. It is the place from where all time zones are measured. Greenwich Mean Time is the average time that Earth takes to rotate from noon to noon. In this regard, GMT is thought of as "the world's time" and was once the basis with which every other zone set time.
Guilloche: Style of engraving that features wavy or straight lines, giving a unique effect when the timepiece is moved or shifted.
Ionic Plating: Process that produces a hardened surface that is durable and scratch-resistant; Has a black flat "stealth" finish.
Jewels: Within a movement, metal on metal contact creates wear and tear. Watchmakers use jewel bearings to reduce friction and help the delicate parts of the movement work smoothly and with great precision. Jewels help extend the movement's life. Diamonds, sapphires, rubies and garnets are the preferred materials. As a general rule, a higher number of jewels suggests a more prestigious movement.
Lugs: North and south ends of the case that attach to the strap or bracelet and often extend out from the dominant lines of the case.
Moon Phase: The lunar cycle has been a cornerstone of horology, the study of measuring time, since ancient days. Moon Phase is a complication on a timepiece that displays the various stages of the moon cycles from waxing to waning. It appears as a dial visible through an aperture which reveals the current moon phase.
Movement: Assembly making up the principal elements and mechanisms of a watch or clock; Includes the winding and setting mechanism, the mainspring, the train, the escapement and the regulating elements.
Power Reserve: Time a watch will continue running based on the movement's residual winding of its mainspring; In quartz and digital watches, this can also refer to the amount of energy left in the battery.
Push Button Dual Deployant: Similar to deployant and considered one of the most desirable and easy-to-use clasps, the push button dual deployant employs two small hidden push buttons that release the bracelet. This clasp keeps the closing mechanism hidden for an uninterrupted, seamless finish.
Retrograde: Hour, minute, second or calendar hand that moves across a scale and resets to zero at the end of its cycle.
Skeletonization: Reveals the intricate symphony of moving rotors, gears and springs which power a timepiece; The open design offers an insider's view, as unnecessary metal is cut away to allow the wearer to actually see the movement's skeleton.
Swiss Made: Since the 16th century, Switzerland has been the epicenter of watch making, producing some of the industry's greatest technological advances. The Swiss put a law into effect for all timepieces baring the words "Swiss Made": First, the movement must be assembled in Switzerland. Secondly, the movement must be cased up in Switzerland. Finally, the manufacturer must carry out the timepiece's final inspection in Switzerland.
Tachymeter: Scale on a watch used to determine units per hour, such as average speed over a fixed distance, or distance based on speed; Typically located along the outer rim of a dial.
Tritium: Self-powered illumination! Miniature tubes containing gaseous Tritium and layered with phosphor to power the luminous accents which can be seen for several meters in darkness.
Tritnite: Illumination requires no electrical power but must be "charged" by holding your watch close to any light source. The longer you hold it there, the longer and brighter you'll see the Tritnite.
Unidirectional Rotating Bezel: Used for tracking elapsed time. A ratchet mechanism prevents the bezel from rotating backwards. This feature is popular with divers, who rely on the elapsed time feature to prevent the diver from running out of air. The fact that the bezel cannot rotate backwards prevents the wearer from underestimating the elapsed time.About Rubber:
Originally harvested by the Aztecs and Mayans thousands of years ago, natural rubber comes from the sap of wild rubber trees native to Central and South America. It is collected manually by tapping, or cutting into their bark, to free the white sap known as latex. The latex is then shipped to factories where machines make it into everyday products. Highly valued for being waterproof, polyurethane rubber is an exceptionally strong form that conveniently absorbs color. It withstands abrasive environmental forces and is UV resistant, thus making it ideal for watches that will see a variety of surroundings.
Strap Sizes:
Alligator Straps:
Alligator is the crème de la crème hide of the crocodilian species. Found in southern parts of the United States and in areas of China, alligators have a hide that is supple, durable and typically softer than crocodile. While its top hide is extremely tough and virtually impenetrable, the alligator's belly offers softer, pliable leather. It is easily recognized for its unique scaled texture and elegant feel. Alligators have scales that are relatively flat with a few wrinkles around the edge. If you see many lines or dots in the scales, or notice a drastic change in the adjacency of scales, you are probably looking at caiman hide, a crocodilian counterpart. Every alligator skin is different which means that no two leathers will ever be identical. Alligator leather is often dyed and easily cleaned with a damp washcloth.
Crocodile Straps:
Crocodiles possess a sensory organ on each of their scales that allows them to live in both fresh and salt water. This sensory receptor explains why their hides display a small dot on each scale and allows us to decipher them from alligators. Crocodile hide is also notably lighter in color than its alligator counterpart. Today, crocodiles are bred and harvested for both their skin and meat, so little goes to waste. Their hide is waterproof, easy to clean and holds its gloss beautifully over time.
Leather Straps:
Commonly acquired from cattle, leather is animal skin that is typically a byproduct of the nation's meat industry. Animals such as bison, deer, elk, moose, pigs, goats, rabbits, sheep and caribou can also be used. Once the skin is removed from the animal, it is quickly preserved in salt. It is then cleaned, put into a chilling machine to lower the hide's temperature, and tanned to prevent deterioration. Upon completion of this process, the leather is ready to be made into retail items. Leather goods are strong, flexible, supple and long lasting.
Lizard Straps:
Lizard skin is comprised of small, glossy scales in a variety of colors. It is durable and will remain so if treated properly. To keep your lizard skin looking its best, you should first determine which direction the scales move. When running your hands over the scales, it should feel smooth. Be careful to avoid running them in the opposite direction, as you'll give them an unattractive, flaking quality. For this reason, when applying conditioners, do so with the grain of the scales. Lizard hide is tough by nature and it will remain in good condition for many years with minimal maintenance.
Ostrich Straps:
Redeemed for its exceptionally supple, slightly oily coat, premium ostrich leather is a true luxury. Its distinct appearance comes from thick quill pattern that covers half its body. Because the tanning process is so tedious and difficult, it requires great patience to cure a flawless ostrich hide. The ideal texture is smooth, soft, consistent in thickness and free from holes. Even color and finish are important indications of a good hide. Generally farm raised in places like South Africa, ostrich skin uniquely gets softer as time passes. Durable, resilient, pliable, breathable and yet naturally waterproof, ostrich hide upholds an opulent, exotic appearance and is an increasingly desirable leather used in high-end fashion houses.
Rubber Straps:
Originally harvested by the Aztecs and Mayans thousands of years ago, natural rubber comes from the sap of wild rubber trees native to Central and South America. It is collected manually by tapping, or cutting into their bark, to free the white sap known as latex. The latex is then shipped to factories where machines make it into everyday products. Highly valued for being waterproof, polyurethane rubber is an exceptionally strong form that conveniently absorbs color. It withstands abrasive environmental forces and is UV resistant, thus making it ideal for watches that will see a variety of surroundings.
Sharkskin Leather Straps:
Distinguished by its distinct texture and durability, sharkskin leather is usually dyed to highlight the round, closely-set pattern of textured scales. Each leather is completely unique with variations resulting from the age, species and size of the shark. As one of the strongest yet flexible leathers known to man, it is perfect for everyday items that experience continuous wear and tear.
Snakeskin Straps:
Whether anaconda, cobra, sea snake or python, snakeskin is all the rage when it comes to accessories. Due to the vast variety used, their unique textures and patterns vary greatly. Snakes have more visible scales than lizards. Their scales are comprised of keratin, just like human fingernails, and protect the skin, prevent water loss and enable the snake to move fluidly. When touching or treating snakeskin goods, be sure to run your hands in the direction of the scale's grain to prevent flaking.
Stingray Straps:
Stingray skin is amazingly durable and easily resists fire, water, puncturing and ripping. Centuries ago, the stingray was thought to possess great strength and its power was believed to be transmitted to anyone who touched it. Thus, Egyptian artisans created armor and other goods from the skin. Elite Japanese Samurai warriors even used durable stingray leather for the handles of their swords. A genuine stingray hide is extremely durable, shines in the light, and has a rough, yet glistening bead texture.