Some will argue this, but the NATO strap is going to stick around for some time. For one thing, having strap or bracelet options for timepiece keeps your look refreshed as often (or not) as you need it to work for you. I’ve moved back onto a rubber strap for my Breitling, but who knows how quickly I’ll get bored with that shit too. The NATO strap in the original nylon take is a proper summer addition and in today’s world, you can choose between countless color options. We recommend sticking with the solids, though.

For those looking to get a little dirty and break in some leather, consider the DaLuca Leather straps, available in solid colors of blue, green, and Horween leather browns. You’ll pay a bit for them as they range from $145 – $175 (Horween raises the price as does the PVD blasted hardware options). Wear what you like. It is your watch at the end of the day. (gq)

More looks in our gallery…

Chunky watch offering via Casio G-Shock’spremium Aviator series.

Tested to withstand 12Gs should you ever find yourself in that situation, they’re modelled on aircraft control panels and built to last. “Special luminescent qualities in the neo bright paint produce a long lasting glow in dark conditions,”  so you’ll never be without the time, day or night. Shock resistant 5 motor chronograph for reliable time keeping. Forge molded metal and rubber case and shock resitant hands. This is the kind of watch for those who treat their accessories mean. Available through various retailers, boutiques, and online.

Click for images.

BRAUN keep on reissuing those clean and simple goods including watches. This BRAUN Chronograph uses that white, steel and black combo to great effect. Water resistant to 50m, stainless steel case, quartz chronograph and scratch resistant mineral glass.

“Braun’s decision to re-issue its collection, including some of the LCD watches from the 1970s, met with the approval of Dietrich Lubs, co-designer with Dieter Rams. Lubs credits the watches’ independent and functionally-oriented designs for the continued relevance of the Braun timepiece collection, about thirty years after its initial introduction.”

Available from Vetted and Amazon. For those that prefer, there is a black version of the BRAUN Chronograph.

Click for images.

Ben Clymer of Hodinkee gives us a roundup of the ultra-high end, high priced timepieces shown at this month’s SIHH show; many of which are of complications that are stunningly expensive.

I spent last week in Geneva at the Salon International De La Haute Horlogerie (SIHH). The SIHH is unlike BaselWorld because it’s held exclusively for brands owned by or associated with the Richemont group, a luxury conglomerate that owns the likes of Cartier, Vacheron Constantin, Panerai, and a few other high-end manufacturers. The trade show is unlike any other in the world – in fact, in any industry. It is very exclusive – only press and select retailers are allowed within its halls and the level of watchmaking displayed is unrivaled.

Expectations are always high for SIHH, but this year presented some truly exceptional timepieces at the high-end. Here are some of my favorite pieces, all of which really push the boundaries of traditional watchmaking…for a price, of course.

See more from SIHH after the jump.

This watch from Botta was designed with classic BRAUN goods in mind. That’s probably why we like.  ”An artificial horizon divides the 24-hour ring into a day half and a night half, showing clearly how far the day has progressed.” A handy little feature allowing you to keep track of the passing hours in another country of your choice. To be honest though, we’re coveting this on a looks basis, a handsome, handsome watch. (acquire).

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We won’t go on too much about Audemars Piguet, suffice to say this 130 year old Swiss watchmaker know their way around a timepiece.  This ‘Jumbo’ Royal Oak celebrates 40 years of the classic model, often said to be the first stainless steel luxury sports watch. Also available in rose gold, this heavy duty watch is an incredible piece of design.

Audemars describe; A disruptive and downright revolutionary timepiece, the Royal Oak is immediately recognizable thanks to its state-of-the-art engineered strongbox case, octagonal bezel secured by eight hexagonal screws, visible water resistance gaskets, dials adorned with exclusive engine-turned “Grande Tapisserie” motif.” Read on at Perpetuelle.

Click for images.

We return to the Hermès Arceau collection. Two additional models, these feature the rare technique  of straw ‘Marquetry’, the application of strips of veneer to form patterns. It’s an ancient art so don’t go trying it at home. French rye Straw is taken through a series of processes with incredible precision by folk who’ve been practising for years. The result are these patterns, representing two classic Hermès tie designs.

A lot of work has gone into these so if you grab yourself one don’t forget to give a shout out to the artisans that nearly lost a finger to create your fine timepiece. More at Perpetuelle

A banger from IWC, showing at SIHH this week. The Top Gun Miramar Pilot Watch comes encased in dark grey ceramic at 48mm and strapped in green. The images tell the rest of the story. This is IWC, so expect quality. Our brothers at Snob were all over this one.

View more looks in our gallery…

A bit of innovative watch action courtesy of knstrct. British born, Hong-Kong based designer Michael Young has worked on a variety of furniture, transport and hi-tech projects and is a favourite of Mr Terence Conran, a man who knows a thing or two about design. The Hacker features a concave face and dial design, all housed in a stainless case with a choice of  polyurethane straps. Find it at Dezeen.

Hodinkee turns us onto a new special edition Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso which takes the classic watch first introduced in 1931 and gives it a 2012 step-back look in honor of the television series, “Mad Men.” The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Ultra-Thin Tribute To “Mad Men” has a run of 25 units and features the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce logo hand-engraved on the caseback. A nice throwback in line with the number of cocktails and smokes the series’ characters throw back on the daily.

More looks after the click.