Guide
19mm & 21mm Watches: Straps for Odd Lug Widths
Most watches use even strap widths, so if yours is 19mm or 21mm the choice suddenly shrinks. Here's which watches in our index have odd lug widths and the realistic options for each.
Why odd sizes exist
Lug width is a design decision. Manufacturers choose whatever balances the case, so a 41mm watch might end up at 21mm because 20mm looked too thin and 22mm too heavy. It's great for proportions and annoying when you shop for straps, because many strap ranges only come in even sizes.
Odd lug widths in our index
- Grand Seiko SBGN003 GMT — 19mm · 19mm lugs. Many strap ranges skip this size, so check the width before you buy.
- Grand Seiko Elegance SBGW301 — 19mm · 19mm, per Grand Seiko's own specification.
- Rolex Submariner — 21mm · The 41mm Submariner (2020 on) is 21mm; earlier 40mm Submariners are 20mm.
- Rolex Datejust 41 — 21mm · 21mm — few straps are made in 21mm.
- Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 — 21mm · 21mm — few straps are made in 21mm.
- Rolex Explorer 36 — 19mm · 19mm — an odd size. Earlier Explorer references differ, so check yours.
- Rolex Explorer 40 — 21mm · 21mm: wider than the 19mm Explorer 36, so the two don't share straps.
- Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 43.5 — 21mm · 21mm — an uncommon size.
- Longines Spirit 40 — 21mm · 21mm on the 40mm (L3.810) references.
- Longines HydroConquest 41 — 21mm · 21mm on the 41mm (L3.781) references; check other case sizes separately.
- Nomos Tangente 38 — 19mm · 19mm, per NOMOS's own specification.
- Nomos Orion 38 — 19mm · 19mm, per NOMOS's own specification. Fewer straps come in this size than in 20mm.
- Tissot Gentleman — 21mm · 21mm — uncommon; check availability.
- Tissot Seastar 1000 — 21mm · 21mm on the 43mm Powermatic 80 (T120.407).
- Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80 — 19mm · 19mm — an odd size, so check strap listings carefully.
- Orient Bambino v2 — 21mm · 21mm — an awkward size to shop for.
Some of these models come in several case sizes with different lug widths, so check your exact reference on its page before buying.
Option 1: buy the exact size (best)
Specialist strap makers and the watch brands themselves sell 19mm and 21mm straps, especially in leather and rubber. When shopping, check that the listed width is the lug end and not the buckle end. A “21/18mm” strap is 21mm at the lugs and fits; an “18mm” strap described as fitting 21mm watches does not.
Option 2: go half a size down (usually fine)
A 20mm strap on 21mm lugs leaves about half a millimetre each side. On NATOs, perlon and rubber that's hardly visible. On leather or fitted-end straps you'll notice it. It's a common compromise and doesn't stress anything.
Option 3: never go up
Don't squeeze a 22mm strap between 21mm lugs. It bunches, looks wrong, wears the strap edges and presses on the spring bar tips. It's a common reason bars let go.
Option 4: made to measure
Many independent leather makers will cut any width. If you want a perfect fit on a dress watch, it's often the best-looking result for the money.
Spring bars for odd widths
Use bars that match your lug width: a 21mm watch takes 21mm spring bars. Our spring bar guide covers diameters.