How to Choose Your Elastic Loop Strap Size

There is a particular kind of comfort that only an elastic loop strap delivers. No pins to fumble with, no clasp to adjust — you simply slip it on, and it hugs your wrist all day. But that effortless feel depends entirely on one thing: getting the size right. Too loose and the watch slides; too tight and it never quite relaxes. Here is how to choose your elastic loop size with confidence.

At Artisan Watch Co., we help collectors across the UAE find straps that fit like they were made to measure. An elastic loop is no exception — it just takes two simple numbers.

Number one: your lug width

Every strap has to match the gap between your watch's lugs, measured in millimetres. This is the lug width, and it is the first number to get right. Most sports watches sit at 20mm, but yours may differ, so it is always worth measuring. If you are not sure how, our guide on how to measure your watch's lug width walks you through it, and our Find Your Fit page makes it effortless.

Number two: your wrist size

Because an elastic loop has no buckle holes, it is sized to your wrist rather than adjusted on the fly. To measure, wrap a soft tape measure — or a strip of paper you can mark and measure against a ruler — snugly around your wrist just above the wrist bone, where you would normally wear your watch. Note the measurement in centimetres.

As a rough guide, wrists around 14–16cm suit a smaller size, 16–18cm sit in the middle, and 18cm and above call for a larger size. Because the material stretches, you want the strap to sit comfortably firm at rest so it stays put through the day without pinching.

A few tips for the perfect fit

Measure at the end of the day, when your wrist is at its largest, so the strap never feels tight in the evening. If you are between sizes, size down slightly — elastic gives a little, and a touch of firmness keeps the watch centred. And remember that a well-chosen elastic loop should require no fuss at all: on in a second, comfortable for hours.

Ready to find yours

Once you have your lug width and wrist measurement, browse our elastic loop straps to choose a colour and size that suits you. Each one is made to bring lightweight, all-day comfort to your watch — whether it is a weekend Rolex or an everyday piece.

Still unsure which size is right? Let our Find Your Fit tool point you to the perfect match in under a minute.