Two Years, One Watch Strap: Everest Universal Rubber

Two years ago, I had just begun writing for the Everest Journal. At the time, I hadn’t tried many aftermarket straps–certainly nothing as premium as Everest. When the kind folks in St. Louis caught wind that their newest freelancer hadn’t tried their product, they promptly sent me a Universal Rubber Strap (20mm).

Like I said, I wasn’t well-versed in watch straps at the time. When I received my Universal Rubber in the mail, I didn’t really understand what I was receiving, what set it apart from similar products, and why it cost more than a seemingly-similar $20 strap from eBay. That would soon change . . .

During my two years (thus far) with this strap, I’ve had the chance to try many others. For instance, last year we compared five different rubber straps at various price points. This hands-on experiment showed me how fundamentally similar straps may differ . . . and boy do they ever.

As I tried more watch straps over the years, I learned more about my Everest Universal Rubber. I began to realize what made it stand out, why I continued to reach for it over others, and why its price was justified. I took it all over the world with me: multiple times to Switzerland, countless times swimming in the Pacific Ocean, camping, hiking, road tripping –you name it. 

I’ve boiled down what I love about this strap to just three characteristics. I’ll go over each before sharing my final thoughts.

Disclosure: In case none of that was clear, I received this strap for free and work for the company who makes it. I am obviously biased. That said, I am intimately familiar with this product and aim to provide a comprehensive picture for you, the reader.

Materials

Materials are the name of the game here. Most rubber straps wouldn’t last long enough to write this type of two-year recap. Everest’s commitment to using the highest-quality materials is evident–this thing looks and feels the same as it did on day one.

FKM vulcanized rubber is the material of choice for high-end rubber straps. It’s strong, waterproof, hypoallergenic, and soft/pliable without being a dust magnet. The Everest Universal Rubber Strap uses FKM vulcanized rubber for the entire strap and keepers.

When it comes to hardware, Everest uses 316L stainless steel. The buckle is a solid piece of steel, complimenting the weight and feel of the watch it’s securing. Speaking of which, if you’re looking to install this strap on a gold or black watch, you can optionally add a gold or black PVD buckle; it will ship with the standard silver-tone steel buckle included.

The included spring bars are also made of stainless steel (304, if you’re interested), but that’s hardly the most exciting thing about them . . .

Quick Release Spring Bars

The Everest Universal Rubber Strap features quick-release spring bars. As someone who changes straps far too often, quick-release spring bars are a godsend. The small protrusion on the back makes it easy to install/remove a strap with just your fingernail. They’re particularly useful on straps like the Universal Rubber that are compatible with a wide array of watches. You can swap in and out of it in less than 10 seconds.

We don’t recommend changing the spring bars on this strap as the quick-release protrusion could make it difficult, increasing your risk of damaging the strap (not covered by our warranty). That said, I’ve seen people do it, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. If you’re interested in why/when you should replace your watch’s spring bars, I wrote an article on the topic a couple months back. 

Curved-End Design

The Universal Rubber Strap has a curved-end design. While it doesn’t integrate with the case and lugs of a specific reference (like Everest’s other straps), it curves enough to cut down on the unsightly gap between the strap and your watch’s case. This curve isn’t just visible when the watch is laid flat: as the strap rotates on the axis of the spring bars (like when you strap it onto your wrist), the end maintains its curved appearance. This is one of the coolest things about this strap to me–I haven’t come across anything similar.

My Thoughts After Two Years With This Strap

In case you couldn't tell, I quite like my Universal Rubber Strap. It's a staple in my collection and there's not a week that goes by where I don't wear it at some point. It primarily lives on my Seiko SKX013; I love the look of rubber on a dive watch (don't we all), but I also regularly throw it on my Hamilton Khaki Field (a configuration I've worn to many watch trade show)s and other 20mm watches in the collection.

I'm genuinely impressed with the longevity of this strap. Two years in, I see no signs of aging (other than a little dirt that can easily be washed off): no fading, stretching, microtearing –nothing. This is a prime example of "you get what you pay for." You can buy a Universal Rubber Strap today and not worry about it for years, or you can go the cheaper route and end up looking for a replacement months in.

If you're interested in the Everest Universal Rubber Strap, click here. If you own one, let us know how long you've had it in the comments below. I'd love to hear other people's thoughts on this product.