Why is the Hirsch Duke our most Popular Watch Strap?
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Time to read 11 min
Introduction
The Hirsch Duke Alligator-Embossed Leather watch strap has been one of our most popular and highly rated watch straps for several years. Getting 5 star reviews with comments like; "The strap is just perfect." and "Superb alternative to alligator skin, and frankly indistinguishable from the ‘real thing’."
But what makes the Duke so popular? Why should you consider one for your timepiece? And what alternatives are there if the Duke isn't for you? We answer these questions, and many more right here!
Read on to find out for yourself.
Table of Content
Introduction What is the Hirsch Duke? Will The Duke Fit Your Watch? Quick Release Spring Bars Standard Spring Bars Open Ended Straps What is Embossed Leather? So Why is it so Popular? Five Alternatives to the Hirsch Duke: RIOS1931 Orlando Hirsch Grand Duke RIOS1931 Louisiana Hirsch London RIOS1931 Monarch Morellato Bolle Conclusion Related Readings
What is the Hirsch Duke?
The Hirsch Duke Alligator-Embossed Watch strap is a high quality calfskin strap made by the world renowned brand Hirsch. WatchObsession is proud to call itself one of the leading UK Hirsch watch strap stockists. With years of experience selling their straps and accessories, we are one of their most knowledgeable retail partners in the UK. The Duke watch strap is one of their leading styles, available in an extensive number of colours and various fitting styles to fit most watches.
The Duke is made from genuine Italian calfskin leather, with Hirsch's popular softglove leather lining, it features a refined alligator-style embossing on it's upper, a simple pin-buckle as standard and two leather keepers, also alligator embossed to give a complete and refined look. As well as the Hirsch H-Standard Buckle available in either gold of silver that comes with every Hirsch Duke strap, there is also the option to upgrade the strap to a Hirsch Deployment Clasp, again, available in either gold or silver.
Will The Duke Fit Your Watch?
If your watch has standards lugs:
Standard watch lugs, also known as straight lugs, are the most common lug style for a watch, and knowing whether a Duke will fit them is as easy as measuring the distance between the lugs and using that measurement as the strap size you need.
The Duke is available in a wide range of lug widths, from 12mm to 28mm. If your lugs fall within this range, we have a Duke that will fit.
To find out more on how to measure your watch read our blog "What Size Watch Strap Should I Get?" by clicking here.
Straight lugs also have their own sub-categories, such as fixed-bar, hooded and notched, the Duke will fit most of these styles as long as you choose the right one.
The Duke comes in a few different fitting methods to fit a variety of bar style and preference, all with their own advantages and disadvantages. To find out which one you need for your watch, read on to learn more about the different fitting styles the Duke is available in.
*If your watch does not have straight lugs, please contact us and we can advise if the Duke is right for you.
"It was my first experience and I am so glad I purchased this beautiful and high quality product." ★★★★★
Quick-Release Spring Bars for Strap Changes on the Fly.
Quick-Release Spring Bars (also known as QR) are pre-fitted spring bars used in almost all Hirsch watch straps, and the Duke is no exception. They differ from standard spring-bars in that they have a small pin on the underside of the strap, this pin is used to compress the spring-bar by hand when fitting and removing. this is done with ease and does not require any tools.
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"The Duke transforms the already nice-looking watch into a thing of class and beauty."
Standard Spring Bars to keep it Classic.
Standard Spring Bars (also known as non-quick-release or NQR) are standard spring-bars that have been used by the watch industry for decades. They consist of a bar with a spring inside and two shouldered ends to attach the strap to the watch.
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Must Have Tools For Beginners
Open Ended straps for Fixed Bar Watches.
Open ended watch straps, (also known as OE) are designed specifically for watches with a fixed bar. A fixed bar is used in many vintage watches before spring bars became popular. Open Ended straps are secured by fitting the pre-glued end around through the fixed bar and clamping in place using a fitting clip.
Read our blog 'What Is An Open-Ended Watch Strap' by clicking here.
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Tools For Open-Ended Watch Straps
What is Embossed Leather.
Embossed leather is leather with artificial patterns stamped on the natural grain of animal skin using a combination of high pressure and heat. Embossed leather features an authentic replica texture of a range of reptiles and exotic animals, such as crocodile, alligator or buffalo. Leather embossing is a technique used in the manufacturing of leather right before it is finished, and more often than not, it elevates the standard and quality of the product.
The Duke is exactly that, a full grain Italian leather, embossed with an alligator pattern, giving it the exotic look of the real thing, but at a far more affordable price.
The embossing of the Duke gives it a truly realistic alligator look due to Hirsch's meticulous design and high standards. If you want the look of an alligator watch strap but without the breaking the bank.
Read our blog 'What Is Embossed Leather' by clicking here.
So Why is it so Popular?
To put it simply, the Hirsch Duke is great watch strap.
The Hirsch Duke Watch Strap has gained significant popularity due to its exceptional combination of quality, versatility, and value. It's choice of sizes, lengths and buckle options make it one of the most versatile straps in our collection. We don't have another alligator embossed or genuine alligator strap that even comes close to the number of variations available for the Duke.
Furthermore, despite its premium quality, the Duke offers excellent value for money compared to many other high-end strap options.
Crafted from premium Italian calfskin, renowned for its durability, the Duke offers a comfortable wearing experience thanks to its water and sweat-resistant lining. This makes it ideal for everyday wear.
Overall, the Hirsch Duke's popularity stems from its ability to deliver a premium wearing experience without breaking the bank. It's a testament to Hirsch's dedication to crafting durable, comfortable, and stylish watch straps that enhance the overall look and feel of any watch.
"Frankly indistinguishable from the ‘real thing’."
Five Alternatives to the Hirsch Duke:
Less Padding for a more Classic Feel.
RIOS1931 Orlando Watch Strap
An unpadded Alligator Embossed strap from RIOS1931.
How does it differ from the Duke?
Padding:
Many think that without the padding a strap will be less comfortable, but this is not the case, padding is not always there for comfort, it is to give the strap substance which not everyone desires. The Orlando is perfect if a thinner more refined strap is what your after.
Lower price:
The Orlando has a slightly lower price point compared to the Duke, so it this is important to you, the Orlando would be a great option.
Heritage:
RIOS1931 may not be as well known as Hirsch, but did you know they've been around longer! Established in 1931 by Oswald Riemer, over a decade before Hirsch.
Something a bit more, Grand.
Hirsch Grand Duke Watch Strap
The Hirsch Grand Duke is a water-resistant, sports watch strap for those that want the same Alligator embossing as the Duke but with a sportier look and feel.
How does it differ from the Duke?
Added Water-Resistance:
Hirsch have added their specially formulated water-resistant calfskin and diving glove inner lining to the Grand Duke for added water resistance making it a great choice for dive watches.
Square Padding and Shape:
The Grand Duke has a squared off end and square padding giving it a completely different look to the Duke.
Contrast Stitching:
Although strap colour options are reduced compared to the Duke, the addition of contrast stitching options give the Grand Duke a great range of looks and options to match many watches.
A brand alternative.
RIOS1931 Louisiana Watch Strap
A traditionally-style Alligator Embossed watch strap. Comprised of high-quality matt-finished cow leather and imbued with an authentic alligator-style embossed texture, the Louisiana strap is another example of the supreme craftsmanship RIOS1931 are known for. Outfitted with a tone-on-tone stitch and equipped with a sturdy steel buckle, this is an excellent, dependable rendition of a classic watch strap design.
How does it differ from the Duke?
Padding:
The Louisiana has more substantial padding compared to the Duke, it is also more rounded on the underside.this increases the strap stiffness and breaking in time, but leads to a more comfortable strap in the end.
Heritage:
RIOS1931 may not be as well known as Hirsch, but did you know they've been around longer! Established in 1931 by Oswald Riemer, over a decade before Hirsch.
If you want the Real Thing.
Hirsch London Alligator Leather Watch Strap.
The London is Hirsch's flagship strap, produced from Genuine Louisiana Alligator skin with it's recognisable large, uniform scales. The strap has beautiful edge lacquering for a refined, more durable finish.
Why choose the London?
If the look of the Duke is what you're after, but you'd like the real feeling of Alligator skin, the London is what you need. It has the same shape and style as the Duke, but in a variety of genuine skins.
The trademark taper of the London gives it a sophisticated and elegant style, suitable for modern and vintage timepieces alike.
With no less than thirty four colours and styles to choose from in either a shiny or matt finish you're sure to find the Alligator strap for you. In addition to Alligator skin, the London is also available in genuine lizard skin.
Genuine Alligator from RIOS1931.
RIOS1931 Monarch Watch Strap
A Genuine Alligator strap from RIOS1931.
How does it differ from the Duke?
Genuine Skin:
The Monarch is made from premium Genuine Alligator leather. RIOS1931 chose only the best skins with the desirable large scales for the Monarch. Each strap will be different, as each alligator is different, so if you're looking for the real thing then the Monarch is a great option.
Inner Lining:
RIOS1931 chose to use the same alligator leather in a complimentary tone for the lining of the Monarch, rounding out the premium feel and aesthetic.
Heritage:
RIOS1931 may not be as well known as Hirsch, but did you know they've been around longer! Established in 1931 by Oswald Riemer, over a decade before Hirsch.
Italian leather, straight from Italy.
Morellato Bolle Embossed Leather Watch Strap
A best-seller among the extensive Morellato catalogue, the Bolle is a classic design that combines dependable and affordable calfskin leather with an authentic alligator-style embossed texture, for an accessory that truly is the best of both worlds.
Why choose the Bolle?
Italian made leather products are often considered to be highest quality available. This, and the fact that Italian brand, Morellato has been making watch straps for nearly a century, make the Bolle a fantastic watch strap.
About the Brand.
Founded in 1930 by Giulio Morellato in a Venetian workshop, the Morellato name rose to prominence as a mark of quality just as the wristwatch itself began to truly see mainstream adoption.
With a wide, ever-expanding range of watch strap styles in their repertoire, Morellato produce straps to suit all tastes, with materials ranging from precious leathers to performance rubbers and artificial composites.
"Really good experience with watch obsession. My strap was really good quality and delivery was fast. Everything you would want and they have a fantastic selection I don’t buy a strap anywhere else!"
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Conclusion
The Hirsch Duke is a classic watch strap that has firmly embedded itself as one of the most popular after-market watch straps currently available. If a Duke ends up being your chosen watch strap, it's safe to say that after the countless five star reviews for the Duke and the rest of the Hirsch products you won't be disappointed.
Always remember, if you ever need any help with any products on our website, we're always happy to help. Contact us via our website, social media, or head straight to our contact us page by clicking here.
The Author: Will Parker
Will Parker is the Head of Media at WatchObsession and has been with the company since 2020. As our dedicated photographer, videographer and content creator, he has changed more buckles, straps and clasps than we can count and his own personal watch collection grows every year, although his strap collection is growing faster.
