Very early wristwatches are often referred to as "officer's" or "trench" watches because they became popular during the first world war, when they were convenient to wear in the trenches, but were so expensive that only officers could afford them. They are also sometimes referred to as "fixed lug" watches, because of the method of holding the case to the wrist where fixed loops of wire, called lugs, were soldered on to the case to loop a thin strap or band of leather through. Men's watches of this era were often fitted with cuff type straps that have a wider back piece behind the narrow strap.
Modern Version of the Pocket Watch Wrist Strap
There was an upsurge in demand for wrist watches during the First World War (WW1 - 1914 to 1918.) Before this, most watch manufacturer were making pocket watches and hadn't anticipated the sudden demand for wrist watches. The easiest way to satisfy this sudden demand for wristwatches was to add small loops of wire, called lugs, to an existing model of pocket watch and pass a strap or band of leather through these to secure the watch to the wrist. For some reason now lost in the mists of time, the width used for the lugs on these earliest wristwatches was about 10mm, allowing a narrow strap or band of flexible leather to be looped through and across the back of the case.
Used in WWII, the German Bund Strap Was standard issue for the Military these straps eventually appearing on Military Aviation Watches around the world. The biggest danger to survivors of aviation mishaps is fire. Leather is a great insulator and very durable in the event of fire and makes a safe watch strap. There are many other reasons given for using a Bund strap, some of the major reasons being to keep the metal off the wrist to prevent burning or freezing depending on conditions as well as making the watch more comfortable to wear especially where the crown might dig into the back of a wrist when flexing. In olden days when watches were made cheaply, they prevented the thin and cheap chrome plating from discoloring.
This design persisted after the war and into the 1920's, with the lugs gradually increasing in width to 12mm, 14mm, etc. over the years until they were superseded with the fixed horns and spring bars seen on modern watches.
I'm sure there's more that I've missed but it's a start. Here are some modern versions that I hope inspire you to consider something a little different...
Modern Version of the Pocket Watch Wrist Strap
There was an upsurge in demand for wrist watches during the First World War (WW1 - 1914 to 1918.) Before this, most watch manufacturer were making pocket watches and hadn't anticipated the sudden demand for wrist watches. The easiest way to satisfy this sudden demand for wristwatches was to add small loops of wire, called lugs, to an existing model of pocket watch and pass a strap or band of leather through these to secure the watch to the wrist. For some reason now lost in the mists of time, the width used for the lugs on these earliest wristwatches was about 10mm, allowing a narrow strap or band of flexible leather to be looped through and across the back of the case.
Used in WWII, the German Bund Strap Was standard issue for the Military these straps eventually appearing on Military Aviation Watches around the world. The biggest danger to survivors of aviation mishaps is fire. Leather is a great insulator and very durable in the event of fire and makes a safe watch strap. There are many other reasons given for using a Bund strap, some of the major reasons being to keep the metal off the wrist to prevent burning or freezing depending on conditions as well as making the watch more comfortable to wear especially where the crown might dig into the back of a wrist when flexing. In olden days when watches were made cheaply, they prevented the thin and cheap chrome plating from discoloring.
This design persisted after the war and into the 1920's, with the lugs gradually increasing in width to 12mm, 14mm, etc. over the years until they were superseded with the fixed horns and spring bars seen on modern watches.
I'm sure there's more that I've missed but it's a start. Here are some modern versions that I hope inspire you to consider something a little different...
Thank you for the time, as always, you've taken to make this.