BLOG #9 - adjustable FITWELL Buckles

Introduction

We all know the struggle: not every watch strap fits the wrist perfectly. Some leather straps are too short, others made of rubber are overly long and stick out awkwardly. And just when you think you’ve finally found the perfect strap with the right length, a new challenge appears—hole spacing. That’s right! Many strap manufacturers don’t follow a standardized hole spacing, which can lead to awkward in-between fits.

This can be especially frustrating when

- Your wrist is particularly wide or narrow

- The weather causes your wrist size to change throughout the day

Some metal bracelets come with what’s known as a “micro adjustment,” allowing for slight sizing tweaks directly via the clasp—no need for a tool every time. But what about leather or rubber straps, which typically come with a basic pin buckles and offer very little room for adjustment?

The Solution

That’s exactly the challenge tackled by FITWELL Buckle Co., based in sunny Santa Cruz, California. What if you constantly find yourself switching between strap holes just because the weather changed? Or the second-to-last hole still doesn’t give you that perfect fit?

After several sketches, prototypes, and fine-tuning, the “Model One” was born—a tang buckle that offers a small but crucial amount of adjustability. Thanks to a unique spring bar mechanism that snaps into two distinct positions, you get an extra 3mm of adjustment space. A game-changer for leather straps that tend to run small! Best of all, the adjustment can be made right on the wrist—no need to take off the watch. A true lifesaver on hot summer days.

Problems with the pin?

The patented mechanism allows you to adjust between two wrist sizes by moving the spring bar itself. Depending on your setting, the tang moves slightly forward or backward. But don’t worry—the tang recess is designed to ensure it always rests securely and doesn’t slip through.

The standard “Model One” is crafted from brushed 316 stainless steel. Because strap hole sizes vary, FITWELL also offers two different tang widths (1.75mm and 2.25mm), which can be ordered to match your strap.

Many Buckles for every watch

Of course, watches come in all shapes, sizes, and finishes—which means watch straps (and their buckle widths) vary too. FITWELL’s adjustable buckles are currently available in 16mm, 18mm, and 20mm widths. Plus, you can choose from silver, gold, rose gold, titanium, or black—covering the vast majority of watch styles out there.

There are also a few limited-edition options, like the more rugged, bead-blasted “M1” in titanium or stainless steel. And for those who love that classic aviation-inspired look, the new “M3” pays tribute to the legendary Breitling buckle—no extra strap loops needed!

All buckles are currently available through DELUGS.

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