Delugs Expands Its Line Of CTS Rubber Straps With Four New Patterns — Pilot, Mosaic, Waffle, And Tropic

I like a headline that gets straight to the point, and I think I nailed it with this one — no clickbait in sight. As is made exceedingly apparent, Delugs recently introduced four new patterns to its straight-end CTS (Cut-To-Size) rubber straps — Pilot, Mosaic, Waffle, and Tropic. Ken sent me one of each of the new patterned FKM rubber straps to test out. These straps immediately stood out for their thoughtful patterns, adding quite different personalities to the line. Each one brought a fresh aesthetic to the watches I paired them with, and I had a blast experimenting with them.

All four straps are crafted from soft and flexible FKM rubber, so no break-in period is required. From the first wear, they’re comfortable, wrapping snugly around the wrist without any stiffness. This quality is a huge plus, especially for those accustomed to the break-in time of leather or less pliable natural rubber straps. I’ve always liked rubber straps, and I remember the first time I tried FKM. For me, there’s no going back to any other kind.

Sizing made easy

Sizing these straps is straightforward: you cut small pieces from each side to get the perfect fit. Each piece of rubber features a set of furrows on the underside, and between each is a hole meant for a spring bar. The furrows act as a guide for equal sizing on both halves. What’s more, Delugs includes an extra piece with each strap. This thoughtful addition takes the stress out of sizing, ensuring you have a backup if the first attempt doesn’t go as planned. The butterfly clasp, which features two micro-adjustment holes on each side, makes some slight fine-tuning easy.

Green Pilot with RZE × Fratello Resolute Pro “Contour”

The green Pilot strap perfectly matched my RZE × Fratello Resolute Pro “Contour.” Its earthy green hue complemented the titanium case beautifully, and the matching titanium clasp elevated the overall aesthetic. The Pilot strap has a slightly matte surface finish, which I particularly liked. Its textured surface and vibrant hue seemed made for the watch, offering a rugged yet refined look. It was a very logical combination because maps’ contour lines inspired the dial.

I had previously paired this watch with a green Delugs Sailcloth strap, but the Pilot strap just took the crown. It’s nice having a few different strap options for this watch now! I also like that Delugs offers an optional titanium clasp, meaning the clasp matches the watch, an often overlooked and undervalued feature.

Blue Mosaic with Hermes H08

Next up, I paired the blue Mosaic strap with my Hermes H08. I bought this watch about a year and a half ago, and I keep meaning to write up a long-term review as it’s a watch that I don’t think gets enough love in enthusiast circles. It certainly gets lots of love from me, though, as there are too many positives about it to name!

This combination felt like a natural fit, especially with the color. I have two OEM straps for my H08, including the blue fabric option. Blue works well with this watch, and the intricate mosaic texture played well with the H08’s fashion-forward design. Delugs initially developed this Mosaic pattern for the M.A.D.1 series, but I’m glad the brand extended its availability to the straight-end straps. While I’ve seen the Mosaic strap looking sharp on Cartier Tanks, my H08 pairing hit all the right notes, blending sophistication with a touch of flair.

Orange Waffle with MoonSwatch Mission to Mercury

For my MoonSwatch Mission to Mercury, I opted for the orange Waffle strap. I bought this watch when it first came out. Since then, we’ve seen many MoonSwatch variations, but the Mercury remains my pick of the lot. I don’t know about anyone else, but I wear my MoonSwatch quite a lot. I’d say I fall into the category of people whose MoonSwatch experience has pushed them closer to buying the real deal. But that’s a conversation for a different day.

The contrast between the Waffle strap’s bright orange hue and the Mercury edition’s black/gray shades was striking. Black and orange make for a classic color combination, and this pairing shows why; look at it! Among the many strap combinations I’ve tried for this watch, the Waffle strap stands out as a fave. The texture added depth, and the black butterfly clasp provided a sleek finishing touch. This pairing has quickly become a favorite, infusing the playful MoonSwatch with a bold, sporty edge. Anything is better than the stock strap…

Black Tropic with Breitling Superocean

Finally, I paired the black Tropic CTS rubber strap with the Breitling Superocean. This was the first “proper” watch in my collection, and it’s my go-to choice when I want to wear a dive watch. Usually, that’s for desk diving, but I am a qualified diver, and this watch has come on a few dives with me.

Tropic straps have a long history in diving, making this match feel authentic and functional. Of all the new Delugs patterns, I’ve found myself reaching for this one the most, possibly because it’s the most versatile, especially in black. Its classic look and durable design perfectly suit the Superocean’s rugged profile.

Final thoughts on the new Delugs CTS rubber straps

Ken Kuan, the founder of Delugs, says that strap changing is a lifestyle, and I couldn’t agree more. For a long time, I staunchly stuck by OEM straps. These days, I enjoy switching up straps — once you start, you don’t stop. Granted, I don’t swap every day like some people I know, but I love finding new straps that offer a different personality for my favorite watches. These new patterned CTS rubber straps do just that. Each one creates a slightly different aesthetic for each watch that differs from the OEM experience, and I’ve found myself rotating my watches a lot more frequently as a result.

While the Delugs patterned CTS rubber straps aren’t the cheapest, starting at €136, their quality, comfort, and style justify the price. There’s no unsightly molding seam, and the rubber is top-notch quality. The only challenge? Deciding which strap to use with which watch. Each pattern comes in eight colors and five widths/tapers, so you’ll find the perfect strap for pretty much any watch you own. With Christmas not far away, perhaps one of these straps might make a nice present from you…to you? Find out more on the Delugs website.

So, have any of these caught your eye? Do you already have a favorite Delugs CTS rubber strap in your collection? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. You may also like the recently launched Sailcloth straps, which you can read about here.

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