[F]Try Straum Jan Mayen with the new strap adapter

Sometimes it seems like a watch is destined to be worn either on a bracelet or a specific strap. Especially when it’s a sports watch with an integrated bracelet, it’s a no-brainer. Straum’s Jan Mayen is one such watch. The Norwegian brand’s popular modern sports watch is often praised for its great design. A big part of that design is how the case blends naturally with a great bracelet. But what if you want to wear your watch on a rubber or leather strap? With the introduction of Straum’s new strap adapters, now you can. I had the chance to try them out.

Here at Fratello, we love Straum Jan Mayen. As some of you may know, we collaborated with the independent Norwegian brand on the Fratello x Straum Jan Mayen Limited Edition. The red lava dial version became a Fratello favorite as orders were flooded in the week it was available for pre-order. Since Jan Mayen came into the hands of its owner, it has been praised for its original design and excellent quality. Although I missed out on the opportunity to purchase the Fratello version of the watch (red just doesn’t suit me), I have always wanted to add the white dial version to my slowly growing watch collection.

Providing diversity for Straum Jan Mayen

The introduction of the new strap adapter gave me the opportunity to try out my favorite Jan Mayen with its white dial, but the best part was being able to try it on a bracelet and with a variety of straps. As Dave explains in the introduction: The new strap adapter is designed to fit regular 20mm watch straps without compromising the integrity of the watch.

I can already say that I love Jan Mayen even more now. While I love the look of watches with integrated bracelets, it’s great to see that these adapters offer great versatility. The different straps give the watch an entirely different look. The design may feature a bracelet, but it’s surprisingly multifaceted.

It may seem odd to put a Straum Jan Mayen on a rubber or leather strap; the integrated bracelet highlights the superior design and engineering of the watch. But as legendary watches in the genre show, these watches are more versatile than people might think. Consider the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, the Vacheron Constantin Overseas, or the Patek Philippe Nautilus.

These are all watches that have become famous for their integrated bracelets. But they are also all available with leather or rubber straps. This is a great opportunity to change up the look of your watch, and the straps can also add comfort on hot summer days. What’s more, you can also customise your Jan Mayen with the strap of your choice.

More about Straum Jan Mayen

Just to be clear, the case of this watch is 39mm wide with a thickness of 11.3mm. It’s the perfect case size for my wrist and blends gracefully into the integrated bracelet. The combination of sharp angles and graceful curves that Straum Jan Mayen is known for is truly impressive. Its presence on the wrist is exciting because it’s different, yet familiar, and impeccably tasteful.

As Dave explained in his introduction to the Fratello Limited Edition, Lasse and Oystein of Straum put a lot of effort into creating a watch that stands out, and they’ve succeeded perfectly in doing so. I’ve experienced the Jan Mayen on a number of occasions and have been thrilled every time. Now that I have the opportunity to wear my preferred white dial version, I’m even more impressed. It’s a truly special watch.

Inside the case is the La Joux-Perret G101. This automatic movement runs at 28,800vph and has a power reserve of 70 hours. The tungsten rotor is secured by three screws. Additionally, this caliber has better finishing than most of its competitors’ movements, including exposed skeletonized wheels and nicely beveled outer edges. This is the perfect movement for Jan Mayen.

The strap adapter shows great design sense

As soon as I received the strap adapter, I noticed how well designed it was. It speaks to the attention to detail and care that the folks at Straum have put into it. The adapter matches the design of the watch perfectly, and the brushed finish matches the finish of the case.

To familiarize myself with the look and feel of the Jan Mayen white dial version, I first wore the watch on a bracelet, and I was very impressed. It’s an impressive watch, with its size, case and bracelet design and quality, and a crisp white dial with a snowy texture.

But after wearing the watch with the bracelet on for a few days, it’s time to change it. All you need to attach the adapter is a spring bar tool. You’ll also need some patience, as the adapter is designed to fit snugly into the case. The tight tolerances mean you need a steady hand, and once you do, it’s easy to install. But if you’re in a hurry, as with all strap changes, don’t do it in a hurry. Doing it in a hurry will leave the watch owner frustrated and with a potentially damaged watch.

You can wear different straps to get amazing results

Jokes aside, once you have the strap adapter installed, you can put on any 20mm strap you like. What’s great is that the adapter makes the strap look integrated, regardless of the strap style. As you can see in the photos, I tried a variety of straps, from Tropic-style rubber straps to leather racing straps and even a few NATO straps. Surprisingly, almost all of them matched the Jan Mayen beautifully.

Once you have installed the strap adapter and spring bars, changing the NATO strap is easy. Visually, make sure the color of the NATO strap matches the dial and you’re almost ready to go. The NATO strap matches the Straum Jan Mayen design very well. There’s no style clash and, as we all know, a good NATO strap is super comfortable.

I then attached a blue rubber Tropic style strap to the watch. This type of strap is thick and points downwards when attached to the strap adapter, which makes it very easy to put the strap on your wrist. Additionally, I found the Tropic strap to be one of those straps that fits the Jan Mayen surprisingly well. I wasn’t expecting such a distinctive rubber strap to fit the watch, but it didn’t feel strange at all.

Final thoughts on the Straum Jan Mayen strap adapter

Finally, we also tried leather and suede straps: a black perforated racing strap and a brown and light blue suede strap. Of course, whether the strap matches the watch is a matter of taste. With each strap we tried, opinions in the office varied. But what everyone agreed on is that the Straum Jan Mayen is much more versatile than you might first imagine. This is a watch that appreciates a design in which the integrated bracelet plays a key role.

But at the end of the day, you don’t need that amazing bracelet to make the watch stand out, and that’s great. I like the white dial version of the Jan Mayen even more. I was already a fan of this watch, but after trying this particular version on a bracelet and different straps, I’m really even more impressed. At 1,600 euros (before tax), the Straum Jan Mayen is a great sub-2,000 euro option.

The design and quality of the Jan Mayen are impeccable, and I think it’s definitely the best in its price range. And I’d love to add a strap adapter for €99 to add more variety. I’ll wear the watch on a rubber strap during the summer, and then attach a suede or nubuck strap to the case to match a stylish outfit. This new strap adapter is a great addition to the ever-growing Straum accessories line, and it perfectly illustrates why the Jan Mayen is such a beloved watch.

The new Jan Mayen Strap Adapters are available to pre-order now on Straum’s website, with deliveries expected to begin in November. Let us know in the comments what you think of the Straum Jan Mayen Straps and what your favorite strapping options are.

This is a priority position. learn more.