Hello, everyone, and welcome to another of my reviews. In this article, I’ll briefly review a pair of lizard watch straps from local strap label RSM.
Best known for its premium fabric straps, RSM has been expanding its offerings, recently introducing canvas strap options in addition to bestsellers such as silk straps. The brand recently forayed into premium leather straps with a curated selection of lizard, buttero and alligator straps. RSM was kind enough to send over a pair of its leather straps for me to have a look at – let’s see if they are any good.
RSM Lizard Straps – Review
RSM currently offers its lizard straps in three colourways: grey, black and red.
RSM’s lizard straps feature a vertical grain, which highlights the elongated scales. Compared to alligator straps, I find the smaller, more refined scales of lizard straps to be more exotic and visually striking.
Furthermore, lizard leather is also typically thinner than other leather types (such as alligator), thus making them more appropriate for slimmer dress watches (like my vintage Cartier Tank Jumbo).
Interestingly, RSM opted against full stitching for its lizard straps. Instead, only the latter half (surrounding the punched holes) of the straps are stitched. RSM states that stitching is only applied to high-stress areas for durability, and that “zones from lug end to holes are not stitched to prevent distractions from the beauty of its natural grains”. The result is an intriguing look that preserves the inherent elegance of the lizard leather while retaining practicality.
On this topic of pragmatism, I should highlight that lizard leather is highly resistant to wear and tear, so you don’t have to worry about scratches or creasing (unlike on some other leather types) for some time.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the rich hue of the red strap, which perfectly complemented the sunburst burgundy dial of my new Breitling Premier B09 Chronograph. It really is a match made in strap heaven, with the lizard strap’s retro vibes pairing beautifully with the Premier B09’s heritage-inspired ethos.
Lastly, I want to shout out the buckle, which preserves the seamless elegance of the lizard strap. Notice how the pin is almost invisible, allowing the natural grains of the lizard strap to remain unobscured. It’s clear that the RSM team has put great thought into its buckle design—an area that’s often an afterthought for strap labels.
Conclusion – so RSM Lizard Strap “shiok” or not?
If you’re looking for an elegant strap pairing for your dress or vintage watches, then RSM’s lizard straps will certainly fit the bill. I appreciated the eminently striking nature of the natural vertical grains, the thinness of the straps, and also the clean aesthetic of the buckle. And at S$138 (after the promo code below), RSM’s handmade lizard straps are actually one of the cheapest in the local market. It’s great to see RSM employing the same attention to detail it does with its fabric straps to its new leather offerings, and I can’t wait to see what the brand has in store – perhaps more colour options?
Those interested in purchasing from RSM Straps can use the promo code “WAHSOSHIOK” to enjoy 10% off all products from its webstore. After the promo code, RSM’s lizard straps can be had for just S$138.60, making them great value for money.
View RSM’s lizard straps here.
View the full range of RSM’s offerings here.
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P.P.P.P.S Shiok is a common word Singaporeans use to express admiration or approval. As of 2016, you can find the definition of the word in the Oxford English Dictionary.
