Watches with odd lug widths - 19 mm & 21 mm strap guide
When it comes to changing a watch band, lug width is one of the most important - but often overlooked - details. Most enthusiasts are familiar with even-numbered lug widths like 18 mm, 20 mm, or 22 mm. These have been the industry standard for decades, which is why I primarily produce my nylon watch straps in these sizes by default.
However, in recent years, odd lug widths - especially 19 mm and 21 mm - have become more common. Watch brands, both microbrands and major players like Rolex, Omega, and Grand Seiko, have released models with these trickier sizes. So if you’ve been struggling to find the right width a 19 mm or 21 mm watch strap, you’re not alone - and this guide is here to help.
Why are odd lug widths a thing?
Historically, even-numbered lug widths were used for simplicity and compatibility. A 20 mm strap fit a 20 mm case, no questions asked. But modern watchmakers sometimes choose odd sizes for design aesthetics, or to discourage the use of third-party straps.
The result is that many collectors now find themselves owning watches that require hard-to-find strap sizes - especially 19 mm and 21 mm.
What happens when you use a narrower strap?
You can always install a narrower strap into wider lugs. For example, putting an 18 mm strap in a 20 mm lug width will work mechanically - but it will leave a visible gap on either side. While some people dislike that, others see it as part of the charm.
In fact, James Bond himself rocked the look. In the movie Goldfinger (1964), Sean Connery’s Rolex Submariner 6538 (which has a 20 mm lug width) was worn on a 16 mm nylon strap. The gap was noticeable, but the result was iconic.
If you’re okay with a slightly “looser” aesthetic, using a narrower strap is a practical workaround.
Can you fit a slightly wider strap into a narrower lug?
In many cases, yes - especially with soft, thin straps. A 21 mm band can often be carefully squeezed into 20 mm lugs, and the result is a snug, almost seamless fit. This works particularly well with my nylon straps, which are soft and flexible (except for the thicker Bond HD version).
It’s not recommended to force a stiff or padded strap into narrower lugs, but with thinner materials like mine, it's a safe and easy trick.
My solution: One band for two lug widths
To make life easier for collectors, I take an intentional approach with my strap sizing - slightly undersizing the actual webbing. This way, a single strap can fit both even and odd lug widths.
This strategy isn’t unique to me. Even Omega uses the same principle for their OEM NATO straps, producing bands that measure 19.5mm, officially labeled for 19/20 mm lugs, and 21.5mm ones labeled for 21/22 mm.
Actual width of my straps - recommendations for 19 mm and 21 mm lug width:
| Color | 18 mm | 20 mm | 22 mm |
| Admiralty Grey | N/A | 20.0 mm | 22.0 mm |
| Beige | 17.9 mm | 19.5 mm (recommended for 19/20 mm) |
21.6 mm (recommended for 21/22 mm) |
| Black with White Stripe | 17.7 mm | 20.1 mm | 22.2 mm |
| Black | 17.7 mm | 19.6 mm (recommended for 19/20 mm) |
22.3 mm |
| Blue | 17.9 mm | 19.6 mm (recommended for 19/20 mm) |
21.5 mm (recommended for 21/22 mm) |
| Blue Bond | 17.8 mm | 19.9 mm | 22.0 mm |
| Bond | 18.6 mm (recommended for 18/19 mm) |
19.9 mm | 21.7 mm (recommended for 21/22 mm) |
| HD Bond | N/A | 20.4 mm (recommended for 20/21 mm) |
22.0 mm |
| Navy Blue | N/A | 20.2 mm | 22.3 mm |
| Navy Blue & White | 18.1 mm | 19.8 mm | 22.2 mm |
| NTTD Bond | 17.7 mm | 19.7 mm (recommended for 19/20 mm) |
22.0 mm |
| Olive Green | 17.9 mm | 19.5 mm (recommended for 19/20 mm) |
21.5 mm (recommended for 21/22 mm) |
| White Bond | 17.9 mm | 19.7 mm (recommended for 19/20 mm) |
21.8 mm |
Visual fit guide
To make things even clearer, here are two typical strap fit scenarios. (Drawings can be added below.)
- Narrower band in wider lugs → visible gap on both sides
- Slightly wider strap in narrower lugs → snug fit, no gaps
These visuals are especially useful if you're unsure which option to go with.
Why material matters
One key to making this work is material flexibility. A strap made from thick leather or padded fabric won't fit well if the size is off by even 1mm. But my nylon straps are designed to be soft, thin, and forgiving - perfect for bridging that small width difference.
This allows you to buy fewer straps while still enjoying a proper fit on more watches.
Conclusion: The best straps and bands for 19 mm & 21 mm lug widths
You don’t need to be frustrated by odd lug widths anymore. With smart sizing and soft materials, one strap can serve multiple watch cases - from vintage Grand Seikos with 19 mm lugs to modern Rolex and Omega models requiring 21 mm straps.
If you're looking for watch bands that fit 19 mm or 21 mm lugs without compromise, check out the table above. I’ve designed them with this exact versatility in mind - so you can enjoy a perfect fit, whether your lugs are even or odd.