19mm is the lug width that catches people out. It sits between the two most common sizes, it’s used by some of the most desirable watches on the market, and most strap makers treat it as if it doesn’t exist. Owners of a 19mm watch quickly learn that the strap they want is only made in 20mm, and that forcing it on is a bad idea.

Artem Straps is one of the few premium makers that builds 19mm as a proper size rather than an afterthought. Here’s why that matters, which watches need it, and what’s in the range.

Why 19mm Is Harder to Buy For

Lug width has to be exact. A 20mm strap pushed into 19mm lugs binds against the spring bars, bows outward at the ends and wears through at the corners. A strap that’s too narrow leaves a visible gap on either side of the lugs that no amount of colour matching can hide.

Because 19mm sells in smaller numbers than 20mm or 22mm, many brands skip it or offer a thin selection in one or two colours. The result is that 19mm owners often end up with a strap that fits properly but isn’t the one they wanted, or the one they wanted in a size that doesn’t fit properly.

The Watches That Use 19mm

The reason 19mm deserves a real range is the calibre of watch that uses it. Brands choose 19mm for proportion: a 36mm or 38mm case looks more balanced on 19mm lugs than on 20mm, and a strap that tapers from 19 keeps the whole thing slim on the wrist.

The best-known examples are the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36 and Explorer 36, the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 38 and Speedmaster 38, and the Tudor Black Bay 36. Add a long list of vintage pieces and smaller dress watches, and it’s a size worth taking seriously.

What Artem Offers in 19mm

Artem’s dedicated 19mm watch straps collection covers every one of the brand’s main lines, which means a 19mm owner gets the same choice as a 20mm owner.

Classic Sailcloth. The strap that made Artem’s name, in 19mm with a traditional tang buckle. An embossed sailcloth-patterned upper over a leather core with a natural rubber underside, water-resistant, and available in black, navy, grey, khaki green and sand beige with a choice of stitching colours. The 19mm version tapers to 18mm at the buckle, so the strap stays slim on a smaller case.

Loop-less™ Sailcloth. The same construction, built for a folding deployant clasp instead of a buckle. No keepers, no loose tail, and once it’s sized it goes on in one click. In 19mm it tapers to 18mm at the clasp end, which means it also pairs with an 18mm OEM Omega clasp if you already own one.

HydroFlex™. Artem’s dual-stage vulcanised FKM rubber, with the same sailcloth texture embossed into the surface. Waterproof, salt-proof and UV-stable, and comfortable from the first wear with no break-in. Available in 19mm with a classic buckle, or as Loop-less™ HydroFlex™ in a 19/16mm configuration that pairs with a 16mm clasp.

Signature Nylon. Artem’s pass-through nylon is cut at 19.5mm to fit both 19mm and 20mm lugs, with the fabric compressing slightly to seat cleanly. Fourteen colourways on OEM-grade hardware, including the Bond, NTTD and Vintage Bond stripes.

Fit Is More Than Width

A precision fit means getting all three numbers right, and the 19mm range is built around that.

Width is the lug measurement, and it’s exact.

Taper is the width at the buckle or clasp end. Artem’s 19mm sailcloth straps narrow to 18mm; the Loop-less™ HydroFlex™ narrows to 16mm. If you’re fitting a deployant clasp, it has to match that second number, not the lug width.

Length is where most straps fall down. Artem’s straps come in XS, Standard and XL, covering wrists from roughly 5.1 inches to 9.1 inches, so the clasp lands in the middle of the wrist rather than on the first or last hole.

Every strap in the collection comes fitted with quick-release spring bars, so swapping takes seconds and no tool. The Loop-less™ deployant clasp, in stainless steel or black DLC, is sold separately and can be moved between any Loop-less™ strap of the same clasp width.

A Note on Hardware

A 36mm or 38mm watch has finely finished case surfaces, and a thin, stamped buckle undoes all of it. Artem’s buckles and clasps are solid 316L stainless steel, brushed through the centre with polished edges on the tang buckles, with a black DLC option for darker cases. On a watch like an Explorer 36 or an Aqua Terra 38, that’s the detail that makes the strap look like it belongs.

Guarantee

Every strap carries Artem’s two-year craftsmanship warranty against cracks, delamination and stitching faults, plus a thirty-day fit-and-feel return window if the size, colour or feel isn’t right.

Final thoughts

If your watch has 19mm lugs, you’ve probably been making do. Artem’s 19mm range means you don’t have to: sailcloth, rubber and nylon, in classic and Loop-less™ configurations, with proper tapers, three lengths and matching hardware. Measure your lugs, choose the line that suits how you wear the watch, and buy the size that actually fits.