Zuludiver Octopod

Discussion of straps and bracelets.
Post Reply
User avatar
dnslater
Posts: 6804
Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2011 6:52 pm
Name: Nick
Location: Indiana, USA

Zuludiver Octopod

Post by dnslater » Thu Oct 27, 2022 3:49 pm

I saw these on Reddit and thought I would give them a try for my FXD. The Octopod is essentially an elastic 1 piece parachute style strap fitted to a pseudo deployment strap.

The good:
Easier to take watch on and off than the typical MN style straps with the clasp
Clasp is well finished
Comfortable and stretchy
Balances a larger watch visually
Looks decent
Machining on clasp is well done.

The bad
Clasp is very bulky. Won’t be comfortable typing.
Takes awhile to install.
Not inexpensive.
Shipping from UK takes awhile.

All in all I will give it some time but so far prefer a traditional MN, NATO or the stock Velcro strap. Part of the issue is the 22mm lug size is translates to a massively large buckle. Would be better if I had larger wrists or maybe with the 20mm version. Overall it is a solution looking for a problem.

Some pics :

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Last edited by dnslater on Fri Oct 28, 2022 2:35 am, edited 4 times in total.

User avatar
Chocodove
Posts: 8942
Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2013 1:35 pm
Name: Todd
Location: NJ

Re: Zuludiver Octopod

Post by Chocodove » Thu Oct 27, 2022 3:55 pm

I’ve been trying to figure out something other than a three ring Zulu for mine, even though those work pretty well for me. Tried the Watch Steward ones, which I know Jeff really likes, but just not for me.

These look nice…but damn that buckle seems gigantic.

How do you install?
- Todd

User avatar
dnslater
Posts: 6804
Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2011 6:52 pm
Name: Nick
Location: Indiana, USA

Re: Zuludiver Octopod

Post by dnslater » Thu Oct 27, 2022 4:15 pm

Chocodove wrote:
Thu Oct 27, 2022 3:55 pm
I’ve been trying to figure out something other than a three ring Zulu for mine, even though those work pretty well for me. Tried the Watch Steward ones, which I know Jeff really likes, but just not for me.

These look nice…but damn that buckle seems gigantic.

How do you install?
That is one problem… no instructions… not even on their site. They have a diagram that shows you how it works so you can figure it out. Can take the spring bars off or leave them on and weave the strap through.. which I did with the help of tweezers. Took maybe 5-10 minutes. Would certainly be easier on a watch with removable spring bars. Supposedly they are working on an instructional video.

I would love to find someone that makes high quality Velcro in green and other colors similar to the stock strap.

User avatar
andy tims
Posts: 2530
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2011 1:55 pm
Name: Andy Tims
Location: UK

Re: Zuludiver Octopod

Post by andy tims » Mon Feb 12, 2024 7:40 am

When they first came out, the clasp was about £48.00. Now they are £68.00 or £78.00 for black.

I got a bundle of 10 x 22mm straps & an original clasp pre-owned recently for £60.00 recently.

The clasp is a bit big, even for my reasonably large (7.5") wrist, but overall I'm happy at the price paid & if I could get a similar deal on 20mm staps / buckle I would buy that.

The best feature is the infinite degree of adjustability you have, allowing for a perfect fit.

The currently available clasps are apparently a bit smaller.
Andy

User avatar
dnslater
Posts: 6804
Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2011 6:52 pm
Name: Nick
Location: Indiana, USA

Re: Zuludiver Octopod

Post by dnslater » Mon Feb 12, 2024 9:11 am

andy tims wrote:
Mon Feb 12, 2024 7:40 am
When they first came out, the clasp was about £48.00. Now they are £68.00 or £78.00 for black.

I got a bundle of 10 x 22mm straps & an original clasp pre-owned recently for £60.00 recently.

The clasp is a bit big, even for my reasonably large (7.5") wrist, but overall I'm happy at the price paid & if I could get a similar deal on 20mm staps / buckle I would buy that.

The best feature is the infinite degree of adjustability you have, allowing for a perfect fit.

The currently available clasps are apparently a bit smaller.
Curious how you like it after wearing it awhile. I threw it in the drawer after one day and never wore it again. I just found the clasp ridiculously large.

User avatar
mattcantwin
mattcreatestonsofwatchrelateddrama
Posts: 18489
Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:53 pm

Re: Zuludiver Octopod

Post by mattcantwin » Mon Feb 12, 2024 10:18 am

Thanks for the review; very helpful.
Image

User avatar
andy tims
Posts: 2530
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2011 1:55 pm
Name: Andy Tims
Location: UK

Re: Zuludiver Octopod

Post by andy tims » Mon Feb 19, 2024 6:13 am

dnslater wrote:
Mon Feb 12, 2024 9:11 am

Curious how you like it after wearing it awhile. I threw it in the drawer after one day and never wore it again. I just found the clasp ridiculously large.
Managed to snap a 20mm clasp & 5 straps for a very good price.

I'm happy so far. The clasps is big, but not too bad on my wrist.

Image
Andy

User avatar
CGSshorty
Admin
Posts: 33918
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 5:18 pm
Location: Boynton Beach, FL

Re: Zuludiver Octopod

Post by CGSshorty » Thu Feb 22, 2024 4:46 am

andy tims wrote:
dnslater wrote:
Mon Feb 12, 2024 9:11 am

Curious how you like it after wearing it awhile. I threw it in the drawer after one day and never wore it again. I just found the clasp ridiculously large.
Managed to snap a 20mm clasp & 5 straps for a very good price.

I'm happy so far. The clasps is big, but not too bad on my wrist.

Image
Is that the original, or the new smaller version?
"It's such a fine line between stupid, and clever."
David St. Hubbins

User avatar
andy tims
Posts: 2530
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2011 1:55 pm
Name: Andy Tims
Location: UK

Re: Zuludiver Octopod

Post by andy tims » Thu Feb 22, 2024 12:04 pm

Original 20mm
Andy

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 100 guests