I first reviewed Artem straps in 2021, when the Australian brand had one model (sailcloth) and one color (black). I liked their quality and was impressed that what they lacked chromatically, they made up with a range of stitching, hardware, and sizes — even the odd ones! Since then, they have expanded the range and provided me with three samples from their Loop-Less collection for this review.
As before, the straps are tapered, lightly padded, and backed with a soft rubber lining. Quick-release spring bars are an extra-cost option and well worth it. Artem now offers Khaki Green and Navy Blue in addition to black. Of course, the quality is still top-notch.
One of the things I love about sailcloth is that it looks neater and more tailored than most utilitarian rubber, silicone, or FKM straps, yet they are every bit as practical. It’s just the sort of thing for a gentleman diver if such a thing exists outside of my horological imagination. I’m just saying if I were to remake the iconic Goldfinger scene when James Bond unzipped his wetsuit, stepped out in his white dinner jacket, and checked his Rolex Sub, it wouldn’t be on an ill-fitting pass-through strap. It would wear one of these.
So, sailcloth is cool, but how does it justify a new review? Well, these are not your usual two-piece straps. As you can see in the photo below, the fastener side of the strap is far longer than usual. Where a standard strap measures 75/115mm, these measure 97/100mm. The tail’s adjustment holes are reinforced with color-keyed rubber. You’ll see why in a moment.
That alligator-looking beast in the photo below is the Atrem Loop-Less Deployant Clasp. It is a lovely bit of equipment composed of heavy, beautifully finished stainless steel. The buttons, jaws, hinge, all of it fairly screams, “I’m overengineered and proud of it.”
Feed the tail end into the receiver in the lower half of the clasp and pinch the sides to tuck them under the small flanges on either side. Press the desired adjustment hole over the mounting post and press it flush.
Now, when you snap the clasp shut, the tail is neatly hidden under the strap, eliminating the need for loops.
Voila! It’s a clean look and absolutely secure.
This system is ingenious but not entirely without compromise, as the exposed mechanism is noticeably thicker than a conventional pin-buckle.
It’s not cheap either. A conventional Artem sailcloth strap with a pin buckle is $85. The Loop-Less is $113, and a brushed Loop-Less Deployant is another $68, bringing your total to $181. Add $10 more if you want PVD and $13 for quick-release bars, and you’ve hit $204. That is a hefty premium, but you can appreciate where that money was spent. You can also employ the Loop-Less clasp on other straps; just be aware that straps not made for the system may fit differently or experience premature wear.
Loop-Less may not be for everyone, but there are few alternatives for those who value its clean lines and robust construction. The Formex Fine-Adjustment clasp springs to mind, offering carbon-fiber construction and a unique sliding mechanism for a precise fit, but at more than twice the price of stainless steel Loop-Less clasp, it makes the Artem seem like a relative bargain.
Artem sailcloth straps are amazing. They offer conventional buckles and deployant clasps in addition to the Loop-Less, and everything exhibits the care and craftsmanship we have come to expect from the brand. They even have a line of nylon pass-throughs if you want to take a different tack. No matter your choice, I highly recommend them.
If you would like to explore the Artem range, then visit artemstraps.com.
