Rally Watch Strap: What It Is and How to Wear One

A rally watch strap is a leather strap with large round holes punched near the lugs, usually in a short row on each half, sometimes with smaller holes around them. The name and the look are commonly associated with motor racing, and today a rally strap is mostly chosen for style: it gives a watch a sporty, open look that suits chronographs, dive watches and other tool watches.

The holes are a design feature and do not change sizing, so a rally strap fits like any other leather strap. Below we explain what to expect when you wear one, which watches we think it suits, and how our own version, the Hybrid Rally Pilot, is made.

What is a rally watch strap?

Most rally straps follow the same idea: a row of large circular cut-outs on each half of the strap, close to where it meets the watch. Some designs add smaller holes beside the large ones, and many have contrast or tonal stitching around the edge. Away from the lugs, the strap looks like an ordinary leather strap, with adjustment holes on the long end and a pin buckle on the short end.

The perforations are the defining detail. They break up the surface of the leather near the case, so the strap looks lighter and more dynamic than a solid band. Because the holes show what is underneath, your wrist or a shirt cuff becomes part of the look.

You will also see the name used loosely. Some sellers call any perforated strap a rally strap, while others keep the term for designs with a few large holes near the lugs. If you are buying online, look at the photos as well as the name.

How a rally strap wears

On the wrist, a rally strap feels much like any leather strap of the same thickness and construction. The holes sit near the lugs, where the strap curves around the side of your wrist, so they do not change how the buckle end fits or how you size it.

There are a few practical points worth knowing:

• Dirt can collect at the edges of the holes. Wipe the strap with a soft, dry or slightly damp cloth, and pay a little attention to the cut-outs.
• The strap is not waterproof. Wipe off moisture promptly and let it dry naturally at room temperature. Never soak it or dry it with a hair dryer or in strong sun.
• The holes are visible from the side. On a slim wrist with a larger watch, more of the perforated section can show beside the case. We find that suits the sporty look, but it is worth bearing in mind.

Our leather watch strap care guide covers the rest.

Which watches suit a rally strap?

This is a matter of taste, and our suggestions are styling, not rules. Visually, we find a rally strap works well with watches that already have a sporty character:

• Chronographs. Sub-dials, pushers and a tachymeter scale give the watch a busy, technical face. To our eye the perforations repeat that sporty feel instead of competing with it.
• Dive watches. A rotating bezel and bold markers can look heavy on a plain leather strap. The holes make the strap look lighter, which we think helps a dive watch dress down for everyday wear. Keep the leather strap away from the water itself.
• Field and pilot watches. Simple, legible dials and sturdy cases sit comfortably with a casual strap.

Where we would not use one is on a slim dress watch with a formal suit. There the perforations look out of place, and a plain slim strap in a smooth leather is the more natural choice. To see how a rally-style strap looks on a black-dial chronograph, our guide to leather straps for the Omega Speedmaster shows our four colours on the wrist.

Cernir's Hybrid Rally Pilot leather strap

Our rally leather watch strap is the Hybrid Rally Pilot. It has three large round holes with smaller holes beside them near the lugs, on both halves of the strap. It is made in the Saffiano calfskin Cernir uses, from Superior in Italy, a leather with a fine crosshatch grain pressed into the surface. In our experience it feels firm and holds its shape from the first wear, which keeps the cut-outs crisp. The edges are painted.

Like our other straps, it is built in four layers, with a reinforcement layer that limits stretching, extra strength at the spring bars and a lining in soft Zermatt calfskin from Tanneries Haas. Our stitched straps are saddle stitched by hand, and on the Hybrid Rally Pilot the thread matches the colour of the leather. You can choose a stainless steel pin buckle in silver, yellow gold, rose gold or black, all at the same price.

We make it in four colours: black, forest green, mustard yellow and taupe. Black and taupe are the quieter choices, forest green adds colour without shouting, and mustard yellow is the one for wearers who want the strap to be noticed. See them together in the Hybrid Rally Pilot watch straps collection. For more on the leather itself, read our article on the Saffiano leather watch strap.

One limit to know before ordering: the Hybrid Rally Pilot cannot carry initials on the lining, unlike our other straps.

Sizing a leather rally strap

Size a rally strap exactly as you would any other. Measure the gap between your watch's lugs, then pick a buckle width a little narrower. If you are looking for a 20mm rally strap, our standard pairs for 20mm lugs are 20-16 and 20-18; check the sizes listed on the Hybrid Rally Pilot product page before ordering. If you are unsure of your lug width, our page on how to find your lug width walks you through it, and the watch strap sizing guide covers length.

Each strap arrives with two quick-release spring bars fitted, so the swap is usually done by hand without tools. Our guide on how to change a watch strap shows the steps, including what to do if a bar does not seat easily.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a rally strap and a racing strap?

The names overlap and sellers use them differently. A rally strap usually means large round holes near the lugs; "racing strap" is sometimes used for the same design and sometimes for other perforated styles. Check the photos.

Is a rally strap comfortable?

In our experience it feels like any leather strap of similar thickness. Comfort depends more on the leather, the construction and a well-chosen length than on the holes.

Does a rally strap suit a dress watch?

We find it looks out of place on a formal dress watch. For that, a plain slim strap in smooth leather usually sits better.

Can I get initials on a Hybrid Rally Pilot strap?

No. Free initials of up to 10 characters on the lining are available on our other straps, but not on the Hybrid Rally Pilot.