AP may have been away for six long years, but their return to the Watches and Wonders show was no small affair. The highlight of the event was without a doubt the many rubber items that the Royal Oak, Royal Oak Offshore, and Code 11.59 lines were equipped with in order to create lighter versions of the watches, specifically designed for everyday wear. Rubber watch straps can be an easy fix to an otherwise museum-like Diver or Royal Oak Offshore, completely renovating the timepiece to be much more functional for an everyday kind of wearer, without the need to change out the entire case and/or movement.
The AP Rubber Watch Strap Advantage for Everyday Wear
Rather than wear a watch with a heavy, inflexible bracelet around your wrist all day, an Audemars Piguet rubber watch strap offers far greater flexibility. Made from the lightest and most flexible materials, rubber straps are by far the most practical way to wear your watch on a daily basis. They cut the weight of the strap from your wrist and allow your watch to settle into place, without any pulling or discomfort.
On top of it feeling much better to wear around your neck, a rubber strap is also far more resistant to moisture. So whether you’re swimming for sport, training in the gym, going on frequent travels, or even just living in a particularly humid climate, a rubber Audemars Piguet strap is the ideal option. Just as the case of your watch is built to withstand the elements, so too is your rubber strap.
Another advantage of rubber straps for an Audemars Piguet watch is style. A rubber strap for a Royal Oak Offshore watch gives a much more contemporary look and feel than a polished strap. The rubber will also accentuate the ‘sporty-luxury’ credentials of the watch. You can try out a rubber strap for your Audemars Piguet watch without committing to any major changes, as they are completely reversible.
The Audemars Piguet preference for rubber watch straps as a core element of a number of designs and for everyday wear is most definitely not a niche within the wider world of Audemars Piguet watches. In terms of design direction that was clearly articulated by the various Watches and Wonders 2026 exhibitors, the preference for smaller and lighter cases, made from greater use of titanium than previously, as well as straps made from rubber, is now a core element of the so-called sport-luxury watch and will, in all probability, become a core element of the wider world of watches over the next few years.
Choosing the Right AP Rubber Watch Strap for Your Royal Oak Offshore
When selecting an AP Rubber Watch Strap, first we must note the sizing for the reference number of your Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore watch. The AP Diver 15703 uses a 28x24MM strap. The 44MM Royal Oak Offshore, often called the ROO, takes a wider 30x24MM strap. Mixing these up means a strap that either won’t seat against the lugs or won’t sit flush at the buckle, so confirming your reference number before ordering saves a return down the line.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Diver 15703 Reference Number: The Diver 15703 uses a 28x24MM strap. The 44MM Royal Oak Offshore (referred to by many in the watch world simply as the ROO) uses a wider 30x24MM strap. Be sure to check your watch reference number for the proper width. Also, be sure to check strap length. Most AP Diver 15703 rubber straps run 115MM on the long side and 75MM on the short side, which fits the majority of wrist sizes comfortably. If you tend to run noticeably small or large on the wrist, it’s worth measuring your current strap against these numbers to confirm a new strap of the same length will feel identical.
Longer straps, typically around 115mm in length, are generally designed to fit wrists that fall into the larger category. AP reference numbers, however, are not interchangeable between strap widths and so would need to be specified to ensure the correct width of rubber is supplied. Also, bear in mind that a rubber watch strap is designed to be flexible, and while some degree of give is normal, if a strap feels too slack or too taut then it is likely to be the wrong size for your wrist.
If you're restoring a Diver 15703, the Audemars Piguet Diver 15703 OEM Black Rubber Tang Strap 28x24MM is built to the exact factory dimensions for that case, so it seats correctly without any gap at the lugs. For the 44MM ROO case, the Audemars Piguet OEM Gray Rubber Tang Strap 30x24MM gives you a lighter, more understated tone that pairs especially well with titanium references. Both are genuine AP rubber straps rather than aftermarket copies, which matters more than color choice once you factor in long-term fit and durability.
Why Genuine OEM Matters When You Shop an AP Rubber Watch Strap
Please note that not all rubber watch straps on the internet are what they say to be. These OEM straps have been made with the exact same rubber compound as the straps supplied with new AP watches, and are made to the exact same geometry as the tangs on your watch case. That means that, unlike cheap imitations, these rubber straps will sit exactly as AP intended them to, all the way around your wrist, and not be slightly proud at the lugs, or wear unevenly within a year or so.
Buying a genuine OEM strap can also keep the value of your watch when you decide to resell it. As you probably know from Watches and Wonders 2026, the case of a watch is made to withstand the worst of the conditions, but the band is not. It is only held together with some glue and stretchy material. It can easily get damaged if not taken care of properly. Most of the serious collectors and even some dealers won’t even consider purchasing a watch with a strap that is not an OEM band.
OEM Rubber compounds for watch straps are made to last long and keep their flexibility even after exposure to sun, salt water etc. In contrast lower cost alternatives will start to harden at the folds after a year or so. This makes a big difference when worn everyday as a comfort factor.
If instead of black you like navy-colored rubber straps for your AP watches, the Audemars Piguet Diver 15703 OEM Navy Rubber Tang Strap 28x24MM is another genuine OEM part for your Royal Oak Offshore watches. It is a navy-colored rubber strap, with same 28x24MM dimensions as the above-mentioned black rubber strap for AP Diver 15703 watches.
Where a Trusted Watch Band & Straps Store Makes the Difference
There are many specialist watch band & straps stores selling on-line that stock the rubber watch strap in all colors for all AP models. In particular, note that watches and straps are usually sold separately from buckles (or clasps as they are also known). When therefore you are looking to fit a new rubber watch strap, you may also need to purchase a buckle to match it, or indeed to replace an existing buckle. This is why we also stock, as OEM, Audemars Piguet buckles. In addition to looking for a suitable supplier of these, be aware that a strap and buckle worn together will look unsightly if they are not of the correct width, so it is essential to check in advance of purchase the exact lug width of your watch, and the width of the buckle-end of your proposed rubber strap. This is particularly important because the width of the buckle-end will determine whether or not the strap will sit securely against the lugs of your watch. Then check for the following details on the web page of any on-line supplier: a) straps and b) buckles (and in the latter case, where do the clasps sit on the strap?). Additionally, note that a watch strap is usually wider at the mid-point than at each end, and a watch buckle is, by definition, wider at the end that attaches to the watch strap than at the end that attaches to the watch. We also stock, as OEM, straps for other well-known watch models, such as the Panerai straps and other AP models. Our on-line store also carries a wide range of watch straps, including other brands such as Breitling, and IWC straps and even oddity items, such as IWC leather NATO watch straps.
A strap can also be worn out faster than a watch band. Buckles wear out fast because of scratches, lose pins, or even a tarnished finish. Replacing a buckle is in most cases enough to make your watch look like new again. This 24MM Tang Stainless Steel Buckle for the Audemars Piguet watches is a genuine OEM replacement and will match your 28x24MM rubber strap with a 24MM buckle end. This buckle is made of stainless steel and is very durable.
When shopping online for watch bands and straps, the ideal online retailer would provide customers with easy-to-browse online catalogues for all watches, including straps specifically designed for each watch model, rather than only providing straps for other watches by different manufacturers. Instead, online retailers of watch bands and straps provide customers with a way of shopping online for watch parts, without having to suffer from trying to guess which strap will fit.
There is also the benefit of being able to source a number of different branded watch straps and watch buckles, in addition to the Audemars Piguet watch straps already detailed. In the case of Watch Band & Straps, for example, a number of brands including Panerai, Breitling, IWC and, of course, Audemars Piguet are all stocked. Therefore, rather than having to search for individual online retailers that sell rubber watch straps for example, for your other high-end timepieces, you can simply visit the online store of Watch Band & Straps.
Watches and Wonders 2026 came and we learned more about the direction in which watches, particularly those designed as sports-luxury watches, are heading. And one of the main elements of this new direction, that of the case, is that it is going to be smaller. That it will be lighter. That there will be more titanium in it. And that rubber is going to be a core material. In other words, a watch strap is going to be as much a part of a watch as the case and the dial. And if you are currently wearing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore or a Diver then we have a number of AP rubber watch straps for you to choose from.
The AP rubber watch straps are listed together with the AP watch buckles, including AP Diver 15703 watch buckles. And each strap and buckle is shown together with a number of high quality images. As a result, it is very easy to find an AP rubber watch strap or buckle that fits your Royal Oak Offshore or Diver watch. We also have a wide selection of straps for other luxury watch brands, including Panerai watch straps, Breitling watch straps, and IWC watch straps. And each of these watch brands also has a wide range of different buckles. We therefore hope to be of use to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is an AP rubber watch strap made from?
Genuine AP rubber watch straps use a vulcanized rubber compound engineered for flexibility, water resistance, and long-term durability, matching the material used on the watch when it left the factory.
2. How do I know which AP rubber strap size fits my watch?
Check your reference number first. The AP Diver 15703 uses a 28x24MM strap, while the 44MM Royal Oak Offshore uses a 30x24MM strap. The first number is lug width and the second is buckle-end width.
3. Are AP rubber straps sold with a buckle included?
No, straps and buckles are sold separately at most watch band & straps stores, including this one. Confirm your buckle-end width so the tang buckle you choose matches the strap.
4. Is a genuine OEM Audemars Piguet rubber strap worth the extra cost over an aftermarket copy?
Yes. OEM straps match the original factory geometry precisely, hold up better over time, and preserve the watch's resale value, which aftermarket alternatives often can't guarantee.
5. Can an AP rubber watch strap be used for swimming?
Yes. Genuine AP rubber straps are water-resistant and built to handle swimming, sweat, and humidity, making them a practical choice for active daily wear.
6. Will an AP rubber strap fit the standard Royal Oak, not just the Offshore?
No. Straps built for the Royal Oak Offshore and Offshore Diver use different lug dimensions than the standard Royal Oak, so always confirm compatibility with your exact case before ordering.
7. How often should I replace an AP rubber strap?
Most owners replace a rubber strap every few years depending on wear, exposure to sun and chlorine, and how often the watch is worn, though genuine OEM rubber tends to hold its shape longer than aftermarket versions.
8. What's the difference between a 20MM and 24MM AP tang buckle?
The buckle size must match your strap's buckle-end width. A 28x24MM strap needs a 24MM buckle, while a 28x20MM strap needs a 20MM buckle — they are not interchangeable.
9. Can I buy just a replacement buckle without a new strap?
Yes. If your original strap is still in good shape but the buckle is worn or scratched, a genuine OEM tang buckle can be purchased on its own from a dedicated watch band & straps store.
10. Does switching to a rubber strap affect my AP's warranty or value?
Using a genuine OEM AP rubber strap does not affect the watch's value, since it matches factory specifications. Keeping the original bracelet or strap stored safely is still recommended if you plan to sell the watch later.