The Brodinkee x StrapHabit Men Wear Pink 2024

Okay, confession - any other media outlet that pokes fun at Hodinkee I am predisposed to like. With that being said, and without taking any further shots... okay, maybe one - are you like, required to be male and sport an "Amish Outlaw" to work there?

Okay, now I'm really done ; )

Every year, for (I believe) the past two or three years, a special pink rubber strap has been made with the proceeds going to support cancer research (specifically Breast Cancer) by donating proceeds to the American Cancer Society. It has taken on somewhat legendary status, known far and wide as The Brodinkee x StrapHabit Men Wear Pink strap.This year I took the plunge and ordered mine -

And I have to say that not only do I have a positive feeling about supporting a worthy cause, I am very impressed by the quality of the strap and buckle!

And the fact that StrapHabit is based in my home state of Ohio is the icing on this particular watch related cake.

Here are the pertinents, per StrapHabit:

After raising over $10,000 for breast cancer in 2022 and over $20,000 in 2023, Bro and StrapHabit have teamed up to support the American Cancer Society again in 2024!

This year we've based it on StrapHabit's favorite strap available, the FKM Deployant Rubber. We've taken that strap and rendered it in a 10th color. This year it's a shade of pink that is brighter and more saturated than last year. The Brodinkee x StrapHabit logo is hidden inside of the deployant.

Show your support of a friend or loved one who has battled cancer right on your wrist!

Donation info

At the end of breast cancer month (October), StrapHabit will donate the total purchase cost ($49) for each strap sold to Bro's fundraiser.

Product info:

FKM rubber two-piece deployant watch strap with quick-release springbars. Available in 19mm, 20mm, 21mm, and 22mm lug widths.

The deployant design means that the tail end of the strap is captured and will not flop around. A polished buckle with twin triggers keeps your watch secure but is quick to take on and off.

Twelve tightly-spaced adjustment holes mean these straps will fit well on any wrist around 6 to 8.25 inches, and can be finely adjusted to get the perfect fit.

The underside of the strap features a recess to keep your wrist cool. The size and a subtle StrapHabit logo are also molded in the FKM rubber.

 

Our StrapHabit Rubber straps are extremely durable, and comfortable. The deep colors look fantastic! Quick-release springbars allow you to quickly swap straps in seconds without tools.

These straps are genuine FKM rubber. They feel nearly as soft and flexible as silicone but are much stronger, and resistant to picking up fuzz or cracking. In the photos, you can see how flexible they are, and that they can be completely folded without stretching or cracking.

Compared to traditional vulcanized rubber, FKM adds increased durability, and chemical and heat resistance.

The Brodinkee x StrapHabit Men Wear Pink 2024 is very reasonably priced at $49.00 US and is available in 19mm, 20mm, 21mm, and 22mm sizes.

Bros Before...

In reading the tea leaves from the latest Brodinkee Instagram posting, it would appear more than likely that Hodinkee has cut loose a few (or more) now "former" staffers. Following the not so long-ago purge of more than a few former loyal employees, it would seem that the good ship Hodinkee is still taking on water, and more ballast is finding its way over the side. 

It would seem that $40,000,000.00 doesn't go as far as it used to...

I continue to be amazed by the machinations at the top of Watch Town's Fourth and Fifth Estates. But then again, I am just a small-time solo act, so what do I know?

Well, I'm glad you asked!

As you may or may not know, the only major watch fair still operating in the real world instead of "IMAGINE-Land" is Watches and Wonders. More importantly, Watches and Wonders is invitation only to the press. And now the next question you might have - "How do they decide who is invited?" Well, not unlike any other decision making process that is conducted by people who are still living out their High School glory days, it is a pretty thinly veiled popularity contest with the formerly unpopular kids finally getting to sit at the popular kids table, and they now get to flex. It goes something like this:

The media / marketing representatives for each participating brand will have a regional convocation to decide press invitees. This is organized by that highly transparent and wonderfully unbiased organization known as the FHH (excuse me while I die laughing). The names of potential invitees are put forward, and (at least in the recent past) if one brand blackballs you, you will not be invited. You may well have appointment invitations in-hand from 99% of the brands, but it only takes one brand to get you banned. Simple as that. Now also curious to relate, Hodinkee and other big outlets will get 5 - 10 invitations. Think about that for a moment - one outlet will get up to 10 spots. Independent, or let's be honest, less-sexy journalists who actually write whether they are paid or not? Typically the answer by those handing out the invites at the Watches and Wonders Rose Ceremony is  "Space is limited and we just can't invite everyone we'd  like to." 

And here is where I call bullshit.

The truth of the matter is quite easy to understand. Richemont, and now by extension the other "haute" brands (which now includes ORIS?) are not really even a little bit interested in diverse coverage. Or perhaps it is fairer to lay that truth at the doorstep of the FHH. Just as they want the disciples of Watch Town to keep their eyes on their shiny objects, these brand flaks can't seem to take their eyes off of their preferred (read compliant) shiny media objects. It's a wonderfully symbiotic relationship.

So to my fellow independent journos out there, take heart. If things don't improve at some of these other big outlets, there might just be an extra press invitation or two, providing you get past the velvet rope of the FHH's beauty pageant ; )