This strap is incredibly comfortable. It has the look of a Highley but is totally flexible from the start and the padding doesn't clamp the wrist. It's perfect for vintage style watches and the matte finish of the Whitby really works with the mainly brushed case and matte dial of this Explorer II tribute. The contrast stitching adds a subtle extra detail and the chestnut tone works brilliantly without being too 'matchy'. The strap and buckle do feel a bit flimsy compared with, say, an Italian V-stitch but then it's a totally different thing and my watch feels perfectly secure. It is a little shy at the six o'clock end but that's just a character of this strap. At first I wasn't sure about it but once it's worn in the vintage matte texture and ultra-flexible leather prove themselves to be a real virtue.