New Ideas in Refinement, DeLugs Micro Adjust CTS Deployant Clasp

Refinement is everything. Once your brain adapts to what you already know, it is easy to forget that things can be much better. Small refinements might not seem game changing on their own, but add a few of them to a product and the overall effect becomes undeniable, you cannot go back.

This is what DeLugs has been doing over the past few years, making small changes that steadily improve the wearing experience. This improvement mentality is admirable, setting small goals and evolving internally is, at least to me, the way forward.

Today we have the new DeLugs Micro Adjust CTS Deployant Clasp. At first glance it might seem like a niche product, and it is, but it is also something I cannot stop using. As the name suggests, the new Micro Adjust CTS clasp is a game changer for rubber cut to size straps. Why? There are several reasons, and we are here to explore them, and to describe what a great companion this small gadget is. Let us begin.

The specifications

One of the common issues with deployant clasps from other brands is that they feel cumbersome. They are thick, and they do not always align properly when closing. This is not the case with the newest DeLugs iteration. The refinement is not only in the mechanism, it is also in the execution. The brushing on the top surface matches perfectly with the sides, and the alignment is spot on.

The shape has also changed. The rounded edges feel nicer to the touch, and visually the beveling adds another level of sophistication. It is worth remembering that these accessories might be paired with watches that easily cost five figures, so the quality and finishing have to match.

Moving to the main change, the new micro adjust system is not only easy to use, it is effective. It offers two positions, one closed for a tighter fit, and one open for those hot days when the wrist expands. It is simple to operate, just pull or push to find the right length, and that is it. There are no gears or springs, which in my book is a good method. It allows the clasp to stay thin and compact, making it more elegant, which is key if it is going to pair well with any luxury watch.

As minor as it may sound, having that extra adjustment range not only improves comfort, it also means you can move the strap to another watch and still have a realistic chance of achieving a good fit. You are no longer locked into one exact setting.

Another benefit of this micro adjust system is that the fear of over cutting the strap is much less present. The fact that you can adjust it later makes you feel more at ease. Even when I cut a strap perfectly, I still have that thought in my head, what if I cut it too short?

On the wrist

There is no denying that this is a great fit for my 6.25 inch wrist. Luckily, I was able to pair it with a black CTS strap from DeLugs as well. The quality is present in the whole package, from opening the box to fitting it to the watch.

For this test, the watch was the new Tennet Argonaut, another Singaporean brand, just like DeLugs. To give some context, the watch itself has some heft, so I was a bit worried that after taking it off the supplied 904L metal bracelet, which is outstanding and includes micro adjustment as well, the head might be too much for a rubber strap. Instead, it was a match made in heaven. The firm structure of the 20mm CTS rubber, which tapers to 18mm, feels right at home and gives the Argonaut a new personality. It becomes sportier, yet with the newly designed clasp, everything still matches the polished and brushed surfaces of the case.

The watch stayed nicely in place, and because of the quick release system, changing the look is easy. I would travel with both the bracelet and the strap, which is great for two different occasions. It is hard not to get used to that kind of variety and ease of use, once you do, you cannot go back.

I wore the Tennet Argonaut for a full week, going to the gym, hiking, and doing other active sports. It excelled, and it naturally changes the character of the watch. The Argonaut is already a sports watch, but this setup provides even more versatility to what is already an outstanding package.

The rubber felt great, and the combination with steel made me appreciate the Tennet even more. In the end, that is what you want, an accessory that helps you rediscover a watch. It can feel like a new addition to a collection.

Concluding thoughts

There is no denying that this new CTS deployant clasp is a great addition for anyone who wants that luxury rubber wearing experience, especially when a brand does not offer a comparable option. The main reason is the clasp itself, it does not feel like a downgrade as a non OEM part, it feels like a compatible way to upgrade your watch.

When it comes to options, the new CTS deployant clasp is available in four variations, pink gold, yellow gold, black PVD, and the stainless steel version reviewed here.

The price is also very reasonable at 56 GBP, which I think is fair considering the execution and refinement it brings.

In my case, the Argonaut was already a well rounded package, and this strap and clasp setup provides versatility and the option to take it anywhere. It can morph from a stainless sports watch into an all occasion watch, and that can be achieved in a matter of seconds, a true GADA.

For more information, please visit https://delugs.com/pages/micro-adjust-cts-clasp

For more information on the Argonaut, please visit https://tennet.watch/