The ISOfrane® strap is one of the great names in dive-watch history. Born in the 1960s, retired for decades, and revived by Synchron, its story runs from the golden age of scuba to a modern reissue and even a cache of unworn 1970s stock.
Born in the depths
The original ISOfrane® strap was developed during the golden era of scuba exploration. Steel bracelets were durable but heavy and awkward under the movement of a dive. ISOfrane® offered a supple, highly flexible strap that resisted saltwater and UV and was vented with distinctive vertical slots to reduce sweat and increase breathability. Its design was as iconic as it was functional, and dive-watch makers including Aquastar, Doxa, and Omega paired it with their flagship models.
Discontinued, then sought after
In time, production of the original ISOfrane® strap ceased. What had been standard dive kit became a collector’s piece, prized for its comfort, durability, and unmistakable look. Synchron revived the strap in 2010, staying faithful to the original design and making it once more in Italy.
The VS 1969 revival
More recently, Synchron reissued the strap as the ISOfrane® VS 1969. It stays true to the original 1969 design ethos while upgrading the core material to vulcanised rubber for greater strength and elasticity, with no silicone, no FKM, and no PFA. It is a reissue that honours the heritage rather than reinventing it.
New old stock: 1979, unworn
There is one more chapter. A quantity of genuine ISOfrane® straps made in 1979 survived, well preserved in special greased packaging paper, never worn and never used. Offered as new old stock, they are a rare chance to own an original from the era.
Frequently asked questions
When was the ISOfrane® strap introduced?
In the 1960s. It became the go-to ventilated rubber alternative to steel dive bracelets.
Why did the original ISOfrane® strap disappear?
Production of the original strap ceased, and it became a sought-after piece of dive-watch history until Synchron revived it in 2010.
What is the ISOfrane® VS 1969?
A reissue that stays true to the original 1969 design while upgrading the material to modern vulcanised rubber, with no silicone, FKM, or PFA.
What is a NOS ISOfrane® strap?
New old stock: genuine ISOfrane® straps made in 1979 and preserved unused in special greased packaging paper, offered new and unworn.
