WHY do the straps smell like VANILLA!?!?

[Pilot2]

Yep! Both my Marathon GSAR, and the Isofrane rubber strap that came with my Shark Diver smell like vanilla. I kind of like it.

[MJK737]

I take it you do not like vanilla! Pity, I could post a DELICIOUS recipe for Vanilla and Coffee Marinated Venison (works with lamb too) I got from the Master Chef at the local RitzCarlton!

Can you PM me the recipe? I'll wear my SAR rubber whIle preparing.

Thanks!

[buffedupboy]

It smells like vanilla because the scent is added to mask the smell of... rubber. Not many people like their straps smelling of car tyres. Why vanilla, because it was probably one of the least offensive smelling scent that conveyed a sense of luxury. Actual vanilla essence is really expensive. Synthetic vanilla is what you are smelling.

It can be removed by boiling in water. Alternatively, you can also rub on your favourite perfume and that should alter the smell. Eventually the scent dissipates.

[Anatoly]

my UTS rubber smells pretty strong vanilla

[axelf71]

My ORIS TT1 rubber strap smells of vanilla,and after 2.5 yrs the smell hasn't seemed to lessen any. Apparently these straps are supposedly made from the exact same rubber used to make Formula 1 tyres, hence the radially grooved strap imitating a dry weather F1 tyre. I guess the vanilla fragrance is used to mask the natural rubber smell.

[Jake B]

I think it's been done for a long time now...I have a couple of NOS and vintage Tropic straps from the 60's - 70's era and they smell like that, too. The strap on my ol' Sinn 656 also smelled like that.

[WJBecker]

Re: WHY do the straps smell like VANILLA!?!?

I read somewhere that it was a coating used to mask the naturally unpleasant scent of rubber. Not sure if that's true... but I do know of a way to decreaes its potentcy though... submerge it in salt-water for an hour or two. It's naturally corrosive and breaks down the scent into a very faint and actually quite pleasant aura, and only noticeable when extremely close to the nose. Then again, after all the years of smoking, I can't be 100% sure it wasn't just that my ability to sense it falling short. ;D

I have over 80 salt water dives wearing my Isofrane strap, approx 100 hours plus in salt water. The vanilla smell is as strong today as when she first arrived.

[iinsic]

It smells like vanilla because the scent is added to mask the smell of... rubber. Not many people like their straps smelling of car tyres. Why vanilla, because it was probably one of the least offensive smelling scent that conveyed a sense of luxury. Actual vanilla essence is really expensive. Synthetic vanilla is what you are smelling.

You hit the nail on the head. Vanilla is considered an almost universally pleasing scent and is used in many forms for that purpose - perfumes, air fresheners, etc. And, of course, in cooking. Citrus and other aromas do not enjoy the same universal appeal. And, as you pointed out, nor does the smell of rubber.

The best straps are produced by the Italian firm of Bonetto Cinturini, which has been producing high-quality rubber straps for decades. They use a proprietary blend to produce straps that are especially resistant to both salt water and UV light ... and smell strongly of vanilla.

[Txemizo]

Here is the fix, go by more straps.

LOL. Exactly the kind of answer that strap makers are looking for.





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[Raza]

You hit the nail on the head. Vanilla is considered an almost universally pleasing scent and is used in many forms for that purpose - perfumes, air fresheners, etc. And, of course, in cooking. Citrus and other aromas do not enjoy the same universal appeal. And, as you pointed out, nor does the smell of rubber.

The best straps are produced by the Italian firm of Bonetto Cinturini, which has been producing high-quality rubber straps for decades. They use a proprietary blend to produce straps that are especially resistant to both salt water and UV light ... and smell strongly of vanilla.

I have to agree with you here. I have three Bonetto Cinturini straps (one came with my JSAR--I'm 99% sure it's BC, since I bought an identical strap from thewatchprince) and they are fantastic. One of them is a little thick for my taste, but that's my fault for choosing that model. Also, the "suave" models take to single fold deployant modifications very well.



Personally I love the vanilla smell. And these straps are reasonably priced ($30-35), so it's nice.