Tought choice, but here are some options...
The biggest challenge with the blue dial, blue bezel Bond SMP is finding something that looks right with the blue color of the watch and still looks good with a broad range of clothing. The blue watch really does not go well on any strap color other than a close matching blue--though a few people have reported being happy with it on a black strap.
I've tried a number of alternatives. Here they are in my order of preference:
- Omega blue rubber strap--any of their several versions, as shown on the Omega Bracelets and Straps section in the OMEGA ZONE.
- Dark blue sharkskin strap--as can be seen in the Seamaster Gallery. Note that only *some* shark straps are waterproof, try ones from Hirsch.
- Navy blue NATO nylon strap. A nice utilitarian look, though wives tend to tell you that these NATO straps are too geeky for everyday wear.
- Dark blue Kevlar strap. Note many blue Kevlar straps are a fairly bright blue, so make sure the blue you get is *dark*.
- Dark blue leather strap. Okay, but somehow not that exciting. The texture of sharkskin adds a lot more to the look than plain leather does.
In the end, I keep going back to the bracelet. It is the single most good looking and universally useful band to wear the Bond SMP on. Having owned mine for over four years, the scuffs are only a minor issue. I use techniques frequently described here to touch up the clasp and will have it professionally buffed every 5 years when it goes in for routine service.
Since it is impossible to keep a watch pristine and use it regularly, you simply have to learn to not give these minor mars unnecessary significance or attention. Had I realized that much earlier on, I would have saved myself the cost of the numerous strap options that I tried and was never quite satisfied with.
