The Kompas East - Strap Showcase

Kompas is a young brand founded in 2025 that has combined historical story telling with modern branding and inspiration. This may seem like an unusual combination, but it is not uncommon in this industry and seems to be working in their favour. The watches have been growing in popularity in Europe and are now available worldwide in general sale. So, what’s the story behind this slightly unusual looking and interestingly branded watch, and why is it worth your attention?

Our story starts in the midst of the second world war, 1940 to be precise, when the Luftwaffe was facing off against the RAF to gain air-supremacy over Britain which would later facilitate an invasion. Out-numbered and out-gunned it seemed inevitable that Britain would be crushed by the might of the German air force, but we had a trick up our sleeve. The Sector clock was developed for the specific role of aiding accurate tracking of enemy aircraft helping to calculate their speed, positioning and was easily readable at a glance, each triangle representing a 5-minute sector in time. Precision timing along with the later development of radar in Britain allowed air defences to triumph over the onslaught of German planes and led to what many describe as the turning point in the war.

Now, Kompas are not the first brand to take inspiration from the Sector clocks of the 1940s, but they are the first to implement this design into a modern field watch that also takes branding inspiration from the tech companies of today. The website, imagery, and packaging have not been stuck in the past but have been developed specifically to appeal to new audience familiar with buying new tech. The watch is made from sand-blasted stainless steel, features a three-dimensional dial, and is powered by a Miyota 9039. It’s also set to compete with field watches from the likes of Hamilton, Boldr, and even Seiko being priced at £535.

This is a unique watch deserves some unique strap options, so here are my five strap choices for the Kompas East.

I like contrast stitching. I also like leather, and I also like my straps to withstand some splashes, or rain showers every now and again. The Forge Astico Leather in the Polar colourway ticks all of those boxes. This strap is hand-crafted in Germany from Astico Matrix Leather, a specialised PU-coated split leather that looks a bit like woven fabric and is hydrophobic. That makes it the perfect match for a modern field watch. Durable, comfortable, classically styled, and adds a unique touch of detail to an already intriguing watch design.

Sometimes you can’t beat the originals. Our Ridge Military Nylon continues to be an extremely popular model and rightfully so. It’s durable, comfortable, fitted with high-quality hardware, and fits a wide array of watches. I have also utilised one of the Ridge’s other great features – the colour availability. You don’t always have to pick a black or grey nylon strap to make your watch look great. This Mustard Yellow is a complete contrast to any colours on the watch and that’s why I think it works so well. It’s bold but still lets the design of the Kompas shine through.

Staying on the contrast colour trend, here’s another great ‘out in the field’ option that’s a bit bold. The breakwater FKM Rubber strap was developed to carry the appeal and design language of sailcloth straps into a strap that is even more durable. This FKM rubber has been textured to sit comfortably on wrist, help with breathability on hot days, and complement the classic styling of watches. On this Kompas it speaks not only to the modern capabilities of the watch, but also to the vintage design inspiration from the second world war. The colour I picked might not be exactly vintage, but again I love how it stands out!

If you’re not a fan of the way nylon straps cover up your exhibition case back, then have I got the solution for you! This is the RidgeFlex, a strap made from the same material as the Ridge Nylon but now featuring a two-piece design and quick release spring bars. This strap has all the benefits of a nylon strap without the added thickness or obscuring the case back. I went for Army Green as it was time we got some complimentary colours in this list, and I think it shows that this watch is ready for action. We also added an extra little nod to the British military design by borrowing a Union Flag Insignia fabric loop from Zuludiver!

Keeping the green theme going now, this is the Lerano Tuscan leather padded strap. Every one of my lists needs a traditional style leather strap featured as it’s what I often wear on my own watches. The Tusciana leather used to craft this strap is famous for is waxed finish and luxurious feel. It’s deep colouration and ability to patina beautifully with wear adds to its vintage appeal. While most of my picks in this list have been modern, catering to the tech-savvy side of Kompas, this last pick highlights the timeless design of field watches and, of course, the sector clock.

Those were my five choices of strap from the WatcGecko lineup for the Kompas East field watch. Let me know which is your favourite and what your thoughts are on this watch in the comments below and I look forward to doing more of these strap showcases in the near future.