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Dr.Sascha
·Great suggestions here, many of which I've used
B and R Bands (US)
Twostitch straps (UK)
Finwatchstraps (Finnland)--their exotic work is especially interesting.
I would add Difues, especially for those interested in NATO/ZULU bands and adaptations of them, which is his sole speciality (there's a beauty in focus). He also pays _extraordinary_ attention to where he sources his leather and to the hardware, which is a lovely blend of classical and modern.
In terms of strap _philosophy_, as the saying goes, taste is not debatable (de gustibus non disputandum est). But my approach is threefold:
1.) Unless it's a beater (of which I have 3), I won't buy from the big strap-makers (Hadley-Roma, Hirsch, etc.). Their stuff is very high quality and good value, but I figure that if I am wearing a timepiece made by hand, then I should attach it to something also made by hand. If consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds, I guess that makes me an homonculus. It's not as if the cost is that much different.
2.) Short of a custom-made band, of which I have only three, I won't pay more than £40 for a strap. I'm not saying that you don't get finer stitching, a more refined finish, better hardware, etc. if you rock out £75+ on a strap, and if you have that to spend, go for it! But from my perspective, this is still just a 7" piece of leather, and when it gets into the price range where, for two straps, I could conceivably buy another (albeit modest) vintage watch, or a service on one of my existing pieces, well . . . straps come and go, but watches remain, no?
3.) I'm wary of the prestige attached to Cordovan, Horween, etc. A mate of mine works for Prada, and he's made me thoroughly cynical about it with his argument that Cordovan has made a name for themselves and secured a monopoly, and they are now leveraging that to full effect when there are lots of other excellent leathers out there that match or exceed it in character, aesthetic appeal, and durability. Again, opinions may differ on this one.
All of which is to say, go ahead and strap one on, and don't let anyone tell you it's wrong!
B and R Bands (US)
Twostitch straps (UK)
Finwatchstraps (Finnland)--their exotic work is especially interesting.
I would add Difues, especially for those interested in NATO/ZULU bands and adaptations of them, which is his sole speciality (there's a beauty in focus). He also pays _extraordinary_ attention to where he sources his leather and to the hardware, which is a lovely blend of classical and modern.
In terms of strap _philosophy_, as the saying goes, taste is not debatable (de gustibus non disputandum est). But my approach is threefold:
1.) Unless it's a beater (of which I have 3), I won't buy from the big strap-makers (Hadley-Roma, Hirsch, etc.). Their stuff is very high quality and good value, but I figure that if I am wearing a timepiece made by hand, then I should attach it to something also made by hand. If consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds, I guess that makes me an homonculus. It's not as if the cost is that much different.
2.) Short of a custom-made band, of which I have only three, I won't pay more than £40 for a strap. I'm not saying that you don't get finer stitching, a more refined finish, better hardware, etc. if you rock out £75+ on a strap, and if you have that to spend, go for it! But from my perspective, this is still just a 7" piece of leather, and when it gets into the price range where, for two straps, I could conceivably buy another (albeit modest) vintage watch, or a service on one of my existing pieces, well . . . straps come and go, but watches remain, no?
3.) I'm wary of the prestige attached to Cordovan, Horween, etc. A mate of mine works for Prada, and he's made me thoroughly cynical about it with his argument that Cordovan has made a name for themselves and secured a monopoly, and they are now leveraging that to full effect when there are lots of other excellent leathers out there that match or exceed it in character, aesthetic appeal, and durability. Again, opinions may differ on this one.
All of which is to say, go ahead and strap one on, and don't let anyone tell you it's wrong!
