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«Watch strap ressource» Where to buy good quality leather watch straps
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Dr.Sascha
·Myself, I have an upper limit on straps, which is $70. I also try, whenever possible, to get from small producers who use good leather and hand-make their stuff. So, here are the ones I've used and am happy with, in roughly ascending order of cost (though they're all pretty close):
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SarmatiaLeather?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=531876271
- SarmatiaLeather (ETSY). Great leathers, excellent crafsmanship, and a good guy to deal with. Excellent for more bespoke orders.
https://www.twostitchstraps.com/
- Twostitchstraps (mentioned earlier) amazing VFM, nice leathers, good finish, a real class operation
https://www.bandrbands.com/index.aspx
- Great leathers, great craftsmanship, great customer service. Really nice range of straps, too.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SarmatiaLeather?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=531876271
- Colareb. These guys are the bomb. You pay a bit of a premium, but their straps are really lovely.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/FOXTROTSTUDIOSHOP
- Foxtrot Studio. Amazing leather and craftsmanship. If you want leather NATOs/Zulus, look no farther. Also lovely to deal with.
For the larger producers when I want something a bit cheaper or more standard, Rios is good. Condor is excellent VFM. Hirsch and DeBeers are, imho, a bit overpriced for what you get, though I do have some nice straps from them and it's easier to get Teju Lizard, which is one of my favourites for formal straps.
How I choose straps is another matter. It's easy to just go with quality of leather--personally, I'm a fan of Horween, Crazy Horse, and Thoroughbred. I'm slowly but surely learning a bit more about stitching and burnishing, which makes a huge difference.
It's always worth checking out the Watch Parts and Accessories forum on OF to see if they have what you are looking for. OF folks are often selling very nice straps for far less than you would ordinarily pay, and the craftsmen that sell through their are top-notch. Just bought one recently from jankoxxx and his stuff is lovely. He's got a sale on now, which still has some wonderful pieces available . . . https://omegaforums.net/threads/dec...ovan-italian-cordovan-calf-and-others.124249/
Happy strapping!
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SarmatiaLeather?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=531876271
- SarmatiaLeather (ETSY). Great leathers, excellent crafsmanship, and a good guy to deal with. Excellent for more bespoke orders.
https://www.twostitchstraps.com/
- Twostitchstraps (mentioned earlier) amazing VFM, nice leathers, good finish, a real class operation
https://www.bandrbands.com/index.aspx
- Great leathers, great craftsmanship, great customer service. Really nice range of straps, too.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SarmatiaLeather?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=531876271
- Colareb. These guys are the bomb. You pay a bit of a premium, but their straps are really lovely.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/FOXTROTSTUDIOSHOP
- Foxtrot Studio. Amazing leather and craftsmanship. If you want leather NATOs/Zulus, look no farther. Also lovely to deal with.
For the larger producers when I want something a bit cheaper or more standard, Rios is good. Condor is excellent VFM. Hirsch and DeBeers are, imho, a bit overpriced for what you get, though I do have some nice straps from them and it's easier to get Teju Lizard, which is one of my favourites for formal straps.
How I choose straps is another matter. It's easy to just go with quality of leather--personally, I'm a fan of Horween, Crazy Horse, and Thoroughbred. I'm slowly but surely learning a bit more about stitching and burnishing, which makes a huge difference.
It's always worth checking out the Watch Parts and Accessories forum on OF to see if they have what you are looking for. OF folks are often selling very nice straps for far less than you would ordinarily pay, and the craftsmen that sell through their are top-notch. Just bought one recently from jankoxxx and his stuff is lovely. He's got a sale on now, which still has some wonderful pieces available . . . https://omegaforums.net/threads/dec...ovan-italian-cordovan-calf-and-others.124249/
Happy strapping!
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Reacher
·I posted this strap on another thread but I’ll post it here as well. I really like the xeric ribbed strap. Has a vintage look but to me it’s just right. Here is my 145.022-71 on it.
They come in multiple colors. I brushed mine with bleach to lighten it up to more of a Carmel color rather than darker brown.
They come in multiple colors. I brushed mine with bleach to lighten it up to more of a Carmel color rather than darker brown.
Edited:
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Evitzee
·I started collecting in the early 80's and there were almost no options back then. You were stuck using OEM straps ($$$) or whatever you might find at a watch/jewelry store. It was grim. Now there is a smorgasbord of straps from all over the world at all price levels, designs, materials, colors, and sizes. Even the more expensive aftermarket straps are better value than almost all OEM straps, imo. Some people still like OEM straps and that's fine, but it's a huge world out there now for straps.
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Pazzo
·Two Stitch Straps
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inchpincher
·Felt the need to positively endorse the handmade Christopher Clarke straps sold by Black Bough in the UK. I was so pleased with the wild boar version on my AirKing that a tan pig skin version just arrived today for my Constellation.
Trying hard to justify the two-watch case now...
https://www.blackbough.co.uk/found-in/watches/watch-straps/
Trying hard to justify the two-watch case now...
https://www.blackbough.co.uk/found-in/watches/watch-straps/
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JetLinks
·@inchpincher I know this is a strap thread but boy-oh-boy that's one SWEET dial on that Air King!!!
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inchpincher
·@inchpincher I know this is a strap thread but boy-oh-boy that's one SWEET dial on that Air King!!!
Thank you, linen dials are my kryptonite.
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cknight24
·Any recommendations on straps compatible with OEM/aftermarket single fold clasps? Most straps are either too thick for the clasp to work properly, and also have the tab cut out for the tang buckle. I know Genteel Handmade and JR are options, but any others?
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fibonacci
·Based partly on the recommendations in this thread I picked up an antique glossy brown leather strap from NOSTime for my salmon dial vintage chronograph. The leather's color varies depending on the light (just like the dial) but can show rich red and gold undertones at times. It was pricey, but I think I nailed it.
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Pazzo
·Two-Stitch Straps
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bthUK
·Any recommendations on straps compatible with OEM/aftermarket single fold clasps? Most straps are either too thick for the clasp to work properly, and also have the tab cut out for the tang buckle. I know Genteel Handmade and JR are options, but any others?
Here's one.
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Rudi99
·I think people already mentioned Matteo here, but I was really impressed with his work, expertise and service. He talked me through how to discern good quality leather and did an amazing job making this strap for my 2846 Seamaster. The strap is inspired by the original Omega straps of the 50s.
His name is Matteo Torre and you can check his stuff and contact him on instagram (torrestraps).
His name is Matteo Torre and you can check his stuff and contact him on instagram (torrestraps).
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torrestraps
·I think people already mentioned Matteo here, but I was really impressed with his work, expertise and service. He talked me through how to discern good quality leather and did an amazing job making this strap for my 2846 Seamaster. The strap is inspired by the original Omega straps of the 50s.
His name is Matteo Torre and you can check his stuff and contact him on instagram (torrestraps).
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MM935
·
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pdxleaf
·Ordered a finwatchstraps based on others suggestion. I was looking for a thinner strap and looked at NOS straps also based on other's suggestions. The fin was a bit cheaper so thought I would try them first. I still might try NOS straps later.
Note: they are giving me a 50 euro voucher for a review, which means i have a conflict. But i don't need 50 euros so bad to lie. If it were chocolate chip cookies then this would be the best strap ever made.
Anyway i don't know that much about straps as most of my watches have bracelets. This strap replaced an uncle seiko BOR that fit well and was comfortable. I am doing an apollo 11 35th anniversary mod so wanted a black strap with a bit of red to offset the white panda dial. That's the reason for the switch.
Wasn't sure how i would like the really thin strap but it works, visually and for comfort. It's surprisingly light, which might be that i am not used to leather. It's 20mm, which also works well. The holes for the spring bars are quite small so you will need thin bars. I didn't but theirs as I have some so can't say anything about them.
It's got the smooth sheen that i was going for looks wise, where it looked like a nice Italian leather jacket. I wasn't sure about not getting the edges colored but i like the effect. Keeps it dressy but less formal. The inside is lined with a suede like material but i don't know that it needed it. It was an add on.
Fairly soft out of the box. Probably won't take long to break it in. Looking forward to getting the dial installed next. I chose the burgundy thread for the red July 1969 script on the dial. I have a 7 1/4 inch wrist and the medium fits well with not too long or short.
For the voucher i have to mention: finwatchstraps - handmade in Finland.
EDIT: The watch dial swap is complete, which is why I purchased this particular strap:
Note: they are giving me a 50 euro voucher for a review, which means i have a conflict. But i don't need 50 euros so bad to lie. If it were chocolate chip cookies then this would be the best strap ever made.
Anyway i don't know that much about straps as most of my watches have bracelets. This strap replaced an uncle seiko BOR that fit well and was comfortable. I am doing an apollo 11 35th anniversary mod so wanted a black strap with a bit of red to offset the white panda dial. That's the reason for the switch.
Wasn't sure how i would like the really thin strap but it works, visually and for comfort. It's surprisingly light, which might be that i am not used to leather. It's 20mm, which also works well. The holes for the spring bars are quite small so you will need thin bars. I didn't but theirs as I have some so can't say anything about them.
It's got the smooth sheen that i was going for looks wise, where it looked like a nice Italian leather jacket. I wasn't sure about not getting the edges colored but i like the effect. Keeps it dressy but less formal. The inside is lined with a suede like material but i don't know that it needed it. It was an add on.
Fairly soft out of the box. Probably won't take long to break it in. Looking forward to getting the dial installed next. I chose the burgundy thread for the red July 1969 script on the dial. I have a 7 1/4 inch wrist and the medium fits well with not too long or short.
For the voucher i have to mention: finwatchstraps - handmade in Finland.
EDIT: The watch dial swap is complete, which is why I purchased this particular strap:
Edited:
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Pazzo
·.......
........................................ If it were chocolate chip cookies then this would be the best strap ever made.
...... The holes for the spring bars are quite small so you will need thin bars. I didn't but theirs as I have some so can't say anything about them.
re the 3 c's............... 😀
Not sure you used the thinner spring bars but if you did, then widen the holes which shouldn't be difficult and use 1.8mm ones instead.
Good luck with the review.
