Vintage Ball Trainmaster - new strap

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charliem

·Jan 23, 2026

Hi all,

Time for a new strap. Figured I'd see what you all have to say in terms of what you think would look best.

I've had the black buffalo with white stitching since I bought this watch.

Would something else look better? Black, burgundy, brown? Stitch-free, stitch along the sides, stich at top of strap only?

I'd like to stay relatively loyal to the original issue so I'm thinking this time around to go with a plain calfskin strap, leaning toward burgundy/brown, with a contrasting stitch (image) from The House of Straps.

I'd like to try a strap this time around from www.thehouseofstraps.com - does anyone have any experience with them?

Thanks

Edited: Jan 23, 2026

 

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TexOmega

·Jan 23, 2026

Olive green and Suede are my goto straps

And this is how Ball marketed them

 

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charliem

·Jan 23, 2026

Thanks! Try as i might, I was unable to find marketing material showing how ball marketed them. I'm surprised they did not come with a more "workingman's" strap, something a bit more rugged.

What year is that from? I cannot make it out.

 

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redpcar

·Jan 23, 2026

Lizard as in the advert. 😉

 

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TexOmega

·Jan 23, 2026

C charliem

Thanks! Try as i might, I was unable to find marketing material showing how ball marketed them. I'm surprised they did not come with a more "workingman's" strap, something a bit more rugged.

What year is that from? I cannot make it out.

Croc and metal are both kinda rugged.

No idea on date of advertising

 

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charliem

·Jan 24, 2026

redpcar

Lizard as in the advert. 😉

Nice! Is that padded or non-padded?

 

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redpcar

·Jan 24, 2026

C charliem

Nice! Is that padded or non-padded?

No pads.

 

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charliem

·Jan 24, 2026

Interesting. Lugs are thick, I thought it would look better with a padded strap.

 

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redpcar

·Jan 24, 2026

Just checked again. Medium pad. Not totally flat.

 

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charliem

·Jan 24, 2026

Remember where you purchased? I recently purchased a beautiful pigskin strap from Bulang & Sons but would like to spend under $100.

 

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redpcar

·Jan 24, 2026

I have a bunch pulled from vintage watches. No brand just says "lizard" on the back. Sorry.