Strapaholics is the premier community for Watch Strap enthuisiats discuss and review watch straps.
Latest Blog Posts:I’ve just posted my second review for PVR Punavuoren Ranneke straps from Finland. This is an incredibly interesting strap from the strap company and features a Burbot Fish Skin strap crafted by Liisa Saarni, a native of the Finnish Archipelago. I hope you enjoy the review!
Model: Galateia Burbot Fish Strap
Thickness: 1.5mm
Width: 24mm
Length: 270mm
Keeper Type: 2 Rings
Stitch Color: Red
Edge Finish: Raw Cut
Price: €99.00
A review of a premium strap brand from Vietnam, this is LPV Bespoke Leather. They make some very nicely priced premium exotic leather straps like this Crocodile strap here. Their straps are padded and can be made to fit OEM buckles as well, making them an affordable OEM replacement. Check out the full LPV Bespoke Leather strap review.
Model: Anticatura Godiva Brown
Thickness: 4.5mm at thickest padding
Length: 78/122
Keeper Type: 1 Fixed, 1 Floating
Stitch Color: Golden
Edge Finish: Painted
Price: $160.00
I’ve reviewed a couple of Jack Foster’s Panerai Straps on PaneraiSource, but now I have a couple of his straps for non-Panerai watches that I’m taking a look at. Hope you guys enjoy the review. Jack Foster is a new strap maker that has only been around for a year or so, from the USA. All straps are handmade by Matt Crowder, the owner of the company.
From left to right, the first strap is the Desert Tan Horween Chromexcel strap in 20mm width and the second one is the Goldenrod Horween Chromexcel in 22mm width. The Desert Tan strap is from their Premium line, and the Goldenrod from the standard line. These straps generally follow a minimalist approach to their designs, and have a distinctly vintage feel to them as well. What appears to distinguish the two lines of straps is the amount of stitching and handiwork required to construct the straps, as both lines use the same premium leathers.
First lets take a look at the desert tan Horween Chromexcel strap from the premium line, featuring a single black floating Black Chromexcel keeper. I like the look of the wider keeper, but I kind of like fixed keepers as well so I guess this is a good compromise if you are going for the single keeper look. But then again I don’t mind a little bit of tail sticking out past the keeper so I could live with a single fixed wide keeper on this. I do like the idea of it being black though, adds a bit of contrast. The stitching is minimal, but is single strip across on all major stress points.
The backs of these straps are raw and unfinished, which gives it a style all its own, though I generally like to see a lined back I can understand that it takes time and costs money which also drives up the price of the strap. Jack-Foster straps are priced very competitively and unfinished strap backs are I think a good way to keep the costs down for the buyers without sacrificing the quality of the leather. These are 100% American Hand Made straps using Premium American leathers here – and priced at under $50 for many of them! That’s almost unheard of value. I can think of maybe a handful of strapmakers (mostly on Etsy) maybe that are comparable but not the exact same product.
Overall the premium strap is solid, and I kind of like the way the stamping is done on the back as well. A superb value at $58USD. Next lets look at a standard line strap that features a bit less stitching.
This is the Goldenrod Chromexcel strap, and is from Jack Foster’s standard line, featuring minimal stitching, only at the edges at major stress points. Super simple construction, but prices the strap at only $49USD, which is a very good price. Same as the premium strap above, this one features premium Horween Chromexcel leather, and is unfinished on the back. This one has two keepers, one fixed and one floating, however, which I think gives a slightly more secure fit on the strap. The Goldenrod Chromexcel has fantastic character and great texture. I really love this stuff.
The thread is from Main Thread Company, which is also all made in the USA. Everything about these straps is made in the USA, which is kind of a cool thing.
The back of the strap is pretty much the same as the premium line strap, showing the exposed underside of the leather and unlined. Jack Foster also carries some higher-end premium straps that feature a full foldover construction so that the backs are smoother on the wrist, like the Panerai straps I reviewed, priced at right around $85USD. This adds to the comfort level of the straps, but of course also adds a little bit to the price of the straps as well. But really for $49 I am not going to complain!
Great straps for this American Strapmaker, providing some very affordable high-quality leather alternatives for watch collectors. His Panerai line is a very good value and I am excited to see how it expands as this is just the beginning for this new Strapmaker.
Desert Tan Horween Chromexcel
Stitching: Black Waxed Cord from Maine Thread Company
Keeper: 1 Floating Black Chromexcel
Buckle: brushed metal
Edges: Raw
Width: 20mm
Length: 120/80mm without the buckle
Thickness: Approx. 2mm
MSRP: $58
Goldenrod Horween Chromexcel
Stitching: Black Waxed Thread from Maine Thread Company
Keeper: 1 Floating, 1 Fixed
Buckle: Brushed Metal
Edges: Raw
Length: 120/80mm without the buckle
Thickness: Approx. 2mm
MSRP: $49
The Strap Geek is a newcomer to the Panerai Strapmaker world and brings his passion for Panerai Watches with him. Based in the Netherlands, he makes all his straps 100% by hand using Italian and Horween tanned leathers and 100% French Linen Thread. No corners are cut on materials and he provides a great value. Check out the full review here.
Model: Italian Brown Veg Tanned
Lug Width: 24mm
Thickness: 5mm
Keeper Type: 1 Floating, 1 Fixed
Stitch Color: White/Natural
Edge Finish: Burnished
Price: $99
My first review of relative newcomer to the strap world Jack Foster. I actually have a couple of non-Panerai straps from Jack Foster that will be reviewed in a month or so, but for now I have reviewed two of their latest Panerai straps. Solid American Made straps from American tanned premium leather from Horween and Hermann Oak tanneries.
Model: Hand Dyed Antique Brown Veg Tanned
Lug Width: 24mm
Thickness: 2.5mm
Keeper Type: 1 Floating
Stitch Color: White
Edge Finish: Burnished
Price: $125
Model: Black Chromexcel Strap
Lug Width: 24mm
Thickness: 3.5mm
Keeper Type: 1 Floating
Stitch Color: Racing Green
Edge Finish: Burnished
Price: $105
Review of a Citizen Eco-Drive strap in leather with Crocodile print model 59-S50748 that fits the now discontinued Citizen Men’s AP1030-02E Calibre 8651 Watch. This was generously provided by Total Watch Repair. This strap is of decent quality, probably Asian made but well made and has a cool molded end. This is generally a fairly expensive feature on watches like Hadley Roma and other manufacturers that make the molded ends.
Black leather with black machine stitching done quite well. Deployant Buckle is included all for around $40… when you compare that with a Premium strap and buckle from a company like Omega or Breitling, the cost seems so low since most premium straps and buckles can cost up to $1000!
Its a reasonably well-done corcodile print, though still pretty obvious that its not real crocodile when you see it up close. I personally do not like fake crocodile, and generally would rather have real croc or plain leather.
Overall a decent strap, seems to suit the level of the watch it was designed for. 21mm in lug width and includes a buckle and molded ends.. a solid buy.
A third review of these awesome straps from Mr. TipTop on Paneraisource. Just can’t get enough of these awesome straps from Denmark, hand-crafted with the utmost care and attention to detail. These three straps feature a bit more variance than the others I have reviewed, with some cool Buffalo Nubuck leather and a strap crafted by their oldest master craftsman, a gentleman of 83 years old! Probably has most experience than any other strapmaker out there. Check it out!
Specs:
Model: TipTop Buffalo Nubuck Distressed
Lug Width: 24mm
Length: 145/95mm
Thickness: 4.5mm
Keeper Type: 1 Fixed, 1 Floating
Stitch Color: White
Edge Finish: Smooth Burnished
Price: €199
Model: TipTop Camoflage Croupon
Lug Width: 24mm
Length: 145/95mm
Thickness: 4.5mm
Keeper Type: 1 Fixed, 1 Floating
Stitch Color: Golden Light Brown
Edge Finish: Raw Burnished
Price: €199
Model: TipTop Double Croupon Dark Brown
Lug Width: 24mm
Length: 145/95mm
Thickness: 4.5mm
Keeper Type: 1 Fixed, 1 Floating
Stitch Color: Khaki
Edge Finish: Raw Burnished
Price: €199
I’ve reviewed the Hadley Roma Alligator print straps before, and this one is in a slightly different 20mm size. Generously provided by Total Watch Repair, who is a dealer for Hadley-Roma. They Hadley Roma straps are great, especially these Breitling-style straps that are great OEM replacements.
This one is a dark brown calfskin, with faux alligator print on it. The stitching, as with most of the Breitling style Hadley Roma straps is a bit too far from the edge, but it still looks good. And at the price of $29.95 a strap, its far more affordable than a $200 OEM Breitling.
The Alligator print is nicely done on these, without being too obviously printed. A genuine Crocodile or Alligator will run you close to $200 from Hadley Roma, and close to $500 from Breitling. Definitely the cost-effective choice to go this route.
The back is lined with a soft, nubuck style liner that is very comfortable on the wrist. Features one fixed and one floating keeper, sames as OEM Breitling straps. This 20R strap tapers 2mm to 18mm at the buckle. Great reliable straps, highly recommended.
G.L.C. Straps is an Italian Atelier, with a special focus on Panerai Straps. Very interesting looking straps with Italian flare – take a look at the review!
Model: VINTAGE LEATHER STRAP PANERAI M5 5
Thickness: 3.5mm
Length: 80/125
Keeper Type: 1 Fixed, 1 Floating
Stitch Color: Beige
Edge Finish: Painted
Price: €85.00
Model: STRAP PANERAI M5 LEATHER VINTAGE 31
Thickness: 4.0mm
Length: 80/125
Keeper Type: 1 Fixed, 1 Floating
Stitch Color: Beige
Edge Finish: Painted
Price: €85.00
See the full review here.
Dassari Bell & Ross Cayenne Saffiano Black with White Stitch Review
Dassari has been making mid-priced straps for some time, and is quite known among watch buyers. Information on their site is sufficiently vague as to their country of origin (or countries), which means they are likely made in China or somewhere in Asia. At any rate, that doesn’t really mean much as there are plenty of fantastic straps coming out of Asia these days. I see a lot of them on eBay, but this sample was procured from Strapsco.
I picked up this strap for my Bell & Ross BR03-92, since I wanted a black leather strap for it but wasn’t sure if I wanted to fork out the cash for something custom made yet. I already have several straps for it, but nothing that is black and leather surprisingly. You can see the Saffiano texturing on it, reminds me of Prada’s Saffiano leather, though not quite as nice. I’d like to make one observation on the strap, and its a small complaint regarding the quality control. There is a funny stitch close to the lug end of the long tail of the strap, where it looks like three short stitches instead of two regular ones making the stitching look uneven. It doesn’t drive me crazy, but I can see it bothering many people.
It comes in a quaint little double cello bag that works well, courtesy of StrapsCo. No frills, but it does the job and doesn’t look cheap. I also like it better than those hard plastic snap cases that Hadley Roma and some other companies use that look so dated. They remind me of buying straps at the department store “watch repair” shop. The places that really only know how to change your batteries. I’m not sure what kind of packaging another online retailer would use, however.
The back of the strap features nice soft tan leather lining, which is very comfortable against the wrist. I wore this strap quite a few times and it is quite soft and pliable. It does have some rigid padding at the wider part of the strap so it conforms to your wrist after a couple times of wearing it. Its marked with the Dassari logo, and the lug width.
Here’s a close up of the Saffiano leather, and as you can see, not quite Prada quality close-up but it does have a nice look to it. Its got a slight sheen to it, but not overly shiny and goes well with the Bell & Ross. My wrist is 6.75″, and the strap wears on the middle hole, with roughly an inch to spare in size both larger and smaller.
Finally here’s a shot of it mounted on my Bell & Ross BR03-92, unfortunately to get the best shot I had to show it from the back! But I also wanted to show it mounted with the original B&R buckle. As you can see it fits perfectly, with the wide tang perfectly fitting the holes. Overall very happy with the strap, especially given the modest cost and great service from StrapsCo.
Specs:
Size: 24mm
Color: Black w/ White Stitching
Total Length: 190mm (115/75)
Buckle: Black Coated Stainless Steel
Thickness: 5mm – 3mm
Material: Genuine Leather