Made some straps
Discussion
I've been collecting some tools, leather and other bits and pieces for a while to make a few watch straps. Had some spare time over christmas so I thought I'd give it a go.
Here's what I've done so far:
1. A black replacement Diesel strap with contrasting bright orange lining.
A friend's (horrible...) watch needed a new strap. I said I'd give it a go but didn't realise how tricky this would be. It's 28mm at the lugs, going down to a 26mm buckle but instead of a normal 'loop' at the watch end for the spring bar this has shaped plastic inserts with no room to loop the leather around and back on itself. The leather is glued to the front and back of the insert and on the original strap the front part of the strap overlaps the sides of the plastic insert slightly and is shaved very thin, to allow it to stick to the sides as well.
I'm not totally happy with this because I think the leather needed to be shaved much thinner at the watch end to sit flush with the face, and to wrap round the edges of the insert. It's also not cut that neatly but it's not bad for a first effort. I suspect it won't last long as the edges will probably start to lift but I have an idea of how to get round this so if it doesn't age well I'll have another go.
2. A thick brown leather strap with no lining, so this one doesn't follow my intended 'style' of having bright (usually orange) inside lining.
Fairly straightforward to make, although the thickness of the leather means the width of the strap has to be very accurate as it won't bunch up at all between the lugs. I'm quite happy with this, it has a nice 'rustic' look and is incredibly comfortable. I thought a thick strap might be uncomfortable to wear but it's not at all. Only thing I need to do differently is to shave the leather thinner at the watch lug end as it's currently a bit thick here and was quite tricky to get on the watch. Works well with a single keeper as the thickness of the strap keeps it in place and stops it from sliding around.
3. A pale orange Ostrich strap with contrasting bright orange lining.
Fairly straightforward to make again. Single keeper in this case but would probably be better with two, one glued/stitched in place. Very comfortable to wear again.
None of these have any stitching. I have thread and needles but I'm waiting for a stitching groover to arrive, so they may not last very well. I'll see, but that's the next thing to try, first stitching parallel to the spring bars to hold them tight and to keep the strap together better, and then stitching the full perimeter of the strap.
Overall I'm quite pleased.
Here's what I've done so far:
1. A black replacement Diesel strap with contrasting bright orange lining.
A friend's (horrible...) watch needed a new strap. I said I'd give it a go but didn't realise how tricky this would be. It's 28mm at the lugs, going down to a 26mm buckle but instead of a normal 'loop' at the watch end for the spring bar this has shaped plastic inserts with no room to loop the leather around and back on itself. The leather is glued to the front and back of the insert and on the original strap the front part of the strap overlaps the sides of the plastic insert slightly and is shaved very thin, to allow it to stick to the sides as well.
I'm not totally happy with this because I think the leather needed to be shaved much thinner at the watch end to sit flush with the face, and to wrap round the edges of the insert. It's also not cut that neatly but it's not bad for a first effort. I suspect it won't last long as the edges will probably start to lift but I have an idea of how to get round this so if it doesn't age well I'll have another go.
2. A thick brown leather strap with no lining, so this one doesn't follow my intended 'style' of having bright (usually orange) inside lining.
Fairly straightforward to make, although the thickness of the leather means the width of the strap has to be very accurate as it won't bunch up at all between the lugs. I'm quite happy with this, it has a nice 'rustic' look and is incredibly comfortable. I thought a thick strap might be uncomfortable to wear but it's not at all. Only thing I need to do differently is to shave the leather thinner at the watch lug end as it's currently a bit thick here and was quite tricky to get on the watch. Works well with a single keeper as the thickness of the strap keeps it in place and stops it from sliding around.
3. A pale orange Ostrich strap with contrasting bright orange lining.
Fairly straightforward to make again. Single keeper in this case but would probably be better with two, one glued/stitched in place. Very comfortable to wear again.
None of these have any stitching. I have thread and needles but I'm waiting for a stitching groover to arrive, so they may not last very well. I'll see, but that's the next thing to try, first stitching parallel to the spring bars to hold them tight and to keep the strap together better, and then stitching the full perimeter of the strap.
Overall I'm quite pleased.
Thank you.
Yes, the acne strap is a bit odd but I'm warming to it. I think if it was stitched all the way round it would look a lot better. I bought a load of cheap leather offcuts to play around with and that was one of them. I've got some really nice heavily distressed dark brown leather to try next. It's a bit thin but I think I'll try that tomorrow.
May also try some padded straps when I get the stitching sorted.
Yes, the acne strap is a bit odd but I'm warming to it. I think if it was stitched all the way round it would look a lot better. I bought a load of cheap leather offcuts to play around with and that was one of them. I've got some really nice heavily distressed dark brown leather to try next. It's a bit thin but I think I'll try that tomorrow.
May also try some padded straps when I get the stitching sorted.
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