Adventures in watch strap making

[dirk87]

Made a bund strap ‘attachment’ thingy.
Slides under a normal strap.

Never really gave these any thought but i quite like it now. It’s more a proof of concept, messed up the stitching and didn’t finish the edges.

 

*please ignore the maker stamp, was trying out some 3d printed stamps before ordering proper ones.

[Beehive]

Your stitching looks really good! Another plus with a Bund strap. Your watch doesn't get wrist funk underneath. To where it'll smell. Having to clean the watch every time you take it off. 

Leather doesn't take an odor like nylon or silicone. 

[dirk87]

Thank you!

I mean these kind of stitching things witch i didn’t really plan for, some long or short stitches.  Changing the dimensions a little will get rid of this.

[dirk87]

19 minutes ago, Beehive said:

Your watch doesn't get wrist funk underneath. To where it'll smell. Having to clean the watch every time you take it off. 

Good to know, i can also see this as a benefit , I will wear it for a while, kind of really like it 

[Beehive]

1 minute ago, dirk87 said:

Thank you!

I mean these kind of stitching things witch i didn’t really plan for, some long or short stitches.  Changing the dimensions a little will get rid of this.

 

On the corners. You have to know how to arrange the opposite shape of the holes. Where they meet. It's hard to type an explanation. But there's a certain way to match the corner holes between two stitch lines. To where you won't notice an unmatched stitch loop.

[Beehive]

This guy gives a good explanation on how to face the holes between two and up stitch lines. 

 

 

[dirk87]

Thank you for the feedback.
Yes! I learned allot from leathertoolz videos, i really appreciate his effort.

It’s the first time i stitch rounded corners in stead of square. Square aur i know how to plan. For rounded I was thinking of planning the corners with a 2 prong at 45deg first ( yes it difficult to explain by text  ) then fill the space between.

[dirk87]

Some more pictures

build up:
0,9mm Haas Zermatt
0,15mm velodon reinforcement 
0.9mm buttero

[CalgaryJim]

On 2/10/2025 at 8:34 AM, dirk87 said:

Hello all,

I recently started making watch straps as a hobby. I’m collecting allot of info and trying out different things.

I wanted to start a topic where i can share my work and findings in the hope it can be of value to someone else. 
I intend to randomly post my progress and experiences on construction and finishing.

Below are my 2 latest straps

1
20 to 16mm taper
Outer: buttero biscuit 0.9mm
Lining: alran sully gold 0.9mm
Inner layer: generic veg tan 0.8mm
Thread: meisi superfine linenM40 caramel
Stitching: CH 2.7mm
Edge: uniters sp2000 color mixed
 

 

2
20 to 16mm taper
Outer: buttero whiskey 0.9mm
Lining: zermatt 0.9mm
Inner layer: salpa 0.4mm
Reinforcement: velodon 0.1mm 
Thread: meisi superfine linen M40 cream
Stitching: CH 2.7mm
Edge: uniters sp2000 color mixed

 

3d printed folding jig i’m using:

 

please leave me any comments, questions or critiques…

more to follow

Excellent work! I’ve been making leather straps as a hobby for a year and a half now and know how hard this hobby is. 

[CalgaryJim]

On 2/10/2025 at 10:40 AM, Beehive said:

 

I prefer the factory spring bars. The quick release bars are a universal sized bar. Seiko sized. 

Using the Marathon watches, they have massive spring bars that are designed to fit the drilled lugs on their cases. 

For me to use your quick release strap. I have to remove the spring bars you installed. The peg or lever used to release the spring bar. Has to be cut off so the spring bar can be removed out the strap. Cutting the lever also leaves a sharp edge of metal. That drags through the strap while being removed. 

It's either that or the stitching has to be removed and sewn back. 

 

On the Damasko, the spring bars are curved. Another element that needs addressed. 

You are mistaken, quick release springs bars are not universal sized, and even Seiko watches don’t all use the same spring bar size. Same with Marathon, for example, my 34mm General Purpose Quartz Marathon has a fixed bar. 
 

Quick release spring bars are easy to remove by the way, no need to break the handle off.

 

 

On 2/10/2025 at 10:51 AM, Beehive said:

As a strap maker using those quick release bars. 

 

What guarantee do you give me, that it will hold my $5000 dollar watch on my wrist, worry free? 

No strap makers will give you such a guarantee.

Edited Monday at 03:24 PM by Northmount
typo

[CalgaryJim]

On 2/19/2025 at 8:51 AM, dirk87 said:

I learned allot from leathertoolz videos, i really appreciate his effort.

Best YouTube channel on leather work in my opinion, he’s very thorough and does lots of comparisons!