Watch Strap Prototype

[cjmt]

  On 11/14/2013 at 7:52 PM, vmaniqui said:

Nice. What thread did you use. I'm new at leather works and wanted to learn. Thanks.

That strap used 532 Lin Cable in Marron I think

Charlie

[vmaniqui]

  On 11/14/2013 at 8:23 PM, cjmt said:

That strap used 532 Lin Cable in Marron I think

Charlie

thanks. and normally what leather do you use for the straps. apologies for my dumb questions - i am a newbie. you're a real craftsman. really nice work. wish i could do that, even for my own watch. looking at all your works i am guessing it will take me years to even come halfway to what you're doing.

[cjmt]

  On 11/15/2013 at 9:06 AM, vmaniqui said:

thanks. and normally what leather do you use for the straps. apologies for my dumb questions - i am a newbie. you're a real craftsman. really nice work. wish i could do that, even for my own watch. looking at all your works i am guessing it will take me years to even come halfway to what you're doing.

Thanks for the kind words

We use bridle leather that we thin down more than anything else, but there are photos of French Calf and Goatskin as well in this thread.

Theres never anything wrong with asking questions. This forum is an excellent resource, keep looking at photos of the type of thing you want to make and reading threads from those making that kind of stuff, theres a huge amount of info here if you piece it together. The thing that all the true craftspeople have in common (and there are many better than me here) is attention to detail, patience, and the desire to make the next thong you make better than the last thing you made. If you want to make beautiful things and you have the patience to learn and take the time to make something properly its not beyond anyone capable of operating the tools IMHO.

HTH

Charlie

[TXAG]

  On 11/15/2013 at 9:06 AM, vmaniqui said:

looking at all your works i am guessing it will take me years to even come halfway to what you're doing.

Nah, you'll be making nice stuff in no time. If you search threads by other makers, you'll be able to find detailed information for how to make these.

Good luck -- I've already found a lot of info elsewhere. PM me if you have questions.

[imstephenjones]

@cjmt: Where did you source your hardware from?

[cjmt]

Watch buckles? We get the from watch obsession in the uk, there are quite a few sources though

Charlie

[pjkutil]

Charlie,

Excellent, inspiring work. The detail you've gone into in this thread has been incredibly helpful as well.

One question--how do you handle the edge finishing around the leather keeper closest to the buckle? I'm assuming you sew it in before burnishing and sealing and whatnot, and I am having a hard time figuring out how you get such good results at the corners.

Forgive me for talking myself through this a bit, but maybe you are finishing the top and bottom layers independently where the keeper goes between them before stitching, and giving yourself a little room on either side for your slicker once you stitch everything up?

Thanks again!

Peter

[cjmt]

Hi,

Glad to have been of help!

If you have an area that can't be got at when the stitching has been done, like the area around the keeper I finish the edges of that area before the stitching. Its difficult to merge the two areas latter but theres no way I know of dying/finishing the bit around the keeper after you've sewn it in so its the way it has to be done I think, in the same way as the keeper itself is finished before its sewn in.

I hope that helps,

Charlie

[JeffGC]

Charlie - I just sent you a PM.

Jeff

[nick67]

Real nice work you done there. I've got a question that may seem dumb but I cannot figure it out..Why the need for a filler layer in between the watch band? Why not just use a thicker piece folded over itself? It never occurred to me to use an extra piece as a filler in between. Is the filler only a smaller piece placed in the center or is it the same width as the watch band?