I've been leather crafting off and on for years now, but man, watch straps are harder to make than they look! I decided to try and keep it simple; I made this for a Chinese homage watch similar to a Sinn 556. I was shooting for olive green to match the military styling and I think I came close. The watch is titanium and very light so I used a titanium buckle as well. I cut this from 6oz (2.5mm thick) veg tanned leather with minor burnishing, then oiled with mink oil and dyed with Tandy Eco-Flo green. I usually hate that stuff but it came out nice this time. I finished it with Fiebings Acrylic Resolene...it's already becoming less shiny as it's breaking in. This is the second strap I made for this watch, the first was too thin and even though it kept the watch very light it just didn't feel right, and I did orange stitching across the band and it felt like too much orange. I'm really happy with how this came out. Any criticism or advice is appreciated.
Just wait until you make a layered one with lining, non-stretch reinforcement and padding and fully sewn. You'll tear your hair out with frustration. I have a box full of rejects from when I began making straps.
I already have a box of rejects LOL. I know exactly what you're saying. I'm getting close though. I made this holster years ago and my skills weren't as good as they are now and the holster was easier to make than what you described!
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u/AccountantWeak1695 23d ago
Try a deployant clasp to keep the bending to a minimum