For every watch, a dozen straps!
The best way I’ve found to keep myself from churning through far too many watches, or at least slow down on my buying cycle, is to find great quality leather straps and Nato’s. I am fast becoming a bit of a strap junkie, and it certainly adds to the fun of collecting.
Liger straps (curved end straps and some really different choices) Atelier De Griff (great YouTube channel reviewing some nice watches, good range of colours and quality) Artisan Straps (nice priced exotics, and customisable), Bulang and Sons, Bas and Lokes, Artem Straps (sailcloth), Phenome straps (NATOs), Wolbrook Watches (make wicked rubber tropics) as do Joseph Bonnie.
I’ve found I just can’t justify the same crappy, drop shipped Ali X stuff that seems to be touted by so many other retailers.
I’d love to have your recommendations on where you buy your great quality straps from?
Aussie watch collector with a passion for primarily retro inspired modern Omega, Tudor and Seiko watches, mostly divers.
What’s the middle one?
I came to the same conclusion as you: most retailers (and YouTubers) sell standard AliExpress/Alibaba stuff at a premium. Be it leather, rubber, NATO or bracelets, the manufacturers and quality are identical so might as well buy from China at a quarter of the price. It makes sense after all, China is the factory of the world and few websites produce anything themselves.
After trying leather straps from a dozen retailers ranging from $15 to $115 (CNS, StrapsCo, Barton, Vario, Colareb, Watchgecko, Monstrap, Nomad, Holben, Bulang, Delugs) because I'm a sucker for good leather (also addicted to boots and bags, RIP wallet), I have found the best quality and value for money to come from TunsLeather on Etsy. Handcrafted, made to order, entirely customizable with size, taper, stitching, luxury grade leather from renowned tanneries, with equal finishing to the likes of Bulang and Delugs but for half the price. The wait time can be a bit long, up to 1-1.5 months, but you get the satisfaction of funding a local artisan in Vietnam, rather than a big retailer gouging you on prices because they need to pay for more marketing and paid influencers to promote their self-proclaimed luxury status to justify their unfair markup.
What’s the middle one?
Liger straps, old cut up Gucci handbag/ knock off.
They can also curve the strap where it meets the lugs so there’s no gap, which very few strap makers do.
I came to the same conclusion as you: most retailers (and YouTubers) sell standard AliExpress/Alibaba stuff at a premium. Be it leather, rubber, NATO or bracelets, the manufacturers and quality are identical so might as well buy from China at a quarter of the price. It makes sense after all, China is the factory of the world and few websites produce anything themselves.
After trying leather straps from a dozen retailers ranging from $15 to $115 (CNS, StrapsCo, Barton, Vario, Colareb, Watchgecko, Monstrap, Nomad, Holben, Bulang, Delugs) because I'm a sucker for good leather (also addicted to boots and bags, RIP wallet), I have found the best quality and value for money to come from TunsLeather on Etsy. Handcrafted, made to order, entirely customizable with size, taper, stitching, luxury grade leather from renowned tanneries, with equal finishing to the likes of Bulang and Delugs but for half the price. The wait time can be a bit long, up to 1-1.5 months, but you get the satisfaction of funding a local artisan in Vietnam, rather than a big retailer gouging you on prices because they need to pay for more marketing and paid influencers to promote their self-proclaimed luxury status to justify their unfair markup.
I’ve used Tuns quite a bit, but ages ago. Glad you mentioned him, I totally forgot, should check out his stuff again.
I'm pretty specific with a NATO, in that they must be mil-spec (sewn in buckle) or it's just a cloth strap. My go to are Watchgecko Zuludiver Geckota whatever they call themselves, and CWC, especially their elastic NATO's.
Big fan of Artem Sailcloth straps, Staib mesh are a step above the others , and also recommend Forstner Komfit and Bonklip if you want something different and historical. Colareb Alcantara straps are lovely too.
Don't recommend Omega NATO, too thick, sharp keepers and critically a poxy springbar retained buckle!!! 🤣
Agreed ! I’m a strapaholic
Agreed ! I’m a strapaholic
The only way to be!
I'm pretty specific with a NATO, in that they must be mil-spec (sewn in buckle) or it's just a cloth strap. My go to are Watchgecko Zuludiver Geckota whatever they call themselves, and CWC, especially their elastic NATO's.
Big fan of Artem Sailcloth straps, Staib mesh are a step above the others , and also recommend Forstner Komfit and Bonklip if you want something different and historical. Colareb Alcantara straps are lovely too.
Don't recommend Omega NATO, too thick, sharp keepers and critically a poxy springbar retained buckle!!! 🤣
I really enjoy CWC’s watches and straps, they make some pretty tough watches.
I came to the same conclusion as you: most retailers (and YouTubers) sell standard AliExpress/Alibaba stuff at a premium. Be it leather, rubber, NATO or bracelets, the manufacturers and quality are identical so might as well buy from China at a quarter of the price. It makes sense after all, China is the factory of the world and few websites produce anything themselves.
After trying leather straps from a dozen retailers ranging from $15 to $115 (CNS, StrapsCo, Barton, Vario, Colareb, Watchgecko, Monstrap, Nomad, Holben, Bulang, Delugs) because I'm a sucker for good leather (also addicted to boots and bags, RIP wallet), I have found the best quality and value for money to come from TunsLeather on Etsy. Handcrafted, made to order, entirely customizable with size, taper, stitching, luxury grade leather from renowned tanneries, with equal finishing to the likes of Bulang and Delugs but for half the price. The wait time can be a bit long, up to 1-1.5 months, but you get the satisfaction of funding a local artisan in Vietnam, rather than a big retailer gouging you on prices because they need to pay for more marketing and paid influencers to promote their self-proclaimed luxury status to justify their unfair markup.
I’ve found Artisan Straps from here in Australia actually cheaper than some of Tuns current range, can customise stitch colours, turnaround time is a few days rather than a month also. Give them a try!
I'm pretty specific with a NATO, in that they must be mil-spec (sewn in buckle) or it's just a cloth strap. My go to are Watchgecko Zuludiver Geckota whatever they call themselves, and CWC, especially their elastic NATO's.
Big fan of Artem Sailcloth straps, Staib mesh are a step above the others , and also recommend Forstner Komfit and Bonklip if you want something different and historical. Colareb Alcantara straps are lovely too.
Don't recommend Omega NATO, too thick, sharp keepers and critically a poxy springbar retained buckle!!! 🤣
CNS have recently got a sewn in buckle strap thats very affordable
I’ve found Artisan Straps from here in Australia actually cheaper than some of Tuns current range, can customise stitch colours, turnaround time is a few days rather than a month also. Give them a try!
Excellent, I'll check them out. Thank you 👍🏻👍🏻