Recommendation on a Quality 19mm Light Grey Strap

I have considerable experience with Delugs, and yes their straps are high quality and well worth waiting for.  In fact, their MTO and custom straps don't cost a whole lot more than their off-the-shelf straps - I think I've purchased something like 15 Omega-style deployant straps from them to-date, and absolutely love their work.

Thank you! I didn’t realize that was an option. Something to look into. Cheers!

Yeah, dude, it's pretty awesome.  You can literally customize anything and everything.  Somehow I got used to the Omega-style deployant thing, and love the clean strapless thing, and then extra cushion under the wrist is amazing...  and the only way to get that is to have straps custom-made.

They have super high-quality materials without having the price rise through the stratosphere.  For example, I got a Saffiano leather strap from Strapsco.com for $39.99 (and they're buy 3, get 1 for free).  Meanwhile, 1 Delugs custom saffiano was $115.  The Strapsco strap was... stiff and utilitarian, while the Delugs was soft and luxurious.  

As always, though, YMMV.

I got this one from a guy on Etsy, DNI Leatherhandmade. I’m quite happy with it and love the way it looks on my SLGH009. Shipped from Vietnam to the US in about 1.5 weeks. 

I have a light gray Nubuck strap from Monstraps (wouldn't be surprised if it was same factory as Delugs, they look exactly the same). Quality and comfort are good, but personally I'm not a big fan of how it aged. For gray, I find myself leaning more towards fabric straps than leather. 

Thanks! I’ll have to look that up. What is it about the aging that turned you off?

Very nice! Thanks for the suggestion.  I’m never sure how to approach Etsy in terms of feeling more certain about quality. Any tips?

It just darkened and lost some of the fuzzy texture. Tbh I can't really remember how it looked new though, so for all I remember it could've looked that way all along! Here is my most recent picture of the strap 

Also looking at your other question to Biglona, I buy a decent amount of straps off Etsy. I'd say the best way to find quality is to search by type of leather (Shell Cordovan, Chromexcel, etc). Any listing that only says "genuine leather" should be avoided. While I'm almost always happy with the leather quality from Etsy, sometimes I'm disappointed in the buckle. Strapcode has plenty of buckle options available, and may be an upgrade depending on what came on the strap. 

I just look for vendors with a high rating with a large number of reviews. Kind of like shopping on Amazon 😁

That said, most will respond to direct messages if you’d feel more comfortable talking to them first. I ordered a second strap from the same maker and he made a few minor alterations for me for free so the strap would fit my watch better. Excellent service. 

I have excellent experience with Molequin. Great quality straps AND buckles which is always overlooked. And they ship fast. 
 

Veblenist makes quality straps. You can select a custom stitching color if you want to match the DeLugs.

https://www.veblenist.com/straps/wolf-grey-nubuck-watch-strap

Thank you! 

Thank you!

Bought from Delugs (liked it, customs fees I liked less). Depending on your geographical zone, and as dollar trumps euros nowadays, I would consider Atelier Romane also. Great leather quality.

https://www.atelier-romane.com/product-page/su%C3%A9de-pearl-grey-watch-strap

Thanks!

Just purchased a custom made Nubuck strap from Delugs for a JLC MUT, and it is first class.  The other strap which comes to mind for your particular request is the Molequin Argent (also a Nubuck material in grey/blue color).  The hint of blue in the Argent would definitely compliment the dial on the Omiwatari.  I have the Molequin Saphir ( deep blue) Nubuck strap on my Grand Seiko cherry blossom spring drive and love it!

Thanks for the recommendation! I was looking at that one, too, actually. I agree about the blue tones, but wonder if there might not be enough contrast. 

It may be too late, but I still decided to share these two options (of leather) we have.

I do have my strap, but thank you for sharing! I really like the look of the second one. 

I have a delugs strap, and am very happy wih it. Especially the hand stitching which is recognisable as it is a little angked is very nice, but of course only realy shines with contrasting stich colour..