Disappointed by Delugs leather strap
Hello,
I bought a new and not cheap leather strap from Delugs, only 2 weeks ago.
Color, stitching, leather, all is quite nice so far.
Except that some wrinkles appeared just below the spring bars, and I think it looks particularly unaesthetic. It is more obvious in reality than on the pictures by the way.
I don't have much experience in leather strap, but I have the feeling it's not normal and should not be expected for a strap at more than 80€.
At least I have another cheap strap from Vietnam that hold it much better (except that it came with bad quick release springs, it was as good and even a bit better).
I believe the key feature is the strap thickness around the spring bar. The one from Delugs is quite thin, the one from Vietnam is almost twice thicker and get thicker towards the bar (it's not padded however).
What do you think ?
Am I over thinking ? Should I claim about it to the Delugs support ?
Is the only chance for it not to happen is to have a thicker strap, or maybe even a padded one ?
Thank you for your feedbacks, it will certainly help me.
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I have some bad experience with delug as well but has not much luck with support... but I would definitely try to reach out to them
You're overthinking it. It's leather, aka skin. Like all skin wrinkles are a feature, not a bug.
You're overthinking it. It's leather, aka skin. Like all skin wrinkles are a feature, not a bug.
I don't mind wrinkles, I may have not been clear enough.
Rather the global shape it creates : a big thick thing around the bar, then it gets thin at this wrinkle. It looks ugly.
I don't mind wrinkles, I may have not been clear enough.
Rather the global shape it creates : a big thick thing around the bar, then it gets thin at this wrinkle. It looks ugly.
Probably easier to see on this photo.
I just looked at your WRUW shots and your straps don't have it, they look just fine.
This is normal. Your spring bars are thicker than the strap so it looks like that. If you don’t like this style, opt for padded straps instead. It’s not a Delugs issue, it’s true of all leather strap makers—just the style.
I think you “nailed” the problem. Too thin leather at the spring bar. I would just chalk this up to experience and not buy from them again.
This is normal. Your spring bars are thicker than the strap so it looks like that. If you don’t like this style, opt for padded straps instead. It’s not a Delugs issue, it’s true of all leather strap makers—just the style.
OK, thank you for this advice.
I think you “nailed” the problem. Too thin leather at the spring bar. I would just chalk this up to experience and not buy from them again.
Yes, I am not entirely satisfied by the answer that it's just the style.
Proper design should make it thick enough for the spring bar in use.
At least not to entirely remove the issue, but to reduce it as much as possible, like I see on many other straps or photos.
I am contacting them.
I have some bad experience with delug as well but has not much luck with support... but I would definitely try to reach out to them
What experience ?
In the past, I returned a FKM rubber strap. The support answered quickly and was helpful, however they lost my return.
The post office tracking clearly stated it had been delivered, but they were unable to find it.
Finally they offered me a coupon. No as good as a refund, but I was ok with that.
And now that quality / design problem.
So, mixed feelings.
Barton watch bands leather straps are like $30 and they don’t do that.
I think you “nailed” the problem. Too thin leather at the spring bar. I would just chalk this up to experience and not buy from them again.
Any flat, unbolstered strap from any maker would have that issue.
Oiling the leather may help. Most likely as it breaks in more you will notice it less. I've bought a lot of straps from different manufacturers some I've liked others have had things that didn't work for me. I tend to like a thinner strap without padding or very little padding. Lately I've been wearing a lot of ostrich straps. For me in general straps are a try and move on if they don't work for me. Generally not worth the effort to return unless I bought them through Amazon. I don't generally pay more the $40 to 50 US for a strap unless it's from the actual watch manufacturer.
Could be the leather maybe it’s a softer leather, I make my own and use good quality leather, Buttero veg tanned,firm and stiff. Try putting some leather wax on it.
I only have this issue on the Seiko fat spring bars. I attribute it to the leather not being able to rotate because of the tight fit. Maybe, switch out the spring bars to something thinner.
The bar is probably too thick for the strap? In my experience delugs straps, although I only own a few signature style ones which are padded, are fine but the Vietnamese strap makers on Etsy are quite good too. You can take the spring bar out of the other strap and replace it with a better one if that would help the issue.
I've become a big fan of the ColaReb brand from Italy. I get them from Holben's. They can be a little pricey, most starting around $45, but they are really well made. At first I thought they were too thick, but now I really like them. Sometimes I'll buy inexpensive ($30 and under) straps from Etsy but they can be hit or miss.
Ho, thanks a lot. Good pointer, I am going to look at it carefully.
First thing : their construction is thicker and straight, so it does not roll around the bar like the Delugs strap. I would probably have no issue with this.
This further cements my want of one. I have smaller wrist so they case size really appeals to me as a GADA.
Yes, I have a small wrist too and no problem with this one of course.
Also the recessed crown makes it very comfortable, really.
Of course it's a bit less comfortable to operate, but I almost never need to use it: 1) no date ; 2) well regulated ; 3) it's my daily.
I had a hard time choosing between the brown and the beige, taff choice. Both are nice.
Yes, I have a small wrist too and no problem with this one of course.
Also the recessed crown makes it very comfortable, really.
Of course it's a bit less comfortable to operate, but I almost never need to use it: 1) no date ; 2) well regulated ; 3) it's my daily.
I had a hard time choosing between the brown and the beige, taff choice. Both are nice.
Im in between Green and Beige... but I have too many green things or watches I want already. So whats a man to do. Thankf for the reply. Love the strap and watch on this one!
I think. It’s their mistake as the bars are provided with the strap.
True. Do you have a picture of the strap from the side without a watch?
True. Do you have a picture of the strap from the side without a watch?
What do you think about this angle?
@UnsignedCrown
I did already one week ago but it does not work.
I am used to leather in general (shoes, belts, bags) and have one of the best cream available (Saphir).
Saphir is great leather conditioner and polish. It's what I use as well but you may want to try neatsfoot or mink oil. They are less a cream or polish and more a softener or treatment. It may help and may not. Delugs straps can be a bit of an investment I'm sorry it's not working for you. I'm a fan of Alpines straps specifically their german made Rios & leather backed canvas ones. Vinacreations is very inexpensive brand that makes really nice ostrich & lizard straps. I typically buy them for about $20 to 40 US off of Amazon.
It’s a thin strap, this is normal. Your strap is a doubled up piece of leather, of course it’s thicker at the springbars
It’s a thin strap, this is normal. Your strap is a doubled up piece of leather, of course it’s thicker at the springbars
Ok but it's clearly more accentuated on mine. I would be very happy with your strap, which look like my other one...
What do you think about this angle?
@UnsignedCrown
It's a very thin strap so there's probably not much that could have been done differently except make it thicker near the end where it attaches to the case. It's probanly more a case of an unfortunate design rather than poor execution so I don't think you can really do anything other than "learn" from it. I bought plenty of straps I ended up not liking 🤷♂️
It's a very thin strap so there's probably not much that could have been done differently except make it thicker near the end where it attaches to the case. It's probanly more a case of an unfortunate design rather than poor execution so I don't think you can really do anything other than "learn" from it. I bought plenty of straps I ended up not liking 🤷♂️
Agree 100% my opinion has been reinforced with comments like yours. Thanks ! 🙏
Yes, I am not entirely satisfied by the answer that it's just the style.
Proper design should make it thick enough for the spring bar in use.
At least not to entirely remove the issue, but to reduce it as much as possible, like I see on many other straps or photos.
I am contacting them.
Funny enough, I was browsing some watch manufacturer's WEB sites and low and behold, their straps exhibited the same symptom. It seems preety common.
@stenka What was the model if you don’t mind me asking? I’m thinking of getting a strap from Delugs soon and it looks just like the one I was interested in.
@stenka What was the model if you don’t mind me asking? I’m thinking of getting a strap from Delugs soon and it looks just like the one I was interested in.
Of course: this one.
But I observed how they build their straps and my feeling is that all of them are concerns. After contacting them, I doubt they have the know-how to do it better.
I advise you to go to Etsy, Tuns leather for example : cheaper and better, even without padding it curls less. And you can ask for padding on any strap to completely remediate the issue.
Of course: this one.
But I observed how they build their straps and my feeling is that all of them are concerns. After contacting them, I doubt they have the know-how to do it better.
I advise you to go to Etsy, Tuns leather for example : cheaper and better, even without padding it curls less. And you can ask for padding on any strap to completely remediate the issue.
Thanks! This is the same one I was planning on buying. I’ll check out Tuns and see what I can find.
Thanks! This is the same one I was planning on buying. I’ll check out Tuns and see what I can find.
It's this one, same leather:
https://www.etsy.com/fr/listing/1035800564/bracelet-de-montre-en-cuir-marron-fonce?ref=yr_purchases
You can change the stitching color and padding on order.
Here is mine: