They're in Japan and not cheap, but also not prohibitively expensive if you want to complete the "look" of a nice watch vintage. I just ordered three and shipping was free. The only thing that bums me out is that 16mm is their smallest size and the size I find myself in need of the most often is 14mm.
]]>afire2022-09-28T17:37:16-00:00Re: Vintage Style Straps
https://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=17363&th=2327#msg_17363
afire2022-09-28T17:46:26-00:00Re: Vintage Style Straps
https://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=17366&th=2327#msg_17366
https://www.fratellowatches.com/torre-straps-how-my-search-f or-the-ultimate-vintage-watch-strap-came-to-an-end/
I’ve heard that the Vietnam based Hoang Dat does good jobs and 14mm custom orders are possible. He is on facebook, insta and think this is his website: https://www.hdstraps.com/
Or… make them yourself!
]]>Jenneke2022-09-30T10:27:20-00:00Re: Vintage Style Straps
https://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=17367&th=2327#msg_17367
afire2022-09-30T16:21:21-00:00Re: Vintage Style Straps
https://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=17379&th=2327#msg_17379
afire2022-10-02T01:25:45-00:00Re: Vintage Style Straps
https://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=17380&th=2327#msg_17380
Gary2022-10-02T18:06:59-00:00Re: Vintage Style Straps
https://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=17397&th=2327#msg_17397
afire2022-10-03T17:49:39-00:00Re: Vintage Style Straps
https://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=17524&th=2327#msg_17524
On a side note picked up some vintage JB Champion straps at the local mart this morning. They don't have the lug edge stitching but a buck for all 5...you can't pass on these! Scandia calf are the better ones in the bunch.
]]>Gary2022-10-22T20:37:15-00:00Re: Vintage Style Straps
https://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=18207&th=2327#msg_18207
afire wrote on Sat, 01 October 2022 20:25
Quick update. I ordered three straps which qualified me for free shipping. I ordered on Tuesday and somehow they were delivered on Friday, three days later, from Japan. The quality is exquisite. I would highly recommend these to anyone.
I finally got around to putting one on a watch. It's hard to judge from a picture, but they are really nicely made, very sturdy and crisp. Probably a better value than the IW straps that cost about 1/3 as much but didn't hold up well to regular wearing. I have the feeling this strap will not need replacing in my lifetime.
]]>afire2023-04-17T21:48:42-00:00Re: Vintage Style Straps
https://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=18208&th=2327#msg_18208
Jenneke wrote on Fri, 30 September 2022 05:27
And I've received one strap from Torre and have another on the way. Once again, outstanding craftsmanship. I'd like to have his straps on all my watches. But my wallet will restrain me. I'll restrict myself to watches for which I can't obtain this style in a given size or length. One example being Strap 1. Nobody makes a vintage style open ended strap at a 23 mm width. I now have the strap but the watch is in the shop presently. I'll post a couple pics when it's back.
]]>afire2023-04-17T21:53:34-00:00Re: Vintage Style Straps
https://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=18211&th=2327#msg_18211
I still make my own. Green fish leather needs the stitching done. The pigskin is in the “just started” phase.
]]>Jenneke2023-04-18T17:48:13-00:00Re: Vintage Style Straps
https://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=18219&th=2327#msg_18219
afire2023-04-19T14:35:53-00:00Re: Vintage Style Straps
https://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=18225&th=2327#msg_18225
Jenneke2023-04-19T18:36:19-00:00Re: Vintage Style Straps
https://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=18278&th=2327#msg_18278
It's wasn't easy to find any 23mm open-ended strap the first time I had to get one for this watch and finding one with the fully stitched lug ends was never going to happen. Notice the incised line around the edges. It's a perfect match to what's shown in plate 23B the 1918 book.
]]>afire2023-05-10T19:40:37-00:00Re: Vintage Style Straps
https://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=18280&th=2327#msg_18280
Have to find out how to make that incised line.]]>Jenneke2023-05-10T19:46:05-00:00Re: Vintage Style Straps
https://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=18282&th=2327#msg_18282
Watch looks familiar too.]]>JackW2023-05-11T01:18:17-00:00Re: Vintage Style Straps
https://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=18283&th=2327#msg_18283
JackW wrote on Wed, 10 May 2023 20:18
Afire, that is a nice band.
Watch looks familiar too.
Indeed this watch has been the beneficiary of your skills. Your service got me a few years out of it before the loose canon pinion reappeared. I truly don’t understand this issue. I feel like it should be able to be fixed with a pinch of some needle nose pliers :lol: , but obviously it’s not that simple. ]]>afire2023-05-11T03:43:50-00:00Re: Vintage Style Straps
https://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=18284&th=2327#msg_18284
JackW2023-05-11T15:12:14-00:00Re: Vintage Style Straps
https://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=18287&th=2327#msg_18287
afire wrote on Thu, 11 May 2023 05:43
I truly don’t understand this issue. I feel like it should be able to be fixed with a pinch of some needle nose pliers :lol: , but obviously it’s not that simple.
I would expect it is that simple… There are tightening tools for it. But staking set or just a nail clippers would do. ]]>Jenneke2023-05-12T06:22:51-00:00Re: Vintage Style Straps
https://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.phpindex.php?t=rview&goto=18289&th=2327#msg_18289
Back to vintage style straps, I should be posting pictures of my second Torre strap. But when I ordered it I somehow neglected to mention that it should be open ended to go with my newly reacquired green gold mystery Import. :blush: Now I have a beautifully made 14mm brown strap with no obvious watch to pair it with. In my mind brown leather pairs with green and yellow gold and black leather pairs with white and rose gold. I'll either have to hunt down a green gold watch with 14mm lugs or break my usual rules.]]>afire2023-05-12T16:40:52-00:00