u/AtelierTamago

We often get asked which leather to choose for a vintage-style strap. Leather texture is something we consider when making suggestions, but both grained and smooth leather can work.

These two straps were made for clients in Vintage Gold Minerva Box and Black Barenia—two of our favourites for that style.

With the Minerva Box, the pronounced grain and warm golden-brown colour give it that vintage character. The Black Barenia has a smoother surface and subtle sheen, giving it a quieter, more understated feel.

That’s why I tend to consider texture alongside colour and the watch itself, rather than looking for one particular grain.

When choosing a vintage-style strap, color is only part of the decision. The texture and overall character of the leather can completely change the way it works with a watch.

Barenia is usually our choice for a cleaner, more understated vintage look. It has a smooth surface and develops a more personal patina through wear. Deep Gold is particularly versatile when pairing with cream dials, aged lume, or warm-toned cases.

Minerva Box has a more visible grain and a stronger vintage character. Gold offers a classic warm pairing, while colors such as Olive, Bleu Orage, and Grenat allow for something a little more distinctive without losing that vintage feeling.

A simple way to choose:

• Barenia for a smoother, quieter and more refined look
• Minerva Box for more texture, color and personality

This was our first time making a strap for an LV Monterey, so most of the challenge came before the actual leatherwork began.

We went through several rounds of measurements with the owner, then spent a few days drawing and adjusting the pattern before starting production. She was incredibly patient and provided every detail we needed along the way.

The strap is now finished, but we haven’t been able to test it on the watch ourselves, so the real moment of truth will be when it reaches her. Hopefully, the fit is right and it looks as good on the Monterey as we imagined.

When choosing a strap, do you prefer it to blend in with the watch—or create contrast?

I’ve noticed that people tend to approach watch straps in very different ways.

Some prefer a strap that quietly continues the colours and character of the watch. Others use the strap to introduce contrast and give the same watch a completely different personality.

Personally, I often think about three possible directions:

• A tone-on-tone pairing that feels cohesive
• A neutral colour that lets the watch remain the focus
• A contrasting colour that brings out a smaller detail in the dial

There is no universally “correct” answer, of course. Much of it depends on the watch—and on the person wearing it.

Which approach do you usually prefer? Feel free to share your favourite watch and strap pairing in the comments, so we can all find a little inspiration from one another.

As strap makers, we think about much more than how a strap looks. Leather, texture, thickness and stitching all shape its character—but comfort is just as important to us, especially how naturally the strap sits on the wrist over time.

From a collector’s perspective, what matters most to you: colour, texture, comfort, craftsmanship, or how the strap changes the character of the watch?

A few straps currently taking shape at our workbench.

Most of this batch is built around quiet, versatile tones—grey, taupe, navy and warm brown—but it’s interesting how much the leather texture and stitching can change the personality of each one.

I’m personally drawn to the grey straps in the foreground. Which color would you choose for your watch?

I was helping a client explore a few strap options for this watch, so I created these AI mockups to make the different pairings easier to compare.

I have my own favorite, but I’m curious to hear what other watch enthusiasts think. Which one would you choose?

These are AI-generated visual mockups for reference, so the actual colors and textures may vary slightly.

A few Cartier straps we’ve made for different buckle styles. Interesting to see how much the buckle changes the overall character of the strap. Which combination do you prefer?

A set of four custom straps made for the same Patek Philippe.

Although each leather gives the watch a different character, all four were made to work with the original Patek deployant clasp. The thickness at the clasp end and the length of each side were adjusted to achieve a comfortable fit and keep the deployant properly positioned on the wrist.

An interesting exercise in creating four distinct looks while working within the same technical requirements.

We recently made this custom strap for a client’s M.A.D.2. The red stitching was added to pick up the red around the bezel, while the black keeps the overall look balanced.

Would you have kept the stitching all black, or added the red detail?