"Punch" drunk! Probable too many pics.

[mfer]

So I got a new strap in the mail on Saturday. The holidays of been crazy and it's been bugging me that I can't get to it till now. I know one day later.


I finally got about a half an hour today to do my work got all my tools ready.


Step two mount it on the watch. Looks pretty good already.




I gave it a test drive and marked where I thought it would make sense to have the hole for me. For those doing this the first time don't make it as tight as you think you should; make it a little bit loose. If you make it too tight the watch is really going to pull towards the 6 o'clock side and have the watch dig into your wrist. At least that's how it works for me.




Now it's just a case of measure five times and try to cut once. The tip I have is to lightly press the driver into the leather just to make a soft indentation. This would give you an idea if it's in the right spot on. If not retry.





Whoops! Looks like I hammered in a little too hard. Oh well... old board.


Initial test drive looks good. But somethings missing? Hmmmmmmm...
Also you can see it's not too tight as the watch is not pulling too hard at 6 o'clock. Nice and flat.












Using the old punched out leather hole, I space out my holes for future use. I cut it using a razor to have several holes. I settle on 15mm apart.



Punch punch punch!!!

Looks much better!





Need a beer now.


BTW, I was getting "you gotta be fricking kidding me" looks the entire time from my wife....


Thanks for looking.

[psv]

You definitely deserve that Guinness! Well done!

[financeman]

Great instructional write up. Where can I get one of those punches for leather straps. I need one. Thanks

[mfer]

Originally Posted by psv

You definitely deserve that Guinness! Well done!

Originally Posted by financeman

Great instructional write up. Where can I get one of those punches for leather straps. I need one. Thanks

Tandy Leather Factor.

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/e...s/3003-00.aspx

[texex91]

Looks great!

[HL65]

Well done Mik - Looks good too! Cheers,

[financeman]

Originally Posted by mfer

Tandy Leather Factor.

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/e...s/3003-00.aspx

Thanks man. I will order one tomorrow

[mjclark32]

Great write up and beautiful strap!

[MP5]

Great looking 232 man, I have to disagree about leaving it loose to make the hole. I have done this multiple times to virgin straps and it is best to make it just a bit too snug as the leather will stretch and relax making the fit perfect. This is especially true if you like in a humid environment or sweat a few times. It also pulls the buckle flat - parallel to the watch instead of pointing slightly down taking forever for the buckle to seat if at all

[nick c]

Very nice

[Psmith]

Congrats Mik - looks fantastic

[Naples09]

Very cool. Man, that strap is thick.

Great thread!

[mfer]

Originally Posted by texex91

Looks great!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Well done Mik - Looks good too! Cheers,

Originally Posted by mjclark32

Great write up and beautiful strap!

Originally Posted by MP5

Great looking 232 man, I have to disagree about leaving it loose to make the hole. I have done this multiple times to virgin straps and it is best to make it just a bit too snug as the leather will stretch and relax making the fit perfect. This is especially true if you like in a humid environment or sweat a few times. It also pulls the buckle flat - parallel to the watch instead of pointing slightly down taking forever for the buckle to seat if at all

I guess it depends on your wrist shape. Mine is snug, not tight. If too tight it pulls the watch down at 6 and it is elevated on the 12 side. Just right and it sits flat for me without moving. I live in the Midwest and don't sweat to much. I'm an office dweller.

Originally Posted by nick c

Very nice

Originally Posted by Psmith

Congrats Mik - looks fantastic

Originally Posted by Naples09

Very cool. Man, that strap is thick.

Great thread!

Thanks. It isn't that thick but it is buttery soft. Very pliable.

[B. Doggy]

Money, I love it! Just as I start going toward OEM and thinner straps for my RAD, there you go doing the AMMO thing. I'll aways be happily confused in my love for watches...

[MP5]

Originally Posted by mfer

I guess it depends on your wrist shape. Mine is snug, not tight. If too tight it pulls the watch down at 6 and it is elevated on the 12 side. Just right and it sits flat for me without moving. I live in the Midwest and don't sweat to much. I'm an office dweller.

Um, it does that because you buy the buckle side too short. It hits in the middle of your wrist and the long side has to bend around to go through the tang. The vintages did this right. The buckle side was 95-110mm and was positioned so that the long side went straight down through the buckle. Get a buckle side thats 10-15mm longer next time and you will never go back to short buckle sides and the oddness that creates

[mfer]

Originally Posted by B. Doggy

Money, I love it! Just as I start going toward OEM and thinner straps for my RAD, there you go doing the AMMO thing. I'll aways be happily confused in my love for watches...

This one isn't ammo and it isn't super thick. It is very pliable and soft. I wanted a thinner strap for the 232 and I also wanted a strap that will patina. This one will darken and get scratched with wear. I want this strap to wear out a little if that makes sense.

Here is a similar leather I have.

New...

Older...
The one on the 232 in the beginning.


The one I just got is similar in properties but not exactly the same. Great maker who is VERY reasonable priced.

[mfer]

Originally Posted by MP5

Um, it does that because you buy the buckle side too short. It hits in the middle of your wrist and the long side has to bend around to go through the tang. The vintages did this right. The buckle side was 95-110mm and was positioned so that the long side went straight down through the buckle. Get a buckle side thats 10-15mm longer next time and you will never go back to short buckle sides and the oddness that creates

Well I have a 100/160 and it does the same thing because I "thought" I made it too tight. I had to punch a hole to get it to fit me. Thought I did it too tight. I like the strap but it pulls down to far on the 6 o'clock side. Any suggestions to help me level out this strap?

This is a different strap below than the one I just punched above.

[CoachRolexRyan]

Crafty.

[MP5]

I would need to look at the pics like you had in the OP. Specifically pics 4,9,10,11. Most of the snafu is from the super thick tri-fold on the 100mm strap which when done right with a free floating buckle and keeper is the best and closest to vintage. The bi-fold like the one in your OP you punched is easier to make but for the most part more comfortable and easier to get a proper fit with.

Man, you make me miss my 210 and 183. I moved it in hope of getting a 232 that hasnt materialized. Might have to see if the cheaper base 380 comes out this year. I do like some sausage dial

[mfer]

Originally Posted by CoachRolexRyan

Crafty.

For ages 8+.

Originally Posted by MP5

I would need to look at the pics like you had in the OP. Specifically pics 4,9,10,11. Most of the snafu is from the super thick tri-fold on the 100mm strap which when done right with a free floating buckle and keeper is the best and closest to vintage. The bi-fold like the one in your OP you punched is easier to make but for the most part more comfortable and easier to get a proper fit with.

Man, you make me miss my 210 and 183. I moved it in hope of getting a 232 that hasnt materialized. Might have to see if the cheaper base 380 comes out this year. I do like some sausage dial

I'll try and get some pics like that and PM you.

I was hesitate to sell my golden 210 for the 232. I didn't think it would be worth the extra money. I was wrong. The brown on the 232 is perfect and the size and thinness of it, just perfect for me. Thanks for your advice. Nice to know there is someone else here as obsessed with the perfect fit as I am.

[jvo300]

Thanks Mik for the tutorial. Gives me the confidence to maybe one day make my own holes!

[aboen]

Goog work, Mik. You're a few staps away from making your own straps :-)

[wokafu]

good job..nicely done..

[wingku]

Nicely done. My wife gives me the "you gotta be freakin kidding me" look all the time too!

[PanosI]

Great pictorial, Mik !!!! Killer combo with the 232

[mfer]

Originally Posted by jvo300

Thanks Mik for the tutorial. Gives me the confidence to maybe one day make my own holes!

It isn't hard.

Originally Posted by aboen

Goog work, Mik. You're a few staps away from making your own straps :-)

I've tried a canvas attempt Drew. Not good results, but I think it was so thin and flexible, it made things difficult. I think leather will be easier to sew provided I can set it up right. Just need more time. Maybe in a few years!

Originally Posted by wokafu

good job..nicely done..

Originally Posted by wingku

Nicely done. My wife gives me the "you gotta be freakin kidding me" look all the time too!

Originally Posted by PanosI

Great pictorial, Mik !!!! Killer combo with the 232

Thanks Panos.

[ocwatching]

Nice work Mik! And that 232 combo is awesome!
Happy new year and new combo!
I guess I am still too scared to order these non punched. So I tend to stick with makers that I know fits!
Enjoy!

[mfer]

Originally Posted by ocwatching

Nice work Mik! And that 232 combo is awesome!
Happy new year and new combo!
I guess I am still too scared to order these non punched. So I tend to stick with makers that I know fits!
Enjoy!

Happy New Year to you as well Phil.

I learned on old straps I didn't like. I bought one for like $20 and punched away.

[DiverAsia]

Your 232 combo is beautiful! Love the process you show here.
Cheers! Happy New Year!

[PatekCollector]

Awesome job, Mik.

Well done my friend.