Made my first ever handmade strap tonight!

[gerard88t]

Gents,
Please give me some constructive feedback

I had some veg tanned horse lying around from when I designed my own utility belts last year. I figured to make a venture into handmade straps and this is results of my first one off. I learned a lot along the way and it took almost four hours to make this. I will be making more for sure as it was a great way for me to forget my worries

I need to soften it up with wear and need to purchase better tools to punch oblong holes for the buckle tag, but I am pretty stoked about how my first turned out.

Here a a bunch of pics (some immediately after it was done, after it was cleaned, and after it was oiled and bent to shape). Thanks for looking and critiquing

[gerard88t]

More...

[linesiders]

Nice

I'm thinking of doing one as well. Might as start another play project i can't complete

[andyboy39]

I must say, I think they look great...

[Tudor841]

Nice work on this first effort.

[gerard88t]

Thanks!
I also found some nice black topped veg tanned leather I plan to create more straps from. I was hoping to make one for my watch crazy friend (I promised I'd make him one) but it is very time consuming first time without a template or pattern.
I need to get some of these out to fellow collectors to see how they fly. I may like doing this more in my free time

[subtona]

awesome rock on!!!

[Tudor66]

Great work, and please tell me more about that 7928 Tudor. I recently put my Tudor year 1966 watch back in rotation. I also put a cheap 20 dollar leather strap in place of the old Rivet bracelet...

I think aged watches with yellow patina look and feel great on leather...though I am biased...!

[francis]

Very nice...

[joe100]

Very very nice!!

[gerard88t]

Originally Posted by Tudor66

Great work, and please tell me more about that 7928 Tudor. I recently put my Tudor year 1966 watch back in rotation. I also put a cheap 20 dollar leather strap in place of the old Rivet bracelet...

I think aged watches with yellow patina look and feel great on leather...though I am biased...!

Mine is from 65. Yours is gorgeous! Maybe one day yours might have a strap made by me on it, who knows
Too egotistical, I know I have a long way to grow before my fellow collectors ask me to build them a strap, but I would be stoked if I was commisioned!

[francis]

Btw I think white thread would really set them off nicely

[gerard88t]

My friend who is my mentor and tool provider even showed me some exotic leather he had under the work bench. I saw some black beautiful real lizard I asked him if I could design with sometime later. I want to make as unique a strap as my imagination allows.
Don't ask what drove me to see if I could build my own straps, but I just felt I could do it better than some I paid others to create for me. I really loved making this tonight, albeit has many flaws, I am feeling the pride that comes with creating :-)

[gerard88t]

Originally Posted by tablia

Btw I think white thread would really set them off nicely

I have a huge choice of thread color. I can do white next time. Maybe make one with same leather in white stitch for my 16523! Thanks for idea

[Stoner319]

Very nice and beefy!

[Clay]

Looks great...

[joseluu]

Any watch would be proud to walk around in those pants you made!!

[gerard88t]

You people are so kind! Thank you

I really would love some constructive criticism too. I think I want to get some of my straps out to our world, so maybe I can get help getting the right tools to really make the straps sing

[joseluu]

So, when gerard88t.com is a firm of success, we can always come back to this thread an look at the picture of the first strap it ever produced.

Just in case it ever happens... how much did you say this one was going for?

[Gmt1970]

That's a right chunky monkey , looks great, want one.

[vkychoo]

Looks great!

[gerard88t]

Originally Posted by joseluu

So, when gerard88t.com is a firm of success, we can always come back to this thread an look at the picture of the first strap it ever produced.

Just in case it ever happens... how much did you say this one was going for?

Thanks for compliment
I haven't had requests to make anyone one, but I would be happy to try.

[gerard88t]

Originally Posted by Gmt1970

That's a right chunky monkey , looks great, want one.

Thanks and when I have some more free time soon I will try to make a bunch from the same leather. I need to attack my next straps differently and I need buckles. I used up the one I had. I am focusing on 20mm widths. The holes need a closer placement I believe, and more holes for adjustments. I really would appreciate all encouragement to do much more

[swatty]

Great job

[gerard88t]

I dont want to miss saying thank you to everyone passing through and leaving compliments. You are all very kind and I appreciate fellow collectors commenting

[Vincent65]

good job - well done! Looks pretty thick!

[Darlinboy]

Very well done!

And I think it's a good match for your Tudor.

[DrLindaPhD]

great job

[Gmt1970]

You will have to let me know what a 20mm strap would cost, would look good on my 70s gmt. Cheers Gerard

[vintagewaferthin]

Wow! Looks great! That strap would look great on a Pam as well.