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31 December 2012, 08:45 AM | #1 |
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"Punch" drunk! Probable too many pics.
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.
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31 December 2012, 08:57 AM | #2 |
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You definitely deserve that Guinness! Well done!
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31 December 2012, 09:41 AM | #3 |
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Great instructional write up. Where can I get one of those punches for leather straps. I need one. Thanks
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31 December 2012, 10:47 AM | #4 | |
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Quote:
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/e...s/3003-00.aspx
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31 December 2012, 10:47 AM | #5 |
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Looks great!
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31 December 2012, 10:49 AM | #6 |
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Well done Mik - Looks good too! Cheers,
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31 December 2012, 10:55 AM | #7 | |
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Quote:
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31 December 2012, 11:01 AM | #8 |
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Great write up and beautiful strap!
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31 December 2012, 11:07 AM | #9 |
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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
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31 December 2012, 11:15 AM | #10 |
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Very nice
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31 December 2012, 11:24 AM | #11 |
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Congrats Mik - looks fantastic
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31 December 2012, 11:34 AM | #12 |
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Very cool. Man, that strap is thick.
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31 December 2012, 12:00 PM | #13 | |
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Thanks!
Quote:
Thanks. It isn't that thick but it is buttery soft. Very pliable.
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31 December 2012, 12:16 PM | #14 |
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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...
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31 December 2012, 12:29 PM | #15 |
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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
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31 December 2012, 12:29 PM | #16 | |
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Quote:
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.
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31 December 2012, 12:35 PM | #17 | |
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Quote:
This is a different strap below than the one I just punched above.
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31 December 2012, 12:40 PM | #18 |
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Crafty.
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31 December 2012, 12:42 PM | #19 |
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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 |
31 December 2012, 01:10 PM | #20 | |
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For ages 8+.
Quote:
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.
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31 December 2012, 02:13 PM | #21 |
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Thanks Mik for the tutorial. Gives me the confidence to maybe one day make my own holes!
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31 December 2012, 02:15 PM | #22 |
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Goog work, Mik. You're a few staps away from making your own straps :-)
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31 December 2012, 02:37 PM | #23 |
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good job..nicely done..
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31 December 2012, 02:46 PM | #24 |
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Nicely done. My wife gives me the "you gotta be freakin kidding me" look all the time too!
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31 December 2012, 11:56 PM | #25 |
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Great pictorial, Mik !!!! Killer combo with the 232
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1 January 2013, 12:50 AM | #26 | |||
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Thanks Panos.
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1 January 2013, 02:46 AM | #27 |
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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!
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1 January 2013, 11:22 AM | #28 | |
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Quote:
I learned on old straps I didn't like. I bought one for like $20 and punched away.
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1 January 2013, 03:45 PM | #29 |
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Your 232 combo is beautiful! Love the process you show here.
Cheers! Happy New Year!
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1 January 2013, 03:57 PM | #30 |
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Awesome job, Mik.
Well done my friend.
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