Straps

E
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I have in the past managed to find some decent quality NOS vintage military/tool watch style straps, always been fixed bars style, but haven’t had much luck lately.

Lately, been picking up some old wallets and clutch bags for the ostrich and croc with the intention of getting some made.

First couple I’m planning to get made based off a vintage Longines strap I have with a single, wide keeper. I did start wearing it, but started to split, so needs reproducing.

Really like the look of this guy’s work, so that’ll be first.

https://www.instagram.com/torrestraps/

Also like the like of these “HIMEJI KUROZAN” Japanese Cowhide straps

https://shorturl.at/td7CW

This, also. They offer plenty of options to customise.

https://handdn.com/product/black-shell-cordovan-leather-fixed-bars-watch-strap/

Not cheap, but worth it when the watch merits it.

Any experience of any of these, or others?
 
Dan S
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Maybe edit your title to indicate that you are asking about open-ended straps. The current title, "Straps," isn't terribly helpful.

Accurate-form makes a pretty good variety. I see that you found them already, but I can recommend them from first-hand experience.
 
E
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Dan S Dan S
Maybe edit your title to indicate that you are asking about open-ended straps. The current title, "Straps," isn't terribly helpful.

Accurate-form makes a pretty good variety. I see that you found them already, but I can recommend them from first-hand experience.
Thanks for reply, and apologies for confusion.
Not specifically looking for open-ended straps, it's just that open-ended were the only 40s/50s NOS that were tool watch suitable that seemed to have survived. Irrelevant really, I only have one fixed bar watch and it’s not a Longines.
Was going to title it Custom Straps but saw that was taken, will have a think, Bespoke Straps maybe.
 
seekingseaquest
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I’ve been buying Handdn straps lately, and I find them to be good value. A lot of people swear by Torre too.
 
Dan S
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E evansrc1
Thanks for reply, and apologies for confusion.
Not specifically looking for open-ended straps, it's just that open-ended were the only 40s/50s NOS that were tool watch suitable that seemed to have survived. Irrelevant really, I only have one fixed bar watch and it’s not a Longines.
Was going to title it Custom Straps but saw that was taken, will have a think, Bespoke Straps maybe.
Sorry, I misunderstood. If you are just looking for a thread about straps, there is a massive one with a lot of good recommendations.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/watch-strap-ressource-where-to-buy-good-quality-leather-watch-straps.82232/ Jonatan
Thread '«Watch strap ressource» Where to buy good quality leather watch straps' ·
I would like some information on where most of you get your watch straps? Most watch pictures I see on here are amazing and I can't seem to find similar items in Switzerland. Hirsh seems to have...
Jonatan ·
 
E
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Thanks for all the suggestions. I went with Torrestraps. I'd been buying some old handbags off eBay for the leather, and had one done in ostrich and another in blobby texture Croc or alligator, I think from the ankle. Both these were done copying a Vintage Longines Ostrich strap I had.

WhatsApp Image 2025-07-08 at 21.06.00.webp
 
SWmania
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E evansrc1
Thanks for all the suggestions. I went with Torrestraps. I'd been buying some old handbags off eBay for the leather, and had one done in ostrich and another in blobby texture Croc or alligator, I think from the ankle. Both these were done copying a Vintage Longines Ostrich strap I had.

WhatsApp Image 2025-07-08 at 21.06.00.webp
Super nice. Torre makes some real top notch straps.
So you sent him the old bags to make into straps?? Amazing.
 
E
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Subsequently turned into the worst experience I can recall having with any company. If after that I can face the hassle and expense of getting customs straps made again, it won't be him.
 
Dan S
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E evansrc1
Subsequently turned into the worst experience I can recall having with any company. If after that I can face the hassle and expense of getting customs straps made again, it won't be him.
Sorry to hear that. I've never ordered from him, but he receives rave reviews from many established OF members. Hopefully, this was just a one-off.
 
E
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Dan S Dan S
Sorry to hear that. I've never ordered from him, but he receives rave reviews from many established OF members. Hopefully, this was just a one-off.
Thanks. No complaint about the quality of his work, but he did a nice job of not doing what he was briefed to do. The whole point of spending the money to get custom straps made is that I wanted them done to my specifications.
In this instance a vintage Longines strap reproduced.
If I wanted straps to someone else's specifications, I'd just carry on buying them off the shelf.
The worst thing though was the subsequent dishonesty. Found this quite bizarre, as if a casual relationship with the truth and refusal to take responsibility was normal and my refusal to accept it and calling him out on it was the worst possible manners.
Also, especially considering the amount I paid for two straps I found the repeated pushing for more sales off-putting, and unusual from a company presenting as high-end. This included after he hadn't delivered on the first order and linked to getting that order resolved.
While he did offer to resolve it, this depended on me amicably accepting his lies, trusting him with more material and taking a chance that it could be done. His claim being that it couldn't be guaranteed. This I believe was partly down to the self-aggrandisement; everything is extremely challenging and dependent on his supreme abilities..
Tedious and not worth paying for the privilege to be subjected to the BS.
 
SWmania
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E evansrc1
Thanks. No complaint about the quality of his work, but he did a nice job of not doing what he was briefed to do. The whole point of spending the money to get custom straps made is that I wanted them done to my specifications.
In this instance a vintage Longines strap reproduced.
If I wanted straps to someone else's specifications, I'd just carry on buying them off the shelf.
The worst thing though was the subsequent dishonesty. Found this quite bizarre, as if a casual relationship with the truth and refusal to take responsibility was normal and my refusal to accept it and calling him out on it was the worst possible manners.
Also, especially considering the amount I paid for two straps I found the repeated pushing for more sales off-putting, and unusual from a company presenting as high-end. This included after he hadn't delivered on the first order and linked to getting that order resolved.
While he did offer to resolve it, this depended on me amicably accepting his lies, trusting him with more material and taking a chance that it could be done. His claim being that it couldn't be guaranteed. This I believe was partly down to the self-aggrandisement; everything is extremely challenging and dependent on his supreme abilities..
Tedious and not worth paying for the privilege to be subjected to the BS.
Thanks for sharing your opinions.

It does seem that he can be hard to deal with, and you had a very difficult time.
 
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