Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?
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Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?
So have noticed in the last 5 years that those little wrap-around stitches in contrasting colors near the lugs becoming really common. Now, well-patterned length-wise stitching is obviously attractive (especially in a padded strap), but this other feels to me like pretentiousness (sort of like how picture framers where doing triple-matting in the 1990s) and you have to ask if the band is trying to be the subject of the exercise, rather than an accessory.
I purchased a very slim (34mm) Soviet Dress Watch recently (see attached #1) and it seemed to cry-out for a sleek, avant garde strap. Much of my collection is either fanciful (on the lighter end) or downright bombastic on the deep end.
After spending WAY TOO MUCH TIME looking at what's out there (having initially thought I'd go with Stingray, and then hand-tooled leather), I ran into Epi Leather and knew this was the thing (see attached #2). BUT there is that funky stitching again! I asked the lady making the strap in Vietnam if it was important to make the strap stronger, and she said it was like 10% more durable with it, but that she could just as easily NOT.
Is there something wrong with me? I just don't like this. One of my bands has it, but I honestly didn't notice for ever because it was exactly the same color as the leather.
BTW these cool Raketa "Jeans" watches are exactly the right size to use a Vintage Swatch Guard - so will be using a clear one on it! Will post later showing how it all looks.
How do you all feel - Yay or Nay?
I purchased a very slim (34mm) Soviet Dress Watch recently (see attached #1) and it seemed to cry-out for a sleek, avant garde strap. Much of my collection is either fanciful (on the lighter end) or downright bombastic on the deep end.
After spending WAY TOO MUCH TIME looking at what's out there (having initially thought I'd go with Stingray, and then hand-tooled leather), I ran into Epi Leather and knew this was the thing (see attached #2). BUT there is that funky stitching again! I asked the lady making the strap in Vietnam if it was important to make the strap stronger, and she said it was like 10% more durable with it, but that she could just as easily NOT.
Is there something wrong with me? I just don't like this. One of my bands has it, but I honestly didn't notice for ever because it was exactly the same color as the leather.
BTW these cool Raketa "Jeans" watches are exactly the right size to use a Vintage Swatch Guard - so will be using a clear one on it! Will post later showing how it all looks.
How do you all feel - Yay or Nay?
- Thegreyman
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Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?
I think it works with a vintage leather style strap on certain watches with a retro look. I have one on my blue alcantara Martu strap worn with the BB58 blue. Not sure they would work with more of a dress watch though.
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- strapline • jkbarnes
Patrick
C60 Pro 300, C60 Sunrise, C63 Sealander Lucerne blue LE, C65 Dartmouth, W11 Amelia (wife), C63 Sealander (son)
Some others + a few on the way
C60 Pro 300, C60 Sunrise, C63 Sealander Lucerne blue LE, C65 Dartmouth, W11 Amelia (wife), C63 Sealander (son)
Some others + a few on the way
Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?
No thank you
Current collection = Omega Seamaster 2225.80.00, Omega Speedmaster 'Moonphase' 3576.50.00, Breitling Aerospace Evo, Vintage Azur, Vintage Seiko Sprtsman, Grand Seiko SBGX059, Omega SMP NTTD 210.92.42.20.01.001, Casioak Milkyway, Casioak Tiffany Sky.
- strapline
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Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?
Big yay from me. Need to be a really good vintage leather though...
Des
Des
Does melancholy count as two of your five daily servings?
Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?
I probably prefer without, although its not the end of the world. I tend to pick dressier straps, which often come without, but I bought a CW Tiber which does have have the stitches. Am I right thinking that strap edges tend to be finished differently with the lug-stitching?
- jkbarnes
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Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?
My thoughts, exactly. It works on the right strap with the right watch. I have a Tiber strap that looks great on my vintage inspired Seiko diver, but I wouldn’t dream of putting it on my C65 AMGT LE. In much the same way, I wouldn’t put a rally strap on a diver.Thegreyman wrote: ↑Thu Nov 25, 2021 7:20 am I think it works with a vintage leather style strap on certain watches with a retro look. I have one on my blue alcantara Martu strap worn with the BB58 blue. Not sure they would work with more of a dress watch though.
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- Amor Vincit Omnia
Drew
Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?
In most cased Nay, but there could be situations where it would be a yay. It would depend on the watch and my mood.
C7 Rapide Quartz, C60 Pro 300 Chronograph Quartz, C3 Malvern Chronograph, C7 Rapide Chronograph Quartz, C65 AM GT LE, C7 Rapide Chrongraph LE, C65 Trident Diver HW, C5 Malvern 595, C65 Trident GMT Pepsi
- Amor Vincit Omnia
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Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?
Good answer. And the best judge of “right” is? Yep, the wearer.
So my equally brief answer would be: “Sure. Why not?”
Make your own rules.
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- jkbarnes
Steve
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
- WileyECoyote
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Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?
One of my watches, the C1 Morgan 3 Wheeler Chronometer, has that type of stitching with a dark brown leather strap. I think in this particular case, that type of stitching makes for a perfect choice because how it lends a vintage feel to a watch representing as vintage a line of automobiles as to be found. I do like the way that it looks with that watch. I think that stitching would look good for certain pilot's watches if a vintage flair is desired. In most cases, that type of stitching isn't the way that I would go. Such matters are highly subjective & personal in nature. Like Steve wrote, the only rules are the ones that we make for ourselves.
Delmar
Delmar
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Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?
I have a Tiber leather strap on my C60 so another "Yay" from me.
I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left
Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?
Yes from me, I like this style of stitching and have a leather on my El Primero and a canvas on my trident with it.
Iain’s Law: Any discussion on the Christopher Ward forum, irrespective of the thread title or subject matter, will eventually lead to someone mentioning the Bel Canto if the thread continues for long enough.
Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?
Yay from me, in the right circumstances.
On a vintage styled watch they can look just the part. However, they ideally need to be featured on a strap constructed from one, single thickness of leather. No laminated or padded variants here please!
If the strap is constructed from more than one layer of leather/lining/padding, then I’d opt to ditch them and go for simple side stitching only.
Just my opinion, keep well
C
On a vintage styled watch they can look just the part. However, they ideally need to be featured on a strap constructed from one, single thickness of leather. No laminated or padded variants here please!
If the strap is constructed from more than one layer of leather/lining/padding, then I’d opt to ditch them and go for simple side stitching only.
Just my opinion, keep well
C
CW Watches - Malvern, Dartmouth, Lympstone, Sandhurst, Elite 1000, c60 300 Quartz.
Recently started hand making most of the leather straps you’ll see on my watches, happy to consider bespoke order for forum members.
Recently started hand making most of the leather straps you’ll see on my watches, happy to consider bespoke order for forum members.
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Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?
I always associate the side stitch with vintage straps, and I like the added detail. Otherwise it’s just a strap.
My name is 0uatiOW, but before you ask, no I don’t.
“Exquisitely minging” MissF, 19 July 2022
Just call me Diderot
“Exquisitely minging” MissF, 19 July 2022
Just call me Diderot
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Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?
She said in the case of mine it is the same, just doesn't have those put on (probably glued).JAFO wrote: ↑Thu Nov 25, 2021 9:12 am I probably prefer without, although its not the end of the world. I tend to pick dressier straps, which often come without, but I bought a CW Tiber which does have have the stitches. Am I right thinking that strap edges tend to be finished differently with the lug-stitching?
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