Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?

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artphotodude
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Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?

Post by artphotodude »

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. :D :clap:

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.


s-l1600.jpg
el.jpg


How do you all feel - Yay or Nay? :?:
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Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?

Post by Thegreyman »

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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Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?

Post by golfjunky »

No thank you
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Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?

Post by strapline »

Big yay from me. Need to be a really good vintage leather though...

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Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?

Post by JAFO »

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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Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?

Post by Mikkei4 »

Not for me thanks.
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Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?

Post by jkbarnes »

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.
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.

D1F20707-040F-4364-8C3A-492810EEF6B1.jpeg
Not the best pic, but you can get the idea
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Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?

Post by Leon O »

In most cased Nay, but there could be situations where it would be a yay. It would depend on the watch and my mood.
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Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

jkbarnes wrote: Thu Nov 25, 2021 3:38 pm It works on the right strap with the right watch.
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. :thumbup:
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Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?

Post by WileyECoyote »

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. :thumbup:

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Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?

Post by exHowfener »

I have a Tiber leather strap on my C60 so another "Yay" from me.
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Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?

Post by iain »

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.
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Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?

Post by Jcalder68 »

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

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Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?

Post by 0uatiOW »

I always associate the side stitch with vintage straps, and I like the added detail. Otherwise it’s just a strap.
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Re: Lug-Stitching on Leather Straps - Yay or Nay?

Post by artphotodude »

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?
She said in the case of mine it is the same, just doesn't have those put on (probably glued).
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