edgematic1 Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 (edited) Hey guys, I've been working for quite some time on this and finally had the chance to post some photos of my straps. I'm able to deliver straps for your timepieces. My main inspiration were the straps from Hermes. As you will probably notice. Here are some finished ones. This is a thread just to get a feeling if there would be any interest. My aim is to offer high quality straps only. Almost every type of skin is available, with Elephant being the most expensive one. I have not produced any buckles yet as I'm still undecided to start selling straps or not. Let me know your thoughts and if you'd be interested or not. The straps are all 100% hand made. Thanks. 1. Calf leather, cognac, will age beautifully 2. Etoupe, calf skin 3. Buffalo skin, honey color 4. Ostrich skin, dark brown 5. Alligator leather, grey Some straps upon request and other finished ones: Edited January 27, 2017 by edgematic1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSebWC Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 Nicely done. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ezio Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 Those looks great mate always enjoy good craftmanship Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panerai153 Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 Edge, Those look great!! I believe you will have a market for those. Also think about a 23mm X 20mm for the BP FF!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgematic1 Posted January 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 Just now, panerai153 said: Edge, Those look great!! I believe you will have a market for those. Also think about a 23mm X 20mm for the BP FF!! Thanks buddy. Concerning the BP FF I have in mind to make a gummy alligator strap. For now I won't sell nor take orders. It's a thought of making a business out of it and offcourse I'd need a market. Everything has to be legit when I start it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capre Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 I definitely belive that you will have a market for it. As long as the quality is high and the price is fair compared to what you get i cant see how its not going to thrive as a business. Like most business it starts small and grows with reputation. I'd buy one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sogeha Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 Those look fantastic, well done Sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtguk Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 Gorgeous straps mate and yes def a market on the boards and on the net for these I love the calfskin and the finish looks great too, I've just had a couple come in from D and these compare very well to them I'd buy from you too at the right pricing Important thing is whether the time spent is rewarded with the right $$ value I guess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 That #5 grey alligator would look dynamite on my old Gigandet chrono! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ1965 Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 Good stuff on offer here; but just like the comments before mine, pricing will be the deciding factor. I for one, wish you every success in your endeavour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UmpaHimself Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 Love the grey gator! I could see that on my paul newman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeenFiend Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkThis is a great quality strap I purchased from crown and caliber. It is better than $150 straps that I've purchased in the past. Cost only $30! Came with an extra loop that I took off due to having a large wrist and using the second to last hole. Didn't need it. Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkNicely done. Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkBravoSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P4GTR Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 They look great. That said... The strap market is saturated. China and Vietnam are pumping out $80-$150 straps and selling them for $40 shipped. You have a better chance of gaining a foothold if you hand stitched them. Price is the deciding factor not only for the buyers but the maker. One day you wake up and realize what you're doing is arguably slave labor. just .2c from someone that went through it.. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgematic1 Posted January 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2017 Thanks for the responses guys. Much appreciated. As for pricing, calf and buffalo should be €85, ostrich €120 and alligator €200. I am well aware of the asian strapmakers at cheap prices. Yet, those leathers are not sourced in France or Italy, often not the best part of the hide is being used, mostly machined instead of hand stitched etc. There are exceptions but overall i feel the leather quality is way below the top quality available from European tanneries. I mainly started these because for example straps from Hodinkee or Bulang (both from Menicucci) are overpriced vs their quality. They look cool, don't get me wrong but the quality is not what I'd expect at that price point. I'll think it through very well. If I'm selling it will be in small quantities, it's not my daily job and I like the fact that they're not widely available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panerai153 Posted January 29, 2017 Report Share Posted January 29, 2017 Edge, I could use a nice Matte black Alligator for my Rolex Day/Date !! Should you decide to start making them commercially. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sogeha Posted January 29, 2017 Report Share Posted January 29, 2017 There are two ways to make a business, undercut your competitors or find a niche market. In watch straps I would think the later is best. There are a few people who will always be prepared to pay a premium price for a premium product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panerai153 Posted January 30, 2017 Report Share Posted January 30, 2017 There are two ways to make a business, undercut your competitors or find a niche market. In watch straps I would think the later is best. There are a few people who will always be prepared to pay a premium price for a premium product. I agree. You aren't' going to get rich doing it, and you may well find that as was said above you are working for slave wages. Probably why a lot of folks start these businesses and after a while just shut everything down. There will always be a market for high quality well made products. Price that Edge quoted are certainly well within reason if the quality is there. They actually are a bargain compared to OEM. Straps. OEM prices are crazy!! It's completely silly to pay 500-700 USD for a strap, but that's what some of the high end watch manufacturers are charging for replacement straps. Realistically, the niche market is the only possibility. You sure as heck can't compete against the EBay sellers, I checked on EBay today, and they have pages of supposed "Alligator" straps selling for less than 50.00 USD including shipping. While I am very skeptical as to what species of animal the strap came from, they are probably fine for the average guy looking for a cheap strap.Keep up the good work Edge, I feel sure you will do well.Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeenFiend Posted February 23, 2017 Report Share Posted February 23, 2017 Thanks for the responses guys. Much appreciated. As for pricing, calf and buffalo should be €85, ostrich €120 and alligator €200. I am well aware of the asian strapmakers at cheap prices. Yet, those leathers are not sourced in France or Italy, often not the best part of the hide is being used, mostly machined instead of hand stitched etc. There are exceptions but overall i feel the leather quality is way below the top quality available from European tanneries. I mainly started these because for example straps from Hodinkee or Bulang (both from Menicucci) are overpriced vs their quality. They look cool, don't get me wrong but the quality is not what I'd expect at that price point. I'll think it through very well. If I'm selling it will be in small quantities, it's not my daily job and I like the fact that they're not widely available.This is a Crown & Buckle strap and it certainly isn't Asian. They are made in Florida using Horween leather sourced from Chicago. Nice try though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgematic1 Posted March 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 On 23-2-2017 at 4:56 PM, WeenFiend said: This is a Crown & Buckle strap and it certainly isn't Asian. They are made in Florida using Horween leather sourced from Chicago. Nice try though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Apart from the shell cordovan horween offers I feel their leathers are not refined enough for high quality straps. They won't get near let's say a Hermes strap. Which is what I'm trying to get to. I love the shell cordovan they offer. Hard to get due to low quantities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gasebah Posted March 2, 2017 Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 Looks like very nicely done craftsmanship. Kudos. But in all honesty I cannot think of a market that is more saturated than watch straps. I wouldn't even know how to get some marketing rolling that makes one really visible in the market. Unless you come up with something that cannot be easily reproduced like Rubber B or Everestbands, or at least sticks out like Gunny you would be lost in an ocean of competition. I can see that what you would offer is excellent quality but still... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgematic1 Posted March 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 I feel you and you are right, however, it's a fun thing, I like doing it and it's not like I want it to be my main job. I'd prefer to sell to the fora only tbh. I could not find any strapmaker meet my requirements so went for it myself. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilikewatchestoo Posted May 31, 2017 Report Share Posted May 31, 2017 Let me know if you found any that you like. I have been searching as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dlf Posted May 31, 2017 Report Share Posted May 31, 2017 Would love a tan Hermes style strap, would sell well too I presume as it's all the rage these days . great work, they look beautifully made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchme22 Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 Are you still making straps? I like this one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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