New Project-Watch Strap Making

[JimDon]

With all the vintage watches I've been accumulating over the past few months through thrift stores I thought it might be best to not spend so much money on the straps and try to make my own. I bought a leather making kit and some scrap leather off of eBay and this was my first finished strap. Not perfect but pretty good I think . What do you think?

 

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[Spartcom5]

Wow! That actually came out very nice!!! That'd definitely be one of those $30-40 straps you'd have to buy on eBay.

 

[tamrock]

That'll work. I've never thought of that. You could also find a source of real leather in the thrift stores in old purses and maybe some more exotic leathers from the old cowboy boots ??

 

[Drmad7]

That's crazy good!

 

[insontis]

Careful there, may have found yourself a new profession.

Have to ask - how much time went into it? I'm sure you'd get better/faster from here on out, but I was just wondering between time & supplies what you've got to put into a band. It does look quite nice and should boost the sales of any watch you slap 'em on!

 

[JimDon]

Careful there, may have found yourself a new profession.

Have to ask - how much time went into it? I'm sure you'd get better/faster from here on out, but I was just wondering between time & supplies what you've got to put into a band. It does look quite nice and should boost the sales of any watch you slap 'em on!

I put about thee hours into it. I also spent about $100 on supplies. This scrap leather was nine dollars on eBay and I can probably make 50 watchbands out of it. This is more about keeping my mind busy and enjoying the craft. It probably is cheaper to buy straps in the long run.

 

[insontis]

Still though. 50 bands x $10 a piece.. = $500/(three hours*50 bands)= $3/hour. That's still pretty good for an enjoyable hobby. And that's just $10 a piece. And that's assuming it'd take you 3 hours each time. Sure it's an enjoyable craft, but I'm thinking [custom] handmade watch bands (especially if you can add more detail) could land an easy $20 a piece. Maybe I'm crazy. .... Just looked them up on eBay and you can get them for $15-30+.. some people offer to put your initials on the band.

Just saying if that's how your first strap came out.. you're going to do well!

 

[GA_Boy]

Looks Perfect to me.
M

 

[JimDon]

Here is #2. A little shakey on the stitching but I am Getting the hang of it. The sewing took me about two hours but I am sure I can speed it up quite considerably with a little practice.

 

[WhiteTornado]

It looks like you're a natural at this. Both look good! As far as the stitching, I'll bet hardly anyone would notice if you were wearing it out somewhere.

 

[DFW_THer]

Nice!! Keep goin'.

 

[randazzo1]

Very impressive. Looks vintage and high-end.

 

[Paleo_joe]

Nice job!!