The Custom Strap Process

Our custom straps usually begin life as a simple idea in our customers’ heads. Sometimes it’s a very clear vision: a specific leather, colour, stitch, and taper already mapped out. Other times, it’s just a feeling: “I want something that feels right for this watch.” Our job is to take that idea and turn it into something tangible that you can wear every day.

While we do accept custom and made-to-order requests online, we always recommend dropping by in person if you’re based in Singapore. Being able to see and touch the leather samples in real life makes a huge difference. Photos can only show so much; leather has texture, depth, and character that really needs to be experienced firsthand. An in-person visit also lets us walk you through the finer details, things like thickness, padding, stitching style, edge finish, and taper, all of which subtly but significantly affect how a strap looks and feels on the wrist.

Once all the details are locked in and your order is confirmed, the real work begins. From start to finish, a custom strap typically takes around four weeks to produce. Here’s a closer look at what happens behind the scenes during that time.

Choosing the leather

At this point, you might be thinking - didn’t I already choose the leather? In a broad sense, yes, you’ve selected the leather type, colour, and finish. But leather is a natural material, and no two hides are ever the same. Each piece has its own grain patterns, stretch characteristics, scars, wrinkles, or subtle imperfections.

Before any cutting begins, we carefully inspect the hide to select the most suitable section for your strap. This step is especially important for wider straps, longer lengths, or exotic leathers, where consistency and structural integrity matter more. Areas near the edges of a hide may be thinner or more prone to stretching, while sections with scars or uneven grain might not age as gracefully.

By choosing the right part of the leather from the start, we ensure that your strap not only looks good on day one, but also holds its shape and character over years of wear.

Cutting the leather to size

Once the leather has been selected, we move on to cutting both the upper leather and the lining leather to size.

Accuracy here is crucial. A fraction of a millimetre off can affect how the strap fits between the lugs, how it tapers toward the buckle, or how it sits on the wrist. The lining leather is also carefully chosen and cut to match the upper, as it plays a big role in comfort and durability, especially in warm and humid climates like Singapore.

At this stage, the strap components finally start to look like… well, a strap, albeit a very raw one.

Joining the upper and lining leathers

With both layers cut, the upper leather and lining are bonded together using a specialised leather adhesive. This isn’t just about sticking two pieces together; it’s about creating a uniform structure that won’t bubble, separate, or warp over time.

If you’ve opted for padding, this is the stage where it’s added. Padding affects more than just appearance, it changes how the strap curves around your wrist and how substantial it feels when worn. Some watches benefit from a slimmer, flatter profile, while others look better with a bit of presence and structure.

Once bonded, the strap blanks are left to set before the stitching process begins.

Stitching the strap

After the glue has cured, stitching holes are punched along the edges of the strap. For our custom straps, we use saddle stitching, a traditional hand-sewing method that relies on two needles and a single length of waxed thread.

Unlike machine stitching, saddle stitching creates interlocking stitches along the seam. This means that even if one stitch were to fail, the rest of the seam won’t unravel. It’s more time-consuming than machine stitching, but it’s significantly stronger and more durable, exactly what you want for something that’s worn daily and constantly under tension.

At the end of the stitch run, a double lock stitch is used to secure the thread, ensuring longevity and a clean finish.

Edge finishing

Once stitching is complete, attention turns to the edges. The edges are first creased to give them definition and structure, then painted and sealed. Depending on the leather and the chosen finish, this may involve multiple layers of edge paint, with drying and sanding in between.

Good edge finishing is one of those details that often goes unnoticed until it’s done poorly. Clean, smooth edges elevate the entire strap and help protect it from moisture and wear over time.

Hole punching

Once the edges have been finished and cured, the strap moves on to hole punching, if required. Using a punch sized specifically for watch straps, we carefully mark and punch each hole to ensure even spacing and clean edges. This step might seem simple, but accuracy here is crucial: poorly aligned holes can affect comfort, aesthetics, and how the strap sits on the wrist. For straps with a fixed wrist size or deployant clasp, this stage ensures the final fit is spot on, giving the strap its last functional detail before final inspection and delivery.

Keeper loops & embossing

In the final stages, the keeper loops are glued and sewn into place. These small components do a lot of work, keeping excess strap neatly tucked away and maintaining a clean look on the wrist.

If embossing has been requested, whether it’s branding, sizing, or a personalised detail, it’s done at this point. This is usually the very last step, marking the strap as complete and ready to be worn.

Final Thoughts

A custom strap isn’t just another product to us. It’s the result of hours of careful work, small decisions, and traditional techniques coming together to create something personal and lasting. From selecting the right part of a hide to the final stitch and emboss, every step is done with intention.

We hope this behind-the-scenes look gives you a deeper appreciation of what goes into each custom strap we make. At the end of the day, a watch strap might seem like a small thing, but when done right, it has the power to completely change how you experience your watch.