Watch straps for Panerai
Handmade Leather Straps for Panerai Watches
Traditional Pre-V style straps for Panerai watches, made to order in the UK by Toshi Straps. One thick piece of premium leather, folded and stitched by hand, with no padding and no shortcuts. Choose from over 100 leathers for your next Panerai strap.
Made by a Panerai owner, for Paneristi
I’m Rich, the maker behind Toshi Straps. I’ve collected watches for many years, but in 2003 I bought my first Panerai, a brand new PAM 24 Submersible. It was love at first sight, and I soon learned something that every Panerai owner comes to know: every time I changed the strap it changed the watch's character, making it feel like a new watch. It wasn't long before my strap collection far outnumbered my watches.
I like working with my hands, so in the summer of 2006 I signed up for a week-long introduction to leather working course with a master saddle maker in the north of England. I learned a lot there and I enjoyed it so much that I carried on making straps when I got home: first as a hobby for my own Panerai (by then I had four), then for friends, and before long for Paneristi I didn't know, who emailed asking whether I would make one for them.
On the watch forums I went by the name ‘Toshi’ (it's a long story!), so people started calling them Toshi straps, and the name stuck.
In 2007 I gave up my job and turned strap making into my career. Almost 20 years on, I wanted this page to explain what I do, and why I do it the way I do, for anyone looking for a quality strap for their Panerai.
Traditional Panerai straps, and why "Pre-V"
From the first Panerai watches in 1938 until the company was sold to the Vendôme Group in 1997 (now part of Richemont), every Panerai came with a simple leather strap. It was made from a single thick strip of leather, folded over on itself and stitched by hand. The strap was parallel width, with no filler or padding, and had a sewn-in buckle. The leather is folded three times, once at each lug and once at the buckle, hence the name "tri-fold".
After the Vendôme acquisition, Panerai relocated to Switzerland and many things changed, including the straps. Modern Panerai straps are machine stitched, often tapered, and use a thin veneer of full grain leather padded with fillers and cheaper backing leather. Straps and buckles from the earlier era are therefore known as Pre-V, short for pre-Vendôme, and that is the style I make.
Modern Panerai straps are OK, but I believe a traditional Pre-V style strap is better quality and will last far longer than a modern machine-made one, because the whole strap is premium leather rather than a thin veneer over fillers. Many of my customers are still wearing straps I made for them 10+ years ago, which backs that up. I also think a thicker, parallel Pre-V strap looks much better on a Panerai, modern or vintage.
There have been plenty of modern Panerai watches I've enjoyed, and although I've slimmed down my collection over the years I still own seven. For their straps, I always go for Pre-V style. My business has been built on making straps in this traditional way: the best quality leather, hand stitched, and nothing else.
The only change I've made is in length. The original watches were designed to be worn over a wetsuit, so the straps were very long. I can make a strap any length required. Not sure what length to order? My strap length guide gives recommended lengths by wrist size.
Which Panerai will they fit?
I make straps for every model of Panerai watch - Luminor, Radiomir and Submersible, past and present. You will need to know the lug width, but if you're unsure, contact me with the model number and I'll know.
Which buckle is right for a Panerai?
This is a question I get asked a lot, and both Pre-V and thumbnail styles work. Panerai watches originally came mainly with fishtail shaped sewn-in buckles, which is why that style is known as Pre-V, but thumbnail buckles don't look out of place either. My personal preference is always for a Pre-V style.
I stock a wide range of buckles, both Pre-V and thumbnail style, and you get your choice free with any strap I make. You can see them all on my buckles page.
Handmade Pre-V sewn-in buckles
I occasionally have a small number of sewn-in buckles made in the traditional Panerai Pre-V style as an upgrade. They are not a standard stock item, and they are more expensive, but they are fabulous buckles. When they’re available, I announce it on my blog, with details of how to add one to your strap order. If you have any questions about availability, contact me.
Leather, colours & price
I’ve spent years curating the selection in my store. Every leather is chosen because I believe it will make a high quality strap that suits a Panerai, and there are colours in just about any shade you can name.
But I don’t stop there. Before a new leather goes on sale, I make a prototype strap from it, photograph it for the store on my own PAM00000, the manual-wind ‘base’ Panerai, and wear it for a month to see how it wears. Only if it passes my personal trial do I add it to the store. You can read more about what I look for in my blog post on sourcing new leathers. Browse the whole range in my store.
The price of a strap depends on the leather you choose, but includes free delivery worldwide and a free buckle. All prices are in my store. Click any leather to see photographs, a description (including the approximate thickness of a strap made from it) and the price.
Lead time and how to order
The lead time depends entirely on how busy I am when you place your order, but is generally between 3-5 weeks from order to posting. I am confident that when your strap arrives you will feel that it was worth waiting for.
My ordering guide explains the process step by step. If anything is unclear, you can contact me.
What Paneristi say
"Rich at Toshi Straps was brilliant to deal with and my hand stitched burgundy strap arrived ahead of schedule and as ordered. Beautiful craftsmanship and the look and style especially elevates Panerai, I’d say even more so than a branded Panerai strap" - Martin, London, UK
"I ordered a beautiful black leather strap from Richard for my Panerai Luminor. From the very first contact, everything went to my complete satisfaction. Richard patiently listened to my questions because I was unsure about the size of the strap. His advice was very helpful. The strap itself is a wonderful piece of English craftsmanship and goes very well with the watch. Thank you once again." - Sascha, Berlin, Germany
"Richard at Toshi Straps does amazing work. The character of the straps I got from him is so far above everything else I’ve laid hands on. If you have a special watch, you got to pair it with his leather straps. He’s a throw back to bygone days. So Happy. " - John, North Carolina, USA
"I had a great experience with Toshi Straps. I'm really pleased with my strap both the quality of the workmanship and the materials. However the customer service is what really made the experience excellent. Rich reached out to me after my order to confirm the details and was extremely helpful, positive and friendly. I would not hesitate to order another strap from Toshi Straps." - Andrew, California, USA
Ready to order?
Choose your leather, pick a buckle, and I’ll make your strap by hand. Free delivery worldwide.