It’s not often I’m able to make a little time in my schedule to make a new strap for one of my watches, but this morning I started work on a new leather strap for my Panerai 233. I wanted something special to celebrate finally getting this new website finished (a little treat for myself), so I chose the Vintage Stag leather – I don’t have much of this leather so I’ve been hesitating to use it for myself, but it is such a wonderful hide that I couldn’t resist any longer. I considered Natural thread for the stitching but in the end went with Olive Drab because I thought it would compliment the watch better – it’s a similar colour to the lume on the 233. I know this is subjective, but my preference has always been for low contrast stitching and now it’s finished, looking at the strap next to the watch I think that has worked well.
The Vintage Stag leather is about 40 years old and like any old leather it needed a bit of extra care before the strap was built, but after a bit of a massage with some neatsfoot oil and a post-build wax it is beautifully soft and comfortable from the start. As with any vintage leather there are a few marks and scratches on the leather, but for me that just adds to the character of the strap. As it gets worn it will develop a patina unique to itself, but I think it looks pretty good already!
