Well I have to admit I was never a big fan of Gator straps.. I had many in the past years and i always selling them because they were just not me.. i always wear jeans and t-shirts so they looked too formal.
When I bought my 118 I have seen a photo with a Simona gator combo which looked divine..
Although I know Simona and she gives me good discounted prices on her straps, still 200+ was too much since I didn't know I would like it in the end. Plus this strap was not distressed by her but by a customer..
So I decided to commision a custom made one to Brent (xlr8tn) aka. 'Cajun straps'.
I remember Brent when he was starting making straps asking me for help with tools, threads etc.. and i have seen the result on mjmurphy's and siesta's gator straps and they looked very very nice.
So I got two of them.. One is the dark brown with a hint of grey /ash something colour.. Amazing colour 100% match with the panerai tobacco dial and it is made with the utmost detail in mind.. It is thicker in the lugs to compliment the watch and thinner in the end of the tongue for the elegant look.
The other is the replication of the distressed Simona strap. This one started as a normal dark brown gator and he distressed it for me. Not very much so when it came home I gave it my personal touch. I did it more with sandpaper and now it looks perfect as well. I also burnished the edges. This one is more vintage style with the same thickness all the way through but again the detail in craftmanship is amazing.
A very difficult strap to photograph...
Finally I asked him for a small scrap piece of leather to try different methods of distressing and he has sent me a fully finished piece which of course I decided to do a keychain for my car key instead of ruining it
Now I am waiting for him to bring honey and black hides for my 112
When I bought my 118 I have seen a photo with a Simona gator combo which looked divine..
Although I know Simona and she gives me good discounted prices on her straps, still 200+ was too much since I didn't know I would like it in the end. Plus this strap was not distressed by her but by a customer..
So I decided to commision a custom made one to Brent (xlr8tn) aka. 'Cajun straps'.
I remember Brent when he was starting making straps asking me for help with tools, threads etc.. and i have seen the result on mjmurphy's and siesta's gator straps and they looked very very nice.
So I got two of them.. One is the dark brown with a hint of grey /ash something colour.. Amazing colour 100% match with the panerai tobacco dial and it is made with the utmost detail in mind.. It is thicker in the lugs to compliment the watch and thinner in the end of the tongue for the elegant look.
The other is the replication of the distressed Simona strap. This one started as a normal dark brown gator and he distressed it for me. Not very much so when it came home I gave it my personal touch. I did it more with sandpaper and now it looks perfect as well. I also burnished the edges. This one is more vintage style with the same thickness all the way through but again the detail in craftmanship is amazing.
A very difficult strap to photograph...
Finally I asked him for a small scrap piece of leather to try different methods of distressing and he has sent me a fully finished piece which of course I decided to do a keychain for my car key instead of ruining it
Now I am waiting for him to bring honey and black hides for my 112