FANTASTIC new strap from Savage!

[hooligan]

OK, I just got a new custom strap from Savage.

It's a beautiful dark brown leather that is pliable and quite soft to the touch. It's very dark brown in some areas and lighter brown in others. It gets lighter when you bend it, almost like a pull-up leather, but not quite as pronounced.

Scot used a new thread called "Chinese Rust" for this strap, since we both thought it would match the "train tracks" around the edge of the California dial very well. Let me tell you, it absolutely does!

This strap is perfect for this watch, IMO. The thread color, as well as the brown of the strap matching with the dark brown of the dial give the watch a very consistent overall theme.

Scot, I hope you're buying more of this hide, as I plan to order a couple more straps in this leather from you!

As usual, the dead end stitching, side finishing and finishing on the strap keeper is all top notch. This, and all my recent purchases from Scot (and Tootall) are without question on par with any of the well known custom strap makers that I've owned (SMAT/Walter, HK Tan, Greg Stevens).

Scot, you've outdone yourself yet again! This strap is beyond my expectations in every category!

Here are some pics:

Thanks again, Scot! I really couldn't be happier.

 

[MK08]

WOW! Hooligan looks awesome, great combo with the Cali, very, very nice.

 

[brtelec]

You are right it looks great on that watch. Very nice.

 

[Highflyingclive]

OK.. but I prefer the stap that Aaron made for my Cali...

 

[hooligan]

Very nice, but yours is a black dial and no coppery-red "train tracks" on the dial. :wink: I don't think that strap would work as well on my watch as it does on yours, and probably vice versa.

This hide is really perfect for "vintage" watches, because of the character of the leather. Obviously the Chinese Rust thread isn't for every watch, but with a different color thread this strap is just as at home on a Fiddy, 217 or 6152.

 

[brtelec]

I really like the way the sides of this strap are finished Clive. Looks great.

 

[hooligan]

I've had straps from Aaron in the past and they are great, I absolutely had no problems with either of them. I simply refuse to wait 4-6 months to get a strap from him, or anyone else for that matter. I got this strap from Scot in just over a week!

br, the sides of Clive's strap appear to be finished just like any other strap (although the color of the edge dressing does match the color of the leather REALLY well), what is it that you see that grabbed your attention?

 

[ganjamun]

Hooligan: That's a very nice strap! Savage makes quality straps... His straps are on almost all my Pams!

 

[brtelec]

Hooligan, I do not care much for the rough finish on the sides of so many of the thick leather straps. I like the smooth, rounded look of this strap. I also like the way the sides transition to the top and bottom surfaces so seamlessly. It just jumps out at me. I have straps that are finished similar to this but not quite so nicely. I have to agree though about the time, There is very few things I would wait that long for. 4 to 6 months is just an excessive amount of time to wait for a watch strap. I understand it, when you find some one whose work you like, you should stick with them. I believe in customer loyalty.

 

[derkai75]

fantastic looking, very nice !! enjoy it !!

 

[hooligan]

Hooligan, I do not care much for the rough finish on the sides of so many of the thick leather straps. I like the smooth, rounded look of this strap. I also like the way the sides transition to the top and bottom surfaces so seamlessly. It just jumps out at me. I have straps that are finished similar to this but not quite so nicely. I have to agree though about the time, There is very few things I would wait that long for. 4 to 6 months is just an excessive amount of time to wait for a watch strap. I understand it, when you find some one whose work you like, you should stick with them. I believe in customer loyalty.

I can certainly agree with that. I think the fact that the colors of the edge dressing and the hide match so closely that it undoubtedly adds to the smooth transition. As I said, Aaron does great work, I've never tried to argue that.

 

[soysauce8]

leather so soft

 

[tootall]

That's a great looking strap there Hooligan. The Chinese Rust thread really does set it off.

@ brtelec, the reason that Hktan's sides look like that is because he uses a bench grinder/drill with an attachment to finish his edges. This is the same way Greg and others "burnish" their edges. So if you prefer the machined edge look, that is what you are getting. Now that's not to say you couldn't get close to that by hand, but it would not look that slick as a bench grinder is moving at a much faster rpm. Savage's work is 100% handmade. There are very few strap makers left that you can say that about.

 

[ZainoDetail]

Hooligan: that's an incredible combo you've got there.

 

[brtelec]

First let me say I judge each strap on it's own, as I posted at the beginning of this thread, I really like hooligans Savage strap. It is gorgeous. The strap Aaron produced and seen here in the color, the finish, it just struck me as really nice looking. And for the record Tootall I have not seen a strap produced by you that I did not think was perfect. I really like the overall look you produce and the time and patience that goes into your work is obvious. I can not say that about everyone else. No offense, to any other makers you all produce some items I love. Tootall, just for clarification, I am the one waiting on the rattlesnake right now. I did not mean to swat the hornets nest.

 

[tootall]

First let me say I judge each strap on it's own, as I posted at the beginning of this thread, I really like hooligans Savage strap. It is gorgeous. The strap Aaron produced and seen here in the color, the finish, it just struck me as really nice looking. And for the record Tootall I have not seen a strap produced by you that I did not think was perfect. I really like the overall look you produce and the time and patience that goes into your work is obvious. I can not say that about everyone else. No offense, to any other makers you all produce some items I love. Tootall, just for clarification, I am the one waiting on the rattlesnake right now. I did not mean to swat the hornets nest.

Hey,

I in no way am angry or upset. I should have put a few more in so people would see that. I was just pointing out "how" those edges came to be. Chat can come across in different tones, and I apologize if mine seemed in any way angry. I like Hktan's work. I was just letting others know "how" those edges came to be.

 

[hooligan]

Personally, any peek "behind the curtain" is welcomed. It feels a little bit like being in on a secret. 8)

Thanks for the insight tootall. One of these days I'll get a halfway decent light tent set up and take some pics of the blue steel on my 010D and the black/titanium stitch on my 210 for you. I have some pics now, but they're not great. Maybe I should send my watches to jiro for some glamour shots? :lol: [smilie=alien.gif]

 

[brtelec]

Actually Tootall your post did not seem angry It seemed defensive somewhat, and I felt like an asshole because I thought I had rubbed you the wrong way. Alright well thats cleared up.

 

[Gill777]

Hooligan,
That strap is awesome with that watch (dial). It looks like it was designed for it. Apples to apples, Savage makes the best straps! Wear it well, and if you ever get tired of them PM me.