I’m still not over the fact that my favourite strapmaker has past.
Been an avid collector of her Bruno Allegrini straps.
Made a post about it a couple of years ago.
Trying to paste it here, if not I’ll make a new post with my current collection.
The Bruno leather was originally found by Simona’s father. The di Stefano’s are in the leather business for a couple of generations.
Simona’s grandfathers name is Bruno Allegrini.
Originally the “Mark 1” BA was introduced.
It later became know as “Mark 1” as she made a continuation of this strap named the “Mark 2”.
The mk1’s are from a different leather then the mk2’s. Mk1 was roughly the first 100 bucklenumbers.
Overall she produced 1000, plus some prototypes without a numbered buckle.
MK1:
Simona’s original text:
SMALL PRODUCTION RUN OF SPECIAL EDITION BRUNO ALLEGRINI GAMMA DIVERS STRAP. EACH STRAP COMES WITH INDIVIDUALLY HAND ENGRAVED OVERSIZED BUCKLE EXACTLY AS 1940'S WW2 MILITARY ISSUE TO GAMMA DIVERS. BRUNO LEATHER IS 5MM THICK AND HAS BEEN WASHED IN SEA-WATER FOR AUTHENTICITY AFTER SLIGHT BLACK AGEING PROCESS TO STRAP EDGES. ALL STRAPS HAVE 1 FIXED AND 2 FLOATING KEEPER - 3 KEEPERS IN TOTAL. AFTER WASHING THE BRUNO LEATHER IS HAND FINISHED WITH LEATHER CREAMS AND RETAINS ONCE AGAIN A SOFT SUPPLE FEEL.
These are, for me, easily recognisable as they are made from a different type leather then the MK2.
Some examples
My #36
My #45 before I got it:
When I first put it on my 372
MK2:
Simona’s original text:
NEW UPDATED RELEASE OF THE BRUNO ALLEGRINI DIVER STRAP . . . THE MARK 2
RETAINING ALL OF THE AUTHENTIC HISTORIC CHARACTER OF IT'S SISTER THE MARK ONE DIVER STRAP . . . NOW FAMOUS & INDESTRUCTIBLE BRUNO LEATHER FROM THE 1940'S . . . WASHED IN SEA WATER . . . 3 KEEPERS . . . AGAIN OVERSIZE DIVER BUCKLES INDIVIDUALLY HAND ENGRAVED WITH MILITARY ISSUE SERIAL NUMBERS (NO 2 STRAPS SAME NUMBER) . . . AFTER SEA WATER WASH STRAPS HAND FINISHED WITH LEATHER CREAMS FOR COMFORT . .
SPECIFICATION IMPROVEMENTS ON THIS LATEST MARK 2 EDITION INCLUDE.
* NEW COLOUR VINTAGE TAN BEFORE SEA WATER WASH
* ADJUSTMENT HOLES HAVE BEEN HAND CUT . . ROUND HOLES . . EXACTLY AS 1940'S MILITARY ISSUE TO GAMMA DIVERS
* BEFORE HAND ENGRAVING WITH INDIVIDUAL DIVER BUCKLE NUMBER BUCKLES HAVE BEEN TORCHED OR BLUED.
* COMES WITH AUTHENTICITY LABEL AND SPECIAL LEATHER POUCH WHICH IS LARGER AND HEAVIER GRADE LEATHER.
These are the “remaining” 900.
They are much more receptive for how they are used. There is almost not two exactly alike.
My #997 MK2
And then later Simona brought out a BA Salvage Diver:
Simona’s original text:
Our latest sea washed divers strap . . Retaining the perfect mostarda colour of the original MK1 Allegrini Diver however, the1940’S Bruno hide is now naturally textured or volanato in Italian.
Famous Bruno Allegrini 1940's leather hide heavilyy pre-wash in sea water before being cut into straps. The overall effect is a nice light wash showing texture (volanato) with a slightly Nu-Buck vintaged supple hand feel. Stitching benefits from not being washed after production.
Egdes are not blackened just aged/worn. Buckles are again oversized flat diver style but made from cast brass not steel, which has also been aged/antiqued and individually hand engraved with a unique serial number in WW2 style font.
No 2 straps will bear the same random number
I don’t know how many there were made.
I have 2, one original #25 and one custom ordered on the last remaining BA bucklenumber #418.
From left to right:
#45 MK1
#25 Salvage diver
#997 MK2
They’re like Pokemon for me: “Gotta catch ‘m all!”
Hope this explains what I find so special about this strap.
