CentaurStraps Store - Handmade watch straps and other leather goods

During the last two months I was preparing my online store, yes things get serious now! I've developed everything myself and now that it's ready to go public I'm quite happy with the site. I will have two basic watch strap lines, the Urban Line and the Vintage Line. Also a number of watch accessories and other leather goods will be available.

The grand opening is set for Saturday August 31 and it's a fresh start for me on so many levels. I'm really excited!

The web store address is: https://centaurstraps.com (will be live on Saturday).

I will keep posting content here but I highly recommend you to check my website from now on, I also have a blog there for all the news, updates, offers etc.

Take care,
Costas

The rise of urban watch straps

Ok so I'm back in business. During the last week, I was trying to figure out what will be the best start for a new line of watch straps. Something classic or modern? Maybe vintage? A lot of ideas but nothing to stand out for a fresh start.

Until one day, I realised that the question is not about the style of a watch strap, it's about our lifestyle. We expect all our wearables to match our lifestyle so why trying to find a watch strap based on abstract criteria like modern or classic, in the end it's not a new sofa or carpet that you're buying.

Instantly I thought all the nine-to-fivers and their everyday lifestyle. During the weekdays, they spend some time doing things at home, at least 8 hours at work and some time for fun and workouts. In other words urban lifestyle. Say hello to the "Urban Watch Straps" Line!

It's still a work in progress but in short they will be at least 3 variations and multiple choices for colours and dimensions. The basic characteristic of these watch straps is the comfort to wear them for long hours during the weekdays. Needless to say that everything is and will be handmade and tailored to the exact needs of each individual. 

A sneak peak of the Urban Line, is shown below:

Hope you like it!

It's being a long long time....

It's being a while since the last time that I remember to work on making watch straps. Almost 5 years! At that time I decided to focus more on collecting watches rather than making leather stuff. And being a watch strap maker, it's kinda funny to buy straps from others.

Two weeks ago I was cleaning up my garage and saw some of the leather hides that I had. It was a matter of one hour to setup my old office, the leather tools and the rest of the hardware. I was excited, I was back and I realised my true passion for making leather stuff.

So here I am, I decided to create a number of new series of watch straps based on quality, heritage and innovation. Focus will be on Panerai but equal offerings will be provided for Rolex, IWC, Tudor, Omega and all the other brands. Stay tuned and follow me on this journey, we'll make great stuff together!

Take care,
Costas

20mm handmade crocodile watch strap

This is a 20 mm handmade crocodile watch strap. The leather is genuine crocodile tail, really unique! Will fit to a number of watches with 20mm lugs including models from Rolex, Omega, Seiko etc. Let me know if you need help.

Details about the leather strap:
- Black with finished edges
- Lining with top quality leather
- 20mm brushed stainless steel buckle will be included
- Stitched with 18/3 linen thread. Black color.
- 1 floating + 1 fixed keeper.
- 20 mm wide, ~3 mm thick
- 120 mm x 78 mm dimensions

Note that a brushed or polished buckle will be added for free. Also, I have not punched any holes for the buckle yet, they will be added according to your preference (3, 4, 5 etc). Just contact me for your preference.

You can buy this strap directly from my Etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/228001907/20mm-handmade-crocodile-watch-strap-a

black handmade leather watch strap

Lava brown handmade leather watch strap

That's a lava brown leather watch strap, hand-dyed & hand-stiched. It's about 4mm thick and the leather is veg. tanned cowhide from the shoulder of the animal. It came from an Italian tannery. I used 25/3 linen thread for this.

Feel free to contact me for a similar strap at: centaurstraps@gmail.com

26mm handmade leather watch strap 26/24mm

This is a mahogany vintage style 26mm handmade watch strap narrowed down to 24mm in the buckle. The leather for the strap is top quality full grain cowhide vegetable tanned leather. It's from the shoulder of the animal adding a lot of character. It's from a UK tannery. It has been treated with some oil and wax and it will create a beautiful patina over time. The inside of the strap has been further distressed to add more vintage look, check the last pic.

Details about the leather strap:
- Mahogany vintage style with black finished edges.
- 26mm in the lugs
- 24 mm brushed stainless steel buckle
- 2 stainless steel tubes
- Double stitched with 25/3 linen thread. Box stitched
- 1 large floating keeper
- ~4 mm thick
- About 140 mm x 78 mm
- 5 holes, distance of first hole to lug: 4.5 mm.

This is the actual item that you will receive. Let me know if you need tubes (for Panerai watches), they will be added for free.

Available now in my Etsy shop, check the link on the right!

Olive Green handmade leather watch strap 24 mm with pre-v buckle --- [SOLD]

This is an olive green 24mm handmade watch strap with a pre-v 24mm buckle. The leather for the strap is top quality full grain cowhide vegetable tanned leather. It's from the shoulder of the animal adding a lot of character. It's from a UK tannery. It has been treated with some oil and wax and it will create a beautiful patina over time.

Details about the leather strap:
- Distressed olive green with black finished edges.
- 24 mm black mat buckle
- Box Stitched, double stitched with 25/3 linen thread in dark grey color.
- 2 floating keepers
- 24 mm wide, ~4 mm thick
- About 135 mm x 80 mm
- 5 holes, distance of first hole to lug: 4.5 mm.

This is the actual item that you will receive. Tubes (for Panerai watches) can be added for free upon request.

Available now in my Etsy shop, check the link on the right!

New leather available for your next vintage watch strap!

I just dyed three pieces of leather, an olive green, a mahogany brown and a dark brown. All in vintage look and feel. They come from a cowhide shoulder, with a lot of character. Great vegetable tanned leather. Really love them!

Note that the watch strap will be about ~4+ mm thick and that the colors can be further darkened upon request.

If you also like them, just contact me to create a custom watch strap for you!

My e-mail: centaurstraps@gmail.com

Vintage Style handmade leather watch strap 24 mm with pre-v buckle --- [SOLD]

This is a light brown 24mm handmade watch strap with a brushed pre-v 24mm buckle. The leather for the strap is top quality full grain cowhide vegetable tanned leather. It's from the shoulder of the animal adding a lot of character.  It's from a UK tannery.  It has been treated with some oil and wax, it has been distressed and it will create a beautiful patina over time.

Details about the leather strap:
- vintage look with finished edges.
- 24 mm brushed buckle
- Double stitched with 18/3 linen thread in natural (ecru) color.
- 1 ammo style keeper
- 24 mm wide,  ~4 mm thick
- 135 mm x 80 mm
- 5 holes, distance of first hole to lug: 4.5 mm.

This is the actual item that you will receive.

Available now in my Etsy shop, check the link on the right!

22mm leather watch band - Handmade veg tanned leather watch strap

This is a 22 mm handmade watch strap with a 22mm brushed buckle. The leather for the strap is top quality full grain cowhide vegetable tanned leather. It's from the shoulder of the animal. It's from a UK tannery. I'm physically aging this leather without dying it using natural oils, waxes and the sun, no dye added!

Details about the leather strap:
- physically tanned (not dyed) with unfinished edges
- 22 mm brushed stainless steel buckle
- Double stitched with 25/3 linen thread. Gray color.
- 1 Ammo style keeper.
- 22 mm wide, ~4.5 mm thick
- 135 mm x 80 mm

This is the actual item that you will receive.

Available now in my Etsy shop, check the link on the right!

24mm watch band - Handmade leather watch strap double stitched --- [SOLD]

This is a 24 mm handmade watch strap with a pre-v 24mm buckle. The leather for the strap is top quality full grain cowhide vegetable tanned leather. It's from the shoulder of the animal. It's from a UK tannery. I'm physically aging this leather without dying it using natural oils, waxes and the sun!

Details about the leather strap:
- physically tanned (not dyed) with unfinished edges
- 24 mm brushed stainless steel buckle (polished buckle available per request)
- 2 stainless steel tubes
- Double stitched with two 25/3 linen threads. Drub color.
- 2 floating keepers.
- 24 mm wide, ~4 mm thick (fits 44mm Panerai and similar watches)
- 138 mm x 78 mm
- 5 holes, distance of first hole to lug: ~4.2 mm.

This is the actual item that you will receive.

Available now in my Etsy shop, check the link on the right!

Panerai Style handmade leather keychain, leather keyfob with quality keyring and 24mm pre-v buckle

This is a handmade dark brown leather keychain (panerai style) with a pre-v 24mm buckle attached. The leather for the keychain is top quality full grain cowhide vegetable tanned leather. It's from the butt of the animal which is the best and most expensive leather. It's from a UK tannery. It has been treated with some wax and oil. It will create a beautiful patina over time.

Details about the leather keychain / keyfob:

- Vintage style Dark Brown color

- 33mm stainless steel keyring

- 24 mm brushed stainless steel buckle

- Handstitched (box style) with best quality 18/3 linen thread in brownl color.

- 80mm long, 24 mm wide, ~3 mm thick

- Finished edges with brown edge kote.

- Stamped on the back with my logo using old letterpress fonts.

This is the actual item that you will receive. Contact me for a custom order for a different color, dimensions etc.

Available now on my Etsy shop:

Panerai leather keychain

Vintage sun tanned ammo style handmade leather watch strap 24 mm [SOLD]

The strap is ready, check the previous posts for making of.

This is a 24mm handmade watch strap with a pre-v 24mm buckle. The leather for the strap is top quality full grain cowhide vegetable tanned leather. It's from the shoulder of the animal with many scars which add character to the strap. It's from a UK tannery. I'm physically aging this leather without dying it using natural oils, waxes and the sun! I'm also using various burnishing methods to darken the color. The end color is close to light brown and it will slightly change when you bend it giving a beautiful result. This strap is butter soft.

Details about the leather strap:
- physically tanned (not dyed) with unfinished edges
- 24 mm brushed stainless steel buckle
- 2 stainless steel tubes
- Double stitched with two 25/3 linen thread in natural color (drub).
- 2 floating keepers.
- 24 mm wide, ~4 mm thick (fits 44mm Panerai, Moscow Classic and similar watches)
- 135 mm x 80 mm
- 5 holes, distance of first hole to lug: 4.5 mm.


This is the actual item that you will receive.

Available now at my online shop on Etsy:
Vintage sun tanned ammo style handmade leather watch strap 24 mm

Coming up: Vintage sun tanned leather watch strap

I'm working on a new leather watch strap using a piece of veg tanned leather shoulder as a base. The basic characteristic of this leather is that it's full of scars and marks which will add a lot of character to the end result. I really love it!

I have already treated it with neatsfoot oil and some conditioners based on wax. I will leave it in natural color and not dye it at all, since it already got a cool light brown color. I think I will do minimal stitching on this. Here are some sneak peaks!