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Simona Saddle Strap
tobacco english saddle
I recently bought this beautiful handcrafted Simona saddle strap, well, 'beautiful' is really an understatement - there is a certain timeless charm in the design and craftsmanship.
The strap cost $160euro (~sg$260) at the time of this review (March 2013), inclusive shipment to Singapore.
timeless classic look
The leather is medium tone tobacco, and has a very refined character to it.
Upon closer inspection, you can see the leather grain running parallel along the length of the strap.
fine leather grain
The strap is actually made of english saddle leather, which is supple yet soft. The most notable feature of this strap is it is "stitch-less". The stitching is minimal - at the lug sides, the clasp and on the sides of the fixed keeper.
The other unique feature of this strap is it has a beveled edge that gives its distinctive character. Apart from giving the strap its classic and timeless look, it demonstrates the efforts and craftsmanship employed by the strap maker. I must say, Simona di Stefano is without doubt one of the finest strap makers around.
minimal stitch and beveled edge
The package includes the strap, a solid heavy german-made SS brushed buckle with Simona signature and a leather strap pouch which can double up as a watch pouch.
heavy screw-in buckle with simona signature
The thickness of the saddle strap is 4.5mm
Some straps of this thickness are uncomfortable on the wrist, but not this one. This is probably because of the quality of the leather used, the thick strap feels really soft and comfortable.
thick rugged look
Just some side note - if you are used to the thinner 3.5mm straps (eg the OEM gator strap that comes with the 312), which is usually 115/75mm, a 4.5mm strap means you need a slightly longer strap on both buckle and tail end (+10mm each end), for the same appearance on the wrist. Eg a 3.5mm thick 115/75mm wears like a 4.5mm 125/85mm strap.
Btw, I have a 6.75" wrist
The tobacco tone complements the matt black dial really well.
If you like the old-school vintage feel with a 1950 case, the Simona saddle strap definitely is a good choice.
Notice also the beige stitch matches the off-white dial index.
Enough said, the Simona saddle strap is a very well-made, refined and classic strap.
If you have not tried a Simona strap before, this is a good one to begin with.
tobacco english saddle
I recently bought this beautiful handcrafted Simona saddle strap, well, 'beautiful' is really an understatement - there is a certain timeless charm in the design and craftsmanship.
The strap cost $160euro (~sg$260) at the time of this review (March 2013), inclusive shipment to Singapore.
timeless classic look
The leather is medium tone tobacco, and has a very refined character to it.
Upon closer inspection, you can see the leather grain running parallel along the length of the strap.
fine leather grain
The strap is actually made of english saddle leather, which is supple yet soft. The most notable feature of this strap is it is "stitch-less". The stitching is minimal - at the lug sides, the clasp and on the sides of the fixed keeper.
The other unique feature of this strap is it has a beveled edge that gives its distinctive character. Apart from giving the strap its classic and timeless look, it demonstrates the efforts and craftsmanship employed by the strap maker. I must say, Simona di Stefano is without doubt one of the finest strap makers around.
minimal stitch and beveled edge
The package includes the strap, a solid heavy german-made SS brushed buckle with Simona signature and a leather strap pouch which can double up as a watch pouch.
heavy screw-in buckle with simona signature
The thickness of the saddle strap is 4.5mm
Some straps of this thickness are uncomfortable on the wrist, but not this one. This is probably because of the quality of the leather used, the thick strap feels really soft and comfortable.
thick rugged look
Just some side note - if you are used to the thinner 3.5mm straps (eg the OEM gator strap that comes with the 312), which is usually 115/75mm, a 4.5mm strap means you need a slightly longer strap on both buckle and tail end (+10mm each end), for the same appearance on the wrist. Eg a 3.5mm thick 115/75mm wears like a 4.5mm 125/85mm strap.
Btw, I have a 6.75" wrist
The tobacco tone complements the matt black dial really well.
If you like the old-school vintage feel with a 1950 case, the Simona saddle strap definitely is a good choice.
Notice also the beige stitch matches the off-white dial index.
Enough said, the Simona saddle strap is a very well-made, refined and classic strap.
If you have not tried a Simona strap before, this is a good one to begin with.
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