It wasn’t ages ago that the world of bespoke straps felt rather foreign to me. Frankly speaking, as an enthusiast, I never felt the need to go down this route until I actually experienced it. Precisely, it was only 10 months ago that I got my first bespoke strap and a lot has changed ever since. The mission at that point in time, was to find a strap which could accommodate the thinness and short lug extension of my Seiko Dolce. Considering its thickness being slightly under 50mm and the fact that the lugs only extend 30mm from the case, I decided to go bespoke. Thanks to Instagram, I stumbled upon Syafiq from MsBespoke and had a great overall experience dealing with the brand. Just check out how pretty the strap looks on my Seiko Dolce. Ever since then, you bet I came back. (Side note, you might wanna stick till the end for some goodies)
The warmth that I felt through dealing with Syafiq has lead me to create this write-up to share my thoughts on why enthusiasts should give bespoke straps a shot. In a way, it’s really all about the experience. Just like how a romantic element is attached to watch collecting, building a bespoke strap definitely has a charm of its own. Because hey, if you’re here, chances are that a watch does more for you than tell the time. Right?
However, as we all value experiences subjectively, some of us might be more interested in the tangible aspect of things. So let’s go! To start off, something noticeable would be the short break-in period needed for a new strap to wear comfortably. I’m pretty sure we all had those times where we’re put off by the stiffness of a strap after wearing it for awhile. Of course, the break-in period isn’t eliminated with bespoke straps, but I’d say that it is reduced for sure as it wears comfortably out of the box. After getting a couple of straps from MSBespoke, the rigidity that causes any form of discomfort is definitely absent.
Next up, here’s what seals the deal for me, having the ability to customize. I know, that’s literally what the word “bespoke” indicates, but hear me out. With there being countless customization options, I figured that it would be more beneficial to mention a few key customization aspects that at least for me, keeps me coming back. Firstly, it’s the ability to determine the level of tapering according to your preference. Next, having the luxury to choose your strap length. Yes, you will now have control over where the tip of your strap sits. A detail that seems to be very minute but makes a huge difference to how a watch looks on your wrist. Thirdly, being able to go padded or non-padded to suit your taste and case profile. This ensures that your strap thickness looks proportionate to the watch that it’s on. Lastly, this one’s for the enthusiasts who are very particular about colors on a strap, having the choice to match the color of your stitching to your leather. Yes, you can do that too! And trust me, if you hate contrasting stitching, this is a game changer.
If you’ve spent the time needed to get through the above, you might want to know what MSBespoke has to offer. Simply said, besides what I just mentioned, a lot more. From crafting straps to fit your integrated bracelet watches to building Cartier specific straps, Syafiq does it all. So rather than going through what they have in store, let’s talk about a few personal favorites:
The Epsom – In my opinion, the best strap to dress down without having to sacrifice elegance. Honestly a great strap for both vintage and modern watches as the texture brings out a lovely level of depth. Available in 13 colors and retails for 320 MYR.
The Dollaro – The perfect “in-between” strap that bridges the gap between something more casual like an Epsom and dressier options like the Ostrich leg or Alligator straps. Available in 4 colors and retails for 320 MYR.
The Ostrich leg – A great option if you’re chasing exotic vibes without having to pay the price of an Alligator strap. Besides, its texture might just look cooler than the Alligator. Available in 6 colors and retails for 455 MYR.
The Alligator – Well, if you are looking for something that screams elegance and class, here it is. Available in 12 colors and retails for 650 MYR.
To round it up, if you are in search of an experience where you get to be involved in the process of building a strap tailored to your taste buds, this is a good point to start as MSBespoke is currently open for orders! More good news, visit their site here to automatically receive a 5% discount upon checkout (Applies to all products except specific straps made for Cartiers)! Or simply visit MSBespoke’s website here and enter my discount code “feedthewrist” at checkout to get 5% off! Enjoy!
feedthewrist. 