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AndrewD's comprehensive review of Atelier du Bracelet Parisien (A.B.P.) offers an in-depth look at the world of bespoke watch straps. His detailed account of material choices, customization options, and personal experiences provides invaluable insights for collectors seeking to personalize their timepieces. This article remains highly relevant for understanding the craftsmanship and considerations involved in selecting high-quality, custom watch straps.
Atelier du Bracelet Parisien, or A.B.P., has been producing made-to-measure watch straps for more than 15 years from nearly every material you can imagine.
Common alligator, calf, ostrich and stingray leathers abound, but how about frog, salmon, anaconda, beaver, caiman, camel, llama, cobra, deer, eel, emu, turkey, python, chicken, goat, kangaroo, sturgeon, sea snake, peccary, vintage baseball gloves, toad or even elephant? All legally acquired, although some are now more difficult to source.
But it doesn’t stop at interesting leathers. You can choose different cuts of the animal skin, different shapes of the strap tips, a multitude of colours (including different edging tones), stitching (hand or machine and different patterns), thread thickness, lining, different tanning techniques, waxing, and edging. You can nominate the number of keepers and holes or have just a single punched hole, fitted to your wrist; the ultimate bespoke watch band. And you can choose the type of buckles and straight, curved or quick-release pins.
When you order your straps (you can do this online) you can define the width and length of the various components. So if you are, like me, pedantic about where the buckle sits on your wrist or the thickness of the keepers then all this can be defined down to the millimetre. There are guides on the A.B.P. website on how to measure up your wrist. And if you need advice, the helpful staff are just a phone call away – even across the other side of the world.
I have ordered several batches of straps from A.B.P. over the last five years and can vouch for their professionalism and service. Their hand stitched and made to order straps are the best quality option and the alligator leathers have been better than the simple calf in my experience. The lizard straps have been very long wearing and nicely finished. Their vintage and waxed leathers are quite beautiful for classic dress watches. There are other options for strap makers in Paris, but A.B.P. hold a special place, particularly when it comes to exotic leathers.
My thanks to Gregory, Yann and the staff who showed me around on the day I picked up straps for my wife’s Dornbluth and my Constellation.
Andrew
Thanks for a great picture excursion I view their website with awe. But I get overwhelmed with all th choices. My weakness is I do not have a great eye to create from scratch, but I know what I like when it is on the watch. I guess I will have to try a few things to get the hang of it. How difficult is it to ship overseas, versus the local pickup you mentioned? Best, Joe
I have heard of the name before and will surely look more into their service. Thank you for confirming that they are willing to work on those small details that make all the difference. Ruckdee
And expensive, me think, for having used them on two occasions. This compensate a little for the exposure that this article gives them... I can think of many other, smaller independent strap artisans wordy of a review. Pas per forum rules it is naturally forbidden to give their names here as this would equate to free advertising. "On ne prête qu'aux riches"
I haven't used this shop at all. but How would you describe your experiences (i.e., in the wearability, comfort, etc. of the strap) between this shop's, the standard Patek or VC factory straps, and other smaller brands you allude to? Just out of curiosity! Thanks! S
Andrew, Thanks for your in-depth review and photos of the ABP shop. I'm currently looking for a unique interesting strap for my vintage (1960) steel Constellation 551 with a silver dial and white gold furniture featuring Arrowhead markers. Would you be so kind as to post pictures of your Constellation with the new strap. Thanks,
.. but I stopped due to two incidents: 1. I ordered one with usual specs - the result product was totally difference shape: their explanation "each craftsman has his/her own way". I was talking about the strange "angle" where it should be only linear curve. 2. I asked for a unique color strap and they asked for sample. I bought a used one whose color I was aiming for a watch I owned and shipped to them. They said they would look for it - they stopped responding me and never returned the sample s
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