How to Make a Leather Watch Strap

Today I made a leather watch strap from a scrap pieces of 4-5 oz leather. This is a piece of Laredo Utility side I got from Tandy Leather. I used the rest of the side to make a leather Messenger bag.

Here are examples of other leather watch straps I have made.

The thickness of your leather strap should depend on the size of your watch. The bigger the watch the thicker the strap can be. For instance I have a smaller square watch close to 38mm and I used 2-3oz leather and it looks good and for my thicker bigger watch I used 7oz leather and that also looks great.

Material Needed:

A small piece of quality leather , thickness will depend on what you want. A small piece of pigskin if using thin leather.

You will also need leather dye or stain for your leather, whatever colour you want, I like a contrasting colour for the edges.

I bought my leather and a lot of my tools from the Tandy Leather store. My old wooden hammer and some of the older tools I got from my Dad many years ago.

Strap buckle, get one that matches your watch. I got mine on Aliexpress. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1238701547.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.27424c4d1Pi9qH

Tools Needed:

Utility knife, Awl, Punch set,

Single Punch. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002381783862.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.46ae14a3klEXZ4&algo_pvid=4df7a1bf-f271-4a40-8c56-c961f6f37017&algo_exp_id=4df7a1bf-f271-4a40-8c56-c961f6f37017-18&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000020440335409%22%7D

Leather needles and

8mm thread,

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32895106085.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.27424c4dBvqGVw

Leather glue or contact cement,

Optional: Half Round Punch, https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32235685625.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.46ae14a3klEXZ4&algo_pvid=4df7a1bf-f271-4a40-8c56-c961f6f37017&algo_exp_id=4df7a1bf-f271-4a40-8c56-c961f6f37017-53&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2210000000951099480%22%7D

Cut out both straps . One is 13cm and the other 12cm, you may need to adjust this length depending on your arm size.

Skive 4 cm from each end of the 12cm strap, one end for the pins and one end for the buckle. Skive 4cm of the other piece for the other pin end. Bevel each edge of your strap if you want , this is an optional step.

Rough cut some pig skin leather for the inside of each piece. If your leather is leather enough and doesn't stretch this liner is not required. The pig skin should be cut to the correct length , I cut mine so that it goes just inside the bend at each end. After the glue drives trim the pig skin to fit the main piece.

Bend over 1 end of each strap and glue it to it's self. Leave enough of a loop for the watch pin, but tight enough so it isn't too sloppy looking. Glue and then clamp.

Do Not do the buckle end of the short strap. We need to install the buckle and keepers before folding that end.

Now you can cut the long strap to length using a rounded chisel or simply use something round and your utility knife. Sometimes I just round the corners instead of the whole strap end.

Now is the time to make the keepers. I made two keepers, each 5mm wide and 25mm long. I skived a few mm out of the top of one end and the bottom of the other end so they aren't soo bulky under the strap. I glued the ends of these pieces and put a couple of stitches of thread to make sure they hold. I punched the holes for this just using an awl but you could just pound a nail through the leather if you don't have an awl. Test to make sure they are the right size by sliding them on the buckle strap and pushing the other strap through.

Next I used black dye on the edges of the straps and keepers. I used an old black dye that I was given but generally I use an oil based black from the Tandy Leather Store. I then rubbed Beeswax on the edges and buffed the edges with a piece of Ash wood. If you have a Dremel tool you can use the buffing attachment , both ways are fine.

Now we are going to punch the hole for the buckle . This hole is to allow the the prong or tongue to go through. This hole must be in the center of the strap.

The hole size will depend on the buckle you are using, for my buckle I am just using a single punch, but I made three holes together. Fold the end piece over the buckle and glue it to the main piece.

Now I used my hole punch set to punch a row of stitch holes to each piece that has been folded over and glued. You can punch the holes how ever you want, you can use your ruler and just and awl if you want.

I then stitched each piece with black contrasting thread. I use the saddle stitch but again you can use whatever stitch you want.

There is just one step left, and that is to punch a hole in the long strap for the buckle. I just put the strap on the watch I am going to wear it with and tightened it on my wrist and put a mark.

Then I used my small leather punch to punch the final hole.

Then the strap is complete and you will be able to enjoy this strap for many years.

Here is a link to my YouTube video. https://youtu.be/5qgL15FksoI

I hope you enjoy making this project.

Roger