Two Day Course - Learn How to Make Watch Straps
By Charlie Trevor
How to make watch straps has been at the core of my personal journey in leatherwork for the last 15 years. Over the years I have made straps for watches from many of the most prestigious brands in the world, and have worked directly with both British and Swiss watch brands.
Coming from a saddlery background the learning curve to get to that point was both long and steep, I’ve had to develop and then constantly refine the skills and techniques to make watch straps good enough to be paired with the watches that they have been. In this course I will show you exactly how I make watch straps, the pattern I use, what materials to use, where to get them, and of course how to make fine, elegant, well fitting watch straps fit to grace any watch.
Course Structure
The two day Watch Strap course is a group course with a maximum of three like minded participants taught in my workshop, giving plenty of individual attention that will emphasis the “why” and the process, not a race to an outcome that cant be repeated. The days are 9-5 with approx half an hour for lunch. The course will cover
- The right leather for watch straps, outer, lining and inner
- Thickness and temper, sourcing and thinning leather
- Pattern and cutting techniques
- Tools - what you need to make a great strap
- Sizing - how to make a watch strap the right size for your self or a customer, surprisingly hard!
- Glueing and assembling the strap
- Prick marking
- Saddle stitch
- Edge finishing with the filiteuse and edge paint
- Buckles, finding, choosing and fitting
- Hole measurement, marking out and punching
- Keepers
- Pattern and order of work
- Suppliers
Non exotic Leather and a buckle is included, and the aim is you will come away from the course with a completed watch strap. You are not expected to bring tools but you are very welcome to do so should you wish and we can compare and contrast with the tools in the workshop and the different results you might get from different tool styles etc. We can also discuss any tool questions you have. Likewise you are welcome to bring leather and hardware of your own if you want. Watch straps need specific thicknesses of leather to work well so it would be sensible to chat this through first if you plan to. Assuming there is time in the day general leatherwork, tool and technique discussion is also welcomed and very much part of the day.
Prerequisites
This course is suitable for the intermediate leatherworker who can saddle stitch and use hand tools. This is also a very good course for the advanced or professional leatherworker looking to fast track their skills. If ypu have any questions about the level or content please do just Get in touch Im happy to chat through anything
Location
The course is at my workshop at;
Westholme Farm
Winston,
Darlington,
County Durham,
DL2 3QN
Please park on the side of the road in the parking spaces. If you go to the farm you have gone too far! If you are here for several days and need help with accommodation Im happy to advise.