Custom Leather Watchbands
Introduction: Custom Leather Watchbands
I replaced the watch bands for two of my watches with custom leather bands. It's hard to find watch bands that fit my wrists, so I decided to make new ones in the length I needed. When I was 9 years old, my father taught me how to make the one-piece strap band seen on the rectangular watch and I used some of those techniques to make the two-piece band of the round watch. Both designs use the hardware from the previous watch bands.
Supplies
Leather (2mm and 4mm thick)
Hardware from original watch bands
Leather Rivets
Leather Sheers
Utility Knife
Pencil
Leather Punches: Oval (15mm) and Round (2mm, 4mm)
Mallet
Razor Blade
Rivet Tools
Ruler
3/4 in Binder Clips
Cutting Pad
Craft Glue
Step 1: One-Piece Band
The one-piece band is actually two pieces in this example, but you don't have to make the wide leather piece.
Start by removing the band from the old watch by weaving the thinner leather strap out of the thicker piece.
Step 2: Trace the Pattern and Cut Out Pieces
Trace the original band pieces on the underside of the leather, adding 3cm to the length of the strap for the buckle. For this piece I used the same thickness leather and shaved it down to 2mm with a razor blade, it would save time to purchase a swatch of leather 2mm in thickness. You will need the extra length for the fold over that holds the buckle in place (about 34cm long, 15mm wide). In my example, I made the length another 6cm longer to accommodate my larger wrist and to make a comfortable fit. The wide piece I left the same size because it fit well (just under 19.5cm). Then make marks for the oval cutouts; mine were centered at 4.5cm and 8cm from one end and 2.5cm and 7.5cm from the other end.
Cut out all the straps carefully using a utility knife. Don't cut the ovals out yet.
In addition, cut a 1cm x 34cm strap out of the 2mm leather. This will be used for the holds for the strap ends.
Step 3: Add Buckle
Cut the buckle out of the old band, then line it up in with the end of the 2mm strap. Fold it over the bar of the buckle so it is about 1.75-2cm, enough that it will hold the buckle and accommodate a small rivet. Mark the center of the fold with a dot (this is where the tongue will go through). Now punch a hole with your 4mm punch centered on the mark you just made. Next, fold it back over making sure the center of your hole is on the edge of the end of the strap. 421
Hold the fold in place and mark where the rivet will go. Once the placement of the rivet is marked, check it with a rivet making sure there is 1-2mm of leather after the rivet. Using your 4mm punch, make a hole through both completely. Unfold, set the buckle in, noting the curve of the tongue is orientated with the finish side of the leather. Apply craft glue to the inside of the fold and line up the rivet holes. Set the rivet by placing the rivet and cap through the hole and hammer it in using the rivet tools. Now make the strap end holder by cutting a 7cm piece off of the narrow 2mm piece of leather. Fold the piece around the band just under the buckle so it overlaps the width of the band. Make sure it is snug but loose enough to slide the strap in, cutting down if necessary. Mark the center of the of the overlapping area. Make a hole with the 4mm punch through the two overlapped ends to set another rivet. Glue the overlapping pieces together so the holes line up then set the rivet. This can be tricky because you have to fold over the looped band to line up the rivet tool. I suggest lining up the holes and let the glue set first, before setting the rivet.
*If making a simple one-piece band, continue to the step 6 for punching the buckle holes and you will be done.
Step 4: Adding the Wide Leather Strap
Now you can get the wide strap and double check all of the marks. Using the oval punch centered on each mark, punch out each hole.
Step 5: Assembling the Two Straps
Weave the narrow band through, starting at the end with the hole closest to the edge. Go from the top under and then back up through the watch (making sure the buckle is at 12 o'clock) and going back under the wide band. 421