Like most self-proclaimed watch people, I love a good strap. In fact, I even keep a spring bar tool in my car for on-the-go changes. Also like most of us, I find myself paralyzed by the myriad of straps on the market. Therefore, I've devised a solution.
Rather than purchasing and returning multiple straps, I've turned to technology. I began using Photoshop to visualize my options. I mean, what other option was there? (Yes, I know, some websites offer this as a feature. However, some websites don't have the exact watch I'm looking for.)
Today, we'll turn to the Halios Universa as our test subject. Jason Lim absolutely knocked this one out of the park. It's a slim hand-winder (Mecha-Nical) that straddles the line between sport and dress. By swapping the bracelet for a strap, we can really lean into its more elegant side.
Let the Photoshop Begin
We'll begin our search using this template.
Hodinkee Unlined Natural Shell Cordovan - $155
This seems like a natural starting point - Hodinkee does make a great-looking strap.
I think this may be my aesthetic winner. The rich, reddish-brown certainly does a lot for me. I also find that the straight stitching pairs nicely with the Uni's sharp, angled lugs. If it weren't for the price, this might be the one.
Veblenist Unlined Bourbon Shell Cordovan - $80
Now, we'll move a good bit down market. Veblenist offers a whole lot of strap for much less money.
The style of this strap is certainly similar to the previous strap. It is neatly stitched and finished with a slim tang buckle. The color isn't quite as appealing, though. It's missing some of the appealing warmth of the Hodinkee strap. All said, it's hard to say no at half the price of the previous strap.
Veblenist Siena Strap - $85
Sticking with Veblenist, we now have their Siena strap.
This calfskin strap has a lovely reddish-brown hue and some slight texture (compared to the smooth shell cordovan). It's priced just above Veblenist's unlined shell strap. This is likely due to it having a French calfskin lining. This one is a top contender, but the shell might be a more attractive material.
Veblenist Saddle Brown Calfskin - $95
Here again is a familiar contender.
This strap is most unlike the others. Hewn from brown calfskin, this strap differs in its stitching. We now have full stitching rather than the other straight or side stitching. This adds an elegance not found in the other three. I find this style ever so slightly more dress-oriented - not quite the look I'm going for. It's also priced just slightly higher than the rest.
And the result is...
I ended up going with the Veblenist Unlined Shell Cordovan Strap in Bourbon. Though not my overall favorite of the bunch, it packs a huge punch in terms of value. The color is a bit browner than I would prefer, without the warm red tones of the Hodinkee strap. The quality is nonetheless unimpeachable. I did notice, however, that there is a slight texture to the strap, almost small pieces of leather sticking up. This is neither bad nor good, but I would prefer the strap without it. Overall, I find the Veblenist Unlined Shell Cordovan to be a great strap for a great price.
Like any good watch nerd, I spend many hours dreaming about watches and strap pairings. Now, I don't have to dream. I've used this method to demo straps for most of my watches. I hope it can serve y'all well in your watch journeys
