Watch strap making isn’t just limited to major brands and big shops; across the world there are small strapmakers making a living designing unique and custom straps. Our small brand spotlight series interviews these strapmakers to see what makes them tick.

Today the spotlight is on John Glance and his shop, Dangerous9straps.

Name: Dangerous9straps
Website: www.Dangerous9straps.blogspot.com
Location: Munich, Germany
What: I specialize in making custom watchstraps for my clients around the world.

Rolex Submariner on 1967 Swiss Ammo watch strap with Padding at the lugs and our Thick Curved Lug System TCLS

How did you get into watch strap making?

Strap making sprung out of my watch collecting. I had been a hobby leather worker in my 20’s (and selling items as a side business in the The Society for Creative Anachronism – SCA) and when I discovered watch collecting in my 40’s, it wasn’t long before I also discovered the thriving cottage industry of custom/handmade watch straps and decided I would try my hand. So I pulled the old leather working tools out of the garage and went to work.

PAM422 on 1965 Swiss Ammo Watch strap with Vintage Ecru Linen stitching

What materials do you use in your bands?

I currently offer a myriad of standard leathers and exotic leathers such as Alligator, Ostrich Leg, Teju Lizard, Sharkskin, Nile Crocodile, Stingray, etc. as well as leather salvaged from Swiss Ammunition pouches to make the much sought after Swiss Ammo straps.

Bell & Ross BR01 on 1952 Swiss Ammo watch strap with custom bullet cartridge rivets

What is your favorite material to work with?

While I love all of our materials we stock, I would have to say my personal favorites are Alligator, Ostrich Leg and Teju Lizard. Especially with the addition of an exotic leather lining such as out SuperMatte Teju Lizard or Sharkskin. What I most enjoy with my custom strap making is to collaborate with my client to design a strap that fits both the watch and my customer’s unique style and that will bring an extra surge of joy every time they wear their watch.

Omega Planet Ocean on an exclusive Grey SuperMatte Teju Lizard Watch Strap

What style band is your favorite to make or wear?

Of course, that depends entirely on the watch, but my current favorite is Teju Lizard. I just really love the small-scale patters and since we have most of our colors custom made for use, these are among the most exclusive materials we offer.

Cartier Tank Divan Diamonds on Baby Blue Pearlescent Alligator Watch strap with padding at the lugs and Silver Metallic stitching

Do you have a favorite watch?

This is a tough one. I have over twenty watches in my collection and I tend to rotate them based upon what I’m wearing and my mood. I would say that my PAM288, my Blancpain Fifty Fathoms and my Kaventsmann Bathyal are the ones I find that I’m wearing most often these days.

IWC le Petit Prince on Alligator Watch strap with Hand Antiqued finish

What do you like to do outside of watch strap making?

Spending time with my family is what I most enjoy, and traveling with them. I have the great fortune of living just outside Munich Germany, so travel by car to Italy is quite easy and we take advantage of that a couple of times per year. Also, since many of my leather suppliers are based in Northern Italy, I can often combine business with pleasure. I have also recently taken a keen interest in men’s style in general, so have been turning my sartorial interest into more of a hobby of late.

Check out more of John’s work on his website at www.Dangerous9straps.blogspot.com

Classic Breguet 5207 on Black Row Stone Stingray Watch Strap

IWC Portuguese Yacht Club Chronograph on SuperMatte Teju Lizard Watch Strap with Double Row Stitching and Red Sharkskin Lining

Grand Seiko Snowflake SBGA011 on SuperMatte Blue Teju Lizard Watch Strap

Tourbe Brune Alligator Watch strap for Vintage Patek Philippe

Looking for a new watch to go with your custom made strap? Support our blog by shopping through our affiliate partner, Jomashop.

Also check out our other guides:

• Safe Places to Buy a Watch Online
• Tools for Replacing A Watch Strap or Band
• How to Pick Out The Right Watch Band For Your Watch
• 5 Tips For Picking Out A New Watch Band Or Strap
• The Complete Guide to the Orient Bambino Dress Watch
• How to Fix A Broken Loop On Your Watch Strap

We are an Amazon & Jomashop Affiliate.

Name Orient Bambino
Price Range: $100-$325 (depending on version and color combination)
Style: Dress watch
Type: Automatic
Watch Size: 40.5mm (42mm for V4).
Lug width (size of strap where it meets the watch): 21mm (22mm for V4)
Website: https://www.orientwatchusa.com/collections/bambino
Best Place to Buy: Amazon or Jomashop (search for Orient Bambino in the search bar). U.K. or Canada links.

Pros:

• Great price, frequently on sale from watch sellers even when full priced on the Orient website.
• Fantastic color and style combinations; you will get compliments on this watch.
• Keeps good time for an automatic.
• Orient is a well-regarded watch manufacturer.

Cons:

• Occasionally hard to buy online in the popular color and style combinations. Earlier generations no longer sold directly from the manufacturer’s website.
• 21-mm strap size of the Orient Bambino Versions 1-3 and Small Seconds is not that common, narrowing down your watch band options. The Version 4 has a more common 22-mm strap size.
• Very confusing naming convention, making picking out a watch at some online stores a hit or miss.

Orient Bambino Review

Simply put, the Orient Bambino is probably the best affordable dress watch out there. A fantastic option for your first watch, it takes a movement from a reliable watch company and puts it in an incredible looking package. Earlier generations can be bought for just over $100, while the most popular style from the new generation will be closer to $300 (although it frequently goes on sale).