Last year, I told you about J. Grant's General Store, and reviewed one of their natural vegetable tanned leather button stud straps, then revisited
this same strap after a year of abuse. In both reviews, I concluded it
was a fun strap at a bargain price. When Grant Merrill, the artisan
behind these straps, informed me of some updates to the line, so I just
had to check one out.
This time, Grant provided a one
piece, pass-through strap in more traditional style. He is now sourcing
his material from Hermann Oak, a St. Louis, Missouri company that has
been producing vegetable tanned leather since 1881. He has also added a
range of colors including blue, turquoise, olive, sea green, and the
beautiful palm green on the sample.
I noticed the difference right away.
The new leather is slightly thicker. Not by a huge margin mind you. The
old strap was about 1.25 mm and the new one is closer to 1.5 mm but
that that 0.25 is tangible. It was a bit stiff out of the package but
limbered up with use. Although the strap was thin enough to slip between
the case and spring bar on my watches, I should caution you that it is
easy to mark the surface this way. If there is any chance of scraping
the strap against the case, play it safe and remove those spring bars
first, particularly when the strap is new. Over time, the leather will
become more much more pliable and forgiving. Similarly, you should take
care to place the watch head where you want it the first time you fit
the strap as the case edges will leave marks.
The top has a slight sheen and fine
grain with a few imperfections in the hide for character. The straps are
hand dyed, so there is some variation in the color as well, but it is
deep and rich, particularly in that intense green. I had planned to pair
it with white or orange dials, but ultimately found it looked best with
black. On both the Bulova Hack Commemorative and Helson Shark Diver the
bright green popped behind the dark dials and highlighted the green
pigment in the lume.
The buckle and fixed keeper are
fixed with a minimal stitch in a contrasting waxed thread. A second,
floating keeper keeps the tail in check. My sample had a stainless
buckle with polished sides and a brushed center. Yellow and rose gold
buckles are also available. The strap is offered in widths from 12 to 22
mm, 125 mm long, and Grant will do custom sizes on request. The sales
page only shows five colors in this style, but straps can be made in any
color on the site.
I like this strap. It is
inexpensive, well made, and the color... Man, the color is
fantastic. Whichever you choose, it will cost only $34, and shipping is
free with code FREESHIP.
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