Aftermarket Panerai Review
Nubostraps Watch Straps Review #2
Nubostraps Panerai Straps
Origin: Canada
Construction: Hand-Stitched
Materials: Ammo Leathers & New Leathers
Buckles & Tubes: Buckles Optional
Price Range: $100-150
Website: Click Here
Date of Review: July 25th, 2010
I've probably owned about 4-5 Nubo Straps in the past, and this is the third one I've reviewed here. This one is pretty different from the rest, and while Norman usually sticks to Ammo style straps, his flexibilty on customizing straps to suit his customers lead me to ask him if he would butcher an old Gucci bag and make matching straps for my wife and I... he was more than happy to do this! What a guy!
The main portion of the strap is made with the vinyl material from a very old Gucci handbag, and the keepers are made from the navy blue leather strap from that same handbag at my request. In retrospect, I think it would have looked better with the matching Gucci Print Vinyl for the keeper, but this was my idea, not Norman's.
As you can see, the strap is backed with soft brown leather since the vinyl isn't too comfortable on the wrist. The strap is punched with oblong holes and fits me perfectly on the middle hole. Stiching as always is saddle-stitched by hand.
I fitted this Nubo Gucci Strap with a Kain Heritage buckle that I had kicking around, just to try something different than the usual generic buckles. I think it might be too big, however. This strap would probably suit a brushed standard bent buckle more than anything else.
Overall, the construction of strap is very good, as always is with Nubo Straps. Norman does a great job of combining a professional finish an old-world feel his straps, and this one is no exception. He lined up the edges of both GG logos to the stitching and are centered well. These kind of details make the strap all the more satisfying and much better looking.
There's the money shot. The light blue interlocking Gucci logos might look a bit more on the feminine side with this one, but I think they look pretty good. I've seen other straps made with LV and Gucci vinyl before and I think they often look better than this one I had made because the material wasn't as faded. This one was in pretty rough shape when I sent it to Norman. I still totally dig this strap though, and will probably enjoy it quite well.