Hard Commissions

Vintage pieces. Unusual lug widths. Inherited watches. Client-supplied leather. The work other makers decline.

Tudor Black Bay P01

Nick Gates: I recently ordered a custom strap for my Tudor Black Bay P01. If you are unfamiliar with the watch, it has a very unique set up for the band. Alex was very proactive in working with me to determine the best design to address the issues I was facing. The result was a strap that fits perfectly and looks spectacular.

Inherited Cartier Tank

Drew Middleton: When my father passed away I inherited his Cartier Tank watch. It was about 25 years old and in bad shape. I decided to send it home to Cartier and have them completely restore it. It came back looking like new. Unfortunately they do not offer a custom leather strap for this model. I found Alex and have worked with him to create three different bands. He understands the significance of my inherited watch and genuinely seems interested in helping me maintain its classic look. The bands speak for themselves.

Client-Supplied Leather (Motorcycle Seat)

Jeff Sallen: I had a custom motorcycle seat made and thought it would be cool to have the leftover leather turned into a matching watch strap. Alex worked closely with me to see my vision come to life. I received the strap yesterday and could not be happier.

Philip Stein (Non-Standard Brand)

Adrian Paolo Lisondra IV: He was very nice to take on my custom strap order. It's my wife's Philip Stein watch, it is not the regular watch brand he works on (he normally works with Omegas, IWC, Rolex and more). The strap was so worn out. I sent him pictures of what I wanted and Alex delivered exactly that.

Small Wrist, 17mm Lugs

John Border: My wife has a watch with a pink dial and 17 mm lugs. Her wrist size is only 14 cm (5.5 inches) and so finding a strap that matches the combination of wrist size, lug size, and color was challenging. After a long search, I found Velle Alexander. Alex delivered exactly what we needed.

Longines Zulu Time — Bespoke Rally

Carl James Grindley: Absolutely beautiful bespoke rally strap, perfectly suited to my Longines Zulu Time. Astonishing quality from the comfortable, soft leather to the secret blue inner. Everything is quality from the build to the buckle's perlage. And quick — from order to delivery one smooth process. Highest possible recommendation.

Restored Grandfather's Watch

Allan Smith: Great communication and excellent craftsmanship. If you want a high quality watch band and a terrific buying experience talk with Alex. He's very consultative and easy to work with. Thanks for making my grandfather's simple watch look amazing.

Vintage Collection — Multi-Strap Series

David Serlin: I have been working with Alex for the past couple of years on a series of replacement straps for my vintage watch collection. Every single time, he impresses me with the quality of his work but also the insight that comes with understanding how vintage watches need to be treated.

Zenith El Primero A385 Revival — Alligator Bund

Kevin K: Alex made me a beautiful alligator bund strap in brown for my Zenith El Primero A385 Revival, a remake from 1969 of one of the three original models using the El Primero chronometer movement. If Paul Newman had worn a Zenith it would be this watch on a bund strap from Alex.

Fallout-Inspired Custom

[Existing homepage gallery feature] — A commission in black Eames lounge chair leather with lime green goatskin lining, for a client's Fallout-themed watch.

Work That Beats the OEM

Straps commissioned to replace — and outperform — the factory piece from the watch's own manufacturer.

A. Lange & Söhne

Michael Linert: Watch straps are not created equal. Alex has educated me on the unseen details that make the craftsmanship of a Velle Alexander strap superior to lookalike products. Constructed of materials to retain shape and not overstretch with time.

A. Lange & Söhne

Mike Schumer: Alex is a true craftsman. I never purchased bespoke straps before so I had many questions. Alex honed in on the look I wanted for three watches with ease. The results exceeded my expectations. The materials are the best of any OEM strap. One of them was for my A. Lange & Söhne and it's so much nicer than the OEM alligator. I highly recommend him. It's worth the price.

A. Lange & Söhne Datograph — Bund Strap

Sante Zampini: I ordered a Bund Strap from Alex to customize a Lange Datograph. From service order process to the creation of the strap my experience was the best so far compared to other straps purchased in the past.

Glashütte Original — Deployment Clasp Replacement

Thomas Miett: Alex's craftsmanship is outstanding in its beauty and precision. He made me a replacement strap that fits my Glashütte and its deployment clasp. It is superior to the original. He was also extremely helpful in making suggestions.

IWC — Bespoke Strap

Simon Tucker: Alex is truly an exceptional artisan. The strap I received for my IWC was truly beautifully hand crafted and exactly what I wanted and what Alex delivered. Look no further if you want a great, truly well made watch strap.

IWC Mark XVIII

Daniel Berner: Alex crafted me a beautiful strap to complement my IWC Mark XVIII. Perfect sizing, excellent guidance by phone how to complement dial with leather choice, thread, and side paint. Delivery inside of 4 weeks for a custom design. Highly recommend working with him.

Compared to Hermès

Dr. Daniel Sokal: A great craftsman, on par with Hermès quality. Great work, quick turnaround.

30 Years of Leather Straps — Compared to Camille Fournet

Bruce Ballai: Velle Alexander straps are the finest leather watch straps I have ever encountered in 30 years of experiencing watches on leather straps. Alex takes up where Camille Fournet leaves off. The aesthetics, fit and feel are second to none. The care and attention to detail are amazing. After trying on the two I had ordered, I immediately decided to order two more.

The Collaborative Process

Emails, calls, revisions. Honest pushback when a choice won't work. The kind of working relationship most clients say is why they came back.

Multiple Options, Patient Guidance

Phillip Hermes: Alex was a pleasure to deal with. He sent me pictures of different types of leather next to each other so that I could narrow down my preferences. He was patient with my multiple changes, and the strap arrived in Australia from the US really quickly. The strap quality is excellent — and it even smells amazing.

Decision-Making Support

wincav: Highly recommend Alex if you want a high quality watch strap. He helped me with the decision making process. He offered ideas that I appreciated and made the process very smooth.

Tight Timeline, Wedding

Joe FitzPatrick: I cannot speak more highly of my Velle Alexander experience. Alex immediately reached out directly to me after I placed my order to review my strap customization choices. Because I needed the strap for my wedding, I had a tight timeline and Alex made it happen.

Willing to Push Back

B G: Alex was terrific to deal with. He responded promptly to the initial inquiry and was generous with his time in explaining the process and talking through options. He was willing to offer suggestions when asked, and didn't just reflect back what I said.

First-Time Bespoke Buyer

Brent Hall: I didn't really understand the whole process. Alex was extremely patient and answered all of my questions. Great to work with.

Many Questions, Thoughtful Answers

Alex Yunerman: Very happy with the custom strap Alex made for me. I had a ton of questions before ordering and Alex was extremely responsive, gave me good tips and most importantly delivered a quality product. The price point is high, but when pairing with a high end watch, it makes sense.

Depth of Knowledge

Kevin Frazier: Outstanding leatherwork. I appreciated very much Alex's personal suggestions and depth of knowledge. It is so easy (and informative) to work with him. I am very pleased with the fit, workmanship and communication through the process.

Honed In On the Look

Adam W.: It's fantastic when you find a true artisan that can marry his craft with your passion for watches. Look no further for a bespoke strap than Velle Alexander. Alex is one of the easiest guys to work with and the quality of his straps is second to none.

Design Collaboration

Patrick Rafferty: Alexander's work is impeccable. I am extremely happy with my watch band. Working with Alex was easy — he answered my many questions and helped me create a beautiful watch band. I highly recommend him.

Easy, Fun Process

Nat Zignego: The service was amazing. It was very easy to create and figure out a custom strap for my watch with Alex. The whole process from start to finish was fun and well worth the wait.

Consultative, Easy to Work With

Michael Atkinson: I had a great experience working with Alex. Communication was excellent. And the strap is well built and beautiful.

Voutilainen Sport

Bill Rosinger: Very happy with the strap that Alex made for my Voutilainen Sport. It was easy to customize all aspects of the design and material on the website. Superb workmanship and turn around time was shorter than expected.

Repeat Clients

The clearest signal in any craft business: people who come back.

10+ Straps Over Five Years

Daniel Brown: I've had about 10 straps, a belt, and a couple of wallets made by Alex. I'm very happy with the products and service. I've tried some other strap makers in the past but none compare in terms of ease to deal with and quality of work.

Three Straps, Planning More

Adam W.: I've bought three straps from Alex and to be sure, I'll be having him design many more.

Four or Five Straps, Various Makers Tested

Bob Weaver: Alex was great to work with, both helpful and very knowledgeable. I ordered a custom padded shell cordovan almost a year ago and the quality of craftsmanship is spectacular. I've bought four or five bespoke leather straps from various makers and Alex's stands out.

Ongoing Project Series

Tony Ko: As always, wonderful work. Never doubt the process with the artistry and craftsmanship. I love working with Alex.

Multi-Year Collaboration

Rick Remiker: I've had Alex craft 2 custom straps for me. I could not be more impressed with the quality, craftsmanship and communication. He is my go-to strap supplier from here on out.

Return for the Next Project

Roger Gench: Really beautiful watch band. Alex is a true artisan and easy to work with. Great experience.

Two Straps, More to Come

Allison Byrd: Alex is an expert craftsman. He uses high-quality materials and has an attention to detail and an aesthetic sense that is unparalleled in the strap-making world. Both straps he has made for me are well-made, comfortable, and stunningly beautiful.

Son's Gift — Commemorative

Mike Vasovski: My second purchase from this gifted artisan. The one in the photo is a replacement for a watch received as a gift from my son. This strap makes it that much more special.

Ongoing Collaboration

William Schlipf: Alex has a real passion for his craft, and it shows. I've worked with him on custom projects, and off the shelf orders, each have met the highest standards of excellence and are vast improvements to my watch collection.

Multiple Projects

Brian Lin: Alex has created two high-quality straps for me. His attention to detail and craftsmanship is next-level. From initial contact, Alex is always super helpful with recommendations and finding the right material for the project.

Will Be Back

Edward Wang: My first purchase from Velle Alexander and won't be my last. From initial quote to finalization and communication, every aspect of the bespoke process was easy, efficient, and outstanding.

Will Continue to Return

Gianni Giugno: Velle has made me 2 flawless straps for my Omega Speedmaster. Excellent craftsmanship and great to work with. Will continue to come back for more custom bands.

Lifelong Client

Zach Blume: Extremely satisfied with my purchase. Extraordinary quality, great communication, quick delivery. Will be back.

Enzo

A true master of precision. Alex has yet to disappoint. Every strap that I've commissioned from him has been top notch.

Walt Roseberry

This is my first purchase from Velle Alexander and it won't be my last. This purchase arrived earlier than promised, better quality materials than I expected and extraordinarily well crafted.

Buzz Bies

I ordered a green ostrich band from Velle Alexander. It is the finest band I own. It is exceedingly comfortable and beautiful. I will be happy to order new bands in the future.

Jason Chong

If you are reading this, then you are likely in the market for a custom watch strap. If you are here looking at this review specifically for Velle Alexander, then you are likely interested in a well-made, truly custom watch strap.

Tom Kimberly

Alex was helpful making sure I had the right specs, and the strap is spot on perfect. I couldn't be happier and I'll definitely come back in the future.

Watches on Leather

Straps for specific watches — Omega, Rolex, IWC, and beyond.

Omega Speedmaster — Multiple Commissions

Gianni Giugno: Velle has made me 2 flawless straps for my Omega Speedmaster. Excellent craftsmanship and great to work with. Will continue to come back for more custom bands.

Vintage Rolex Submariner

Ricardo F. Casellas: I wanted a special bespoke strap for my vintage Sub. Handcrafted American-made leather strap made to order. Many choices on the website. Soft and supple leather lining. Final product came as depicted and ordered. Alex was responsive and helpful.

Tudor Black Bay P01 (Unique Band Configuration)

Nick Gates: Alex was very proactive in working with me to determine the best design to address the issues I was facing with the unique band configuration of the Tudor Black Bay P01. The result was a strap that fits perfectly and looks spectacular.

Pink Dial, 17mm Lugs, 14cm Wrist

John Border: After a long search, I found Velle Alexander. The combination of wrist size, lug size, and color was challenging, and Alex delivered exactly what we needed.

English Black Leather with Crimson Accents

Frank Zerangue: Velle Alexander created a beautiful strap for me with a provided buckle that was outside of his script. English black leather with crimson accents. I am well pleased with the result as it perfectly compliments my watch. Alexander is a true craftsman.

Buckle Replacement

Erik Coll: Beautiful buckle elevates my watch band exactly the way I wanted. So many cheap knock offs on the internet, this is definitely not one of those. Very high quality piece of jewelry in my opinion.

Bruce Carlson

Ordered my strap and received it in just over a week. Superb craftsmanship.

Matthew Regan

Love it.

Andrew Patton

Alex was awesome to work with and incredibly responsive. You can tell he loves what he does and it shows in his work. Fantastic quality. Highly recommend.

Jason Rushin

Amazing service and attention to detail, super responsive, and went out of his way to be sure I got what I wanted. Good price for a high-end strap.

Roland Sun

The strap I purchased from Velle Alexander is beautiful, and well crafted in every detail. The material is soft and supple, and the color shown on the website is accurate. Alex was responsive and helpful during the ordering process.

Lynn Smull

Excellent, true bespoke service. Alex's straps are supreme quality.

Jim Cassidy

Completely happy with my purchase. The customizer on the website worked great, and the strap was delivered on time as promised. It fits perfect, even with the somewhat odd dimensions I needed.

Thomas Ellison

Amazing watch strap, worth every penny. The workmanship is truly above and beyond. I have no problem recommending this artisan.

Scott Fergus

Alex was a pleasure to work with. Great service, high quality watch straps, attention to detail, and delivered on time.

Claire H Kayser

Beautiful strap, wonderful craftsmanship. Company was easy to deal with and the strap arrived prior to promised date.

Brandon Wipf

My new custom strap is exactly what I was looking for, and 100% recommend his work to anyone at any price point.

Acree

Absolutely amazing quality. I am beyond happy with my straps.

K N

Amazing detail and accurate stitching.

Steven Kirk

His passion for what he does shows in the quality of his work.

Patrick Hurley

Outstanding quality and workmanship.

Tom

Alex's work is outstanding. He's professional, accommodating and trustworthy. Highly recommended.

Andrew Dicker

Very quick! Super high quality! Exactly what I was hoping for.

Adam Bridges

Fantastic quality, excellent service. The best.