INTRODUCING THE SUMMER 2021 NEW STRAP RELEASES
Here in this article I aim to introduce the seven new straps I've developed.
Before we begin, I want to share a general set of improvements that have been made to all straps.
First, after receiving many inquiries, an additional hole has been added to help fit smaller wrists.
Second, I developed a new buckle - a virtual 1:1 reissuing of a 1950s tang buckle - that will be included on all straps immediately.
When I came across this image I knew I had to do it!
Let's head onto the straps.
GOLD TAN - PUEBLO
This Pueblo leather comes from the Carlo Badalassi tannery, which is part of the Genuine Italian Vegetable Tanned Leather Consortium in Tuscany.
The most important feature of the Pueblo leather is its rugged rustic pattern. As the leather ages, it develops a striking contrast between the deep base color and sharp fiber pattern.
This is an incredibly fun leather to age and each scratch only adds to the pattern. It also generates a much more dramatic and darker color through time relative to other leathers. This is my go-to recommendation for those that think leather straps are too flat.
MIEL - NOVONAPPA BARENIA
The Novonappa leather hails from the Haas tannery in France. Owing to its high-end nature, you’ll find this same leather in many designer brands products.
The texture has a signature smooth grain finish that Haas is famous for. It’s also one of the best leathers in scratch recovery out there- again, think of designer leather bags.
It retains its original color well over time because of its excellent water resistance. But it’s not to say the color will stay boring all throughout its life – far from it!
BLUE GRAY - FOREVER NUBUCK
Nubuck is traditionally known as one of the toughest leathers. For this reason it’s seen most commonly used in footwear and other leather applications that require heavy long term use.
We have many other Nubuck straps in our lineup, but for this one we decided to go with a new grey blue color.
Owing to the toughness of Nubuck, this strap ages differently across its space, resulting in a unique cloudlike texture. No matter its toughness, it won’t stay flat and boring forever!
LIGHT BROWN SUEDE - ZABRI
Suede leather is like Nubuck’s alter ego. While Nubuck is made from the outer layer of a leather hide, Suede is made from the inner layer. This results in a softer finish, which makes it ideal for leather products that aim to provide a soft feel to the touch like gloves.
The characteristic finishing is associated with a higher end feeling found in luxury products. This applies to the aforementioned driving gloves, contemporary shoe designs, and leather jackets.
Although the Suede is considered less durable than the indestructible Nubuck, it still holds its own quite well, all the while imparting deeper colors over time.
OG-107 - FUJINKINBAI, HANPU CANVAS
The canvas strap is a departure from the usual leather offerings from NOSTIME.
I've named this strap the OG-107, a reference to the standard US Armed Forces uniform from 1952 to 1989. The uniform got its name from the designated US Army Olive Green color No. 107. It became an icon of the U.S. GIs in the Vietnam War, during which figures such as John Lennon made appearances in public with this uniform.
The material might be new, but the product still aligns with our philosophy; it ages beautifully, and it’s tough as hell.
The canvas comes from Kawashima Trading Co., under their Fujikinbai Hanpu line. They’ve been around since 1948 and first provided Hanpu canvas for sailing applications. Think of Hanpu as the great-grandfather of Cordura fabric.
Hanpu has the characteristic of getting softer to the touch as it ages while gaining a smoother color.
We’re also the first to create a canvas strap with a fully integrated leather backing. Durable and supple: this is surely the best of both worlds.
MAHOGANY NUBUCK - S. B. FOOT TANNING Co., RED WING
This Nubuck leather originates from the famous S.B. Foot Tanning Company in Minnesota. They are well known for being the primary leather supplier for the Red Wing Shoe Company.
As expected from its usage in leather boots, this durable leather won’t let you down. The leather also feels smoother than the average Nubuck (such as the blue grey Nubuck above) because it is oiled.
This Nubuck retains its primary characteristics throughout its aging process. You can expect the leather to turn more supple and smoother over time.
NATURAL – HORWEEN, CHROMEXCEL
The Horween Leather Company needs little introduction. Their most famous leathers, Chromexcel and Shell Cordovan, have been produced since 1905 with a secret formula. These leathers are unique to Horween and are celebrated worldwide for their quality and heritage.
The Chromexcel leather is famous for being one of the best “pull-up” leathers. When soft aniline leather creases, bends and stretches, the color migrates to the stimulated “pulled” area and causes the color to become lighter. This change in color gives the “pull-up” leather its name.
Chromexcel is unique in that it is naturally air-dried unlike many other aniline leathers, which results in a tighter break. Thanks to its manufacturing process, it has excellent scratch recovery too. With its special pull-up characteristic, this is a fine leather to age and patinate on your wrist.