Extra-Long Crocodile Strap for a Frédérique Constant Carrée
Dress watches get the shortest straps in the industry. The assumption is that a square case on a slim strap belongs on a slim wrist, and that leaves anyone past 8.5 in choosing between the last hole and a different watch. This order was an extra-long crocodile strap for a Frédérique Constant Carrée Moonphase, cut to 90/145 mm for an 8.5 in wrist.
The customer gave us the wrist size in one line of notes. That single number is what the whole build hangs on.
Build sheet
| Watch | Frédérique Constant Carrée Moonphase, white dial |
|---|---|
| Leather | Black crocodile |
| Strap length | 90/145 mm (3.5 in / 5.7 in), extra-long |
| Wrist | 8.5 in (216 mm) |
| Buckle width | 18 mm |
| Buckle | Classic, stainless steel |
| Spring bars | Quick release |
The 18 mm figure is the buckle width, which is not the same as the lug width. The order did not give a lug measurement, so there is none published here.
Why these choices
Going from 75/125 mm to 90/145 mm adds 35 mm of strap, and on a crocodile build that is not a trivial addition. The scale pattern runs down the length of the hide and gets smaller toward the tail, so a longer strap has to be cut from a longer run of skin to keep the grading looking deliberate. That is the part that limits how many extra-long crocodile straps a hide yields, and it is why the length is worth specifying properly rather than ordering standard and hoping.
Crocodile and alligator are industry synonyms for the same hide family. It softens with wear and takes a hand-rubbed patina, which is what makes it worth the cost on a watch you keep. Black on a white-dial square case is the conservative choice and the correct one: the case is doing the shape, so the strap should not compete with it.
Quick-release bars were specified, which on a dress watch is mostly about not slipping a tool near polished lugs.
★★★★★
“When i ordered my Hamilton Khaki Field Murph (42mm) for my 8.5” wrist I suspected the original imitation crocodile band would be too short, even though the watch’s lug to lug size is 52mm. So I ordered an authentic crocodile band from your company to match Hamilton’s original.”
Dave D. · Black crocodile strap
Questions we get
What size is an extra-long crocodile strap for a Frédérique Constant Carrée?
This build went out at 90/145 mm, or 235 mm total, for an 8.5 in wrist. We cut anywhere in the 8.5 in to 12 in range, so the honest answer is that it depends on your wrist rather than on the watch.
Is extra-long the same as buying a longer stock strap?
No. A longer stock strap is usually the same pattern with more tail on it. Cutting long means redrawing the taper across the extra distance and moving the keepers so the tail is still held flat.
If your dress watch has run out of holes, start with the black crocodile strap and put your wrist size in the notes. You can also browse the extra-long watch straps, the full crocodile leather range, or our black leather watch straps. Every strap is made to order, so allow 2 to 3 weeks to delivery.