Bund Strap for a 1944 Longines Bullseye in Black Shark
A vintage Longines from 1944 has two problems a modern strap rarely solves at once: an odd 15.5mm lug width that falls between standard sizes, and a gold or steel caseback that has spent eighty years against skin. A bund strap for the Longines Bullseye handles both. The strap is cut to the exact lug gap, and a leather pad sits under the case so the back of the watch never touches the wrist.
This one went to an order from Florida. Here is how it was specified and why each choice makes sense on a watch this old.
The build
| Strap style | Bund (leather pad under the case) |
|---|---|
| Leather | Black sharkskin |
| Lug width | 15.5mm (0.61 in), measured by the owner |
| Strap width | Straight at 15.5mm, no taper through the body |
| Strap length | 75/125mm (2.95/4.92 in) |
| Buckle | Deployant, stainless steel, 16mm (0.63 in) |
| Spring bars | Quick release |
| Stitching | Side stitching, golden brown |
| Tip | Tapered |
Why these choices
The lug width came straight from the owner: 15.5mm, not 16mm. Forcing a 16mm strap into a 15.5mm gap bunches the leather at the spring bar and stresses vintage lugs, while a 15mm strap leaves a visible gap on each side. So the strap was cut to 15.5mm and kept straight the whole way down. The owner was happy to run a 16mm deployant at the far end, which is the closest standard buckle size and keeps the clasp from looking undersized.
The bund pad was the second instruction. The owner asked for it to be wider than the case including the crown, roughly 39mm (1.54 in), and offered photos to confirm the measurement. A pad that stops short of the crown lets the case edge rock against the wrist. One that runs past it frames the watch and fully insulates the caseback, which is the whole point of a bund on a 1940s watch.
Sharkskin is the toughest of the exotic leathers, with a dense, tooth-textured grain. That suits a bund, which takes more flexing and sweat than a plain two-piece strap because of the extra layer under the case. Golden brown stitching adds warmth against the black leather without the hard contrast of white thread. The deployant means the strap is never bent through a buckle on and off, so the leather at the holes stays flat for years.
★★★★★
“I ordered the bund feature for a somewhat heavy ss watch. Very comfortable. The fit is precise based on my provided measurements.”
Robert D. · Verified purchase · Crocodile strap with bund
FAQ
Can you make a bund strap for a Longines Bullseye with a 15.5mm lug width?
Yes. Our custom bund straps are cut to your measured lug width, including half-millimeter sizes like 15.5mm. Measure between the lugs with calipers, or have a jeweler do it, and add the number in the order notes.
How wide should the bund pad be?
Wide enough to cover the case, crown included, so the watch sits fully on leather. Send a photo with a ruler or your case diameter and we will size the pad from it.
Every strap is made to order, so allow 2–3 weeks to delivery. Start with the custom leather watch straps configurator, or browse our sharkskin leather watch straps.