Notched Sharkskin Strap for a Movado Olympian

The Movado Olympian is one of those vintage cases a standard watch band simply cannot fit: the strap has to be notched to clear the case before it can reach the spring bars. Off-the-shelf straps do not come that way, which is how these watches end up in drawers. This order brought one back with black sharkskin, corner-notched to the owner's measurements.

The build

Why these choices

A corner notch is the same pattern used for cases in the Cartier Santos mold: material is removed from each corner of the strap end so the leather steps in and seats inside the case profile. The A/B/C numbers are the width across the strap end, the depth of the step, and the cut-in on each side, and we cut them exactly as supplied. Getting them right is the entire job, which is why we recommend having a jeweler measure the case if you are unsure; a millimeter off and the strap either jams against the case or shows a gap.

Sharkskin is a fitting leather for a strap that has to work this hard. It is among the toughest exotics we cut, with a dense, tooth-textured grain that shrugs off edge wear at exactly the points where a notched strap takes stress. On a vintage watch, its matte black surface reads period-correct rather than flashy, and it lets the case shape, the reason for all this effort, stay the focus.

★★★★★

“Very happy with my sharkskin strap. Great quality and workmanship, I would highly recommend VGreen.”

Ralph P. · Verified purchase · Custom notched sharkskin strap

Fit questions

Can I really get a notched strap for a Movado Olympian?

Yes. Order through our corner-notched strap page with your A/B/C measurements and leather choice; every strap in the notched strap collection is cut per order to the numbers you supply.

How do I take the A/B/C measurements?

Measure the full strap-end width (A), the depth of the step the case needs (B), and the corner cut-in (C), in millimeters. If the case is unusual, a jeweler can measure it in minutes, and it is worth the trip; the notch cannot be re-cut once the leather is shaped.

Sharkskin is one of several leathers we notch; the full range is in the sharkskin collection and across all custom leather watch straps. Every strap is made to order; allow 2 to 3 weeks to delivery.