Open-Ended Sharkskin Strap for a Vintage Omega
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A 1941 solid-gold Omega arrived with fixed lug pins: the spring bars are pinned into the case and don't come out, so a standard strap has nothing to thread around. The fix is an open-ended strap, where the leather is left open at the watch end so it wraps the fixed 17mm pins instead of needing a removable bar. We cut this one in black sharkskin.
Strap specifications
| Watch | Vintage Omega, 1941 (14k gold) |
|---|---|
| Strap style | Open-ended (for fixed lug pins) |
| Leather | Black sharkskin |
| Lug width | 17 mm (fixed pins) |
| Strap length | 75/125 mm (about 3.0 / 4.9 in) |
| Buckle width | 14 mm |
| Buckle | Classic, gold |
Why these choices
Open-ended construction is the only practical way to put a fresh strap on a watch with fixed pins. Rather than force a spring bar where the case won't allow one, the strap end is finished open so it slides over the existing 17mm pins and sits flush against the lugs. Nothing about the original case is altered.
Sharkskin is the toughest of the exotic leathers, with a dense, tooth-textured grain that reads as quietly rugged rather than flashy. On an 85-year-old gold watch that has clearly been worn and kept, that pairing makes sense: a hard-wearing skin under a survivor case. Black keeps the focus on the gold.
The strap tapers from 17mm at the lugs down to a 14mm gold buckle, echoing the slimmer proportions of a 1940s dress case and matching the gold of the watch. At 75/125mm it suits a mid-size wrist, and we can cut shorter or longer on request.
FAQ
Can you make an open-ended strap for a vintage Omega with fixed pins? Yes. That is exactly what open-ended straps are for: watches where the spring bars are fixed and a conventional strap can't be threaded. We finish the watch end open so it seats over the existing pins.
Does an open-ended strap feel secure? Yes. The leather is cut to wrap the pins snugly, so the strap holds the same way a standard band would once it is seated.
If you have a vintage Omega or another watch with fixed lugs, you can order an open-ended strap built to your measurements, browse our sharkskin watch straps, or see the full range of custom leather watch straps. Made to order, allow 2-3 weeks to delivery.