Custom Corner-Notched Watch Strap

Your three measurements, from the diagram above:

• A — the full width of the strap end, measured across the widest part where it meets the case. (e.g. 22mm)
• B — the width of the notched tongue: the narrower tab that sits between the lugs. Always smaller than A. (e.g. 14mm)
• C — the depth of the notch: how far the tongue steps in from the shoulder. This is a small number. (e.g. 3mm)

Half-millimetres are fine (22.5 is a normal answer). If you're unsure, ask a jeweller to take the three measurements.

Please also tell us in Notes: your watch brand, model and reference number; the buckle-end width you want; whether you'd like the strap tapered or cut straight; and whether you're reusing your own buckle. We recommend reusing your watch's original spring bars where you can — mention it in Notes if your watch takes screws, tubes, unusually thick bars or recessed bar holes.

For the watches nobody else will make a strap for

Some watches won't take an ordinary strap. The lugs are recessed under the case, or the original bracelet was integrated into the case and there is no strap version, or the manufacturer stopped supplying the part years ago. A straight strap either won't go in at all, or goes in and looks wrong — a narrow band floating under a wide case.

A corner-notched strap solves it. We cut the strap to the full width of your case (A) and notch the corners so a narrower tongue (B) drops into the lug gap at the depth your case needs (C). It fills the case opening the way the original did, because it's cut to your watch rather than to a standard size.

Made to order in 3–5 days and typically delivered in 2–3 weeks, in any of our leathers.

Which watches need a notched strap?

• Recessed lugs — where the lug gap is far narrower than the case. The IWC Ingenieur Automatic (35, 40 and 42) is the clearest example: the tongue really is 14mm even though the case is 40mm wide, which is why an off-the-shelf 14mm strap looks so odd on it. The IWC Da Vinci 36 Moonphase is narrower still. Widths vary by reference — check yours before ordering.
• Integrated bracelets with no strap option — owners come to us for Omega Genève and Constellation, Movado, TAG Heuer Link and similar cases where the metal bracelet was part of the design and no leather version was ever sold.
• Discontinued OEM straps — the original broke, and the maker no longer supplies it. Oris TT3, Nivada Grenchen F77, micro-brands, square G-Shocks, vintage dress watches.
• Vintage and inherited watches — odd widths and shapes from an era before strap sizes were standardised.

Which notch do I need?

Corner-notched is the most common, but it isn't the only shape, and picking the wrong one is the most common ordering mistake we see.

• Corner-notched (this strap) — the corners of the strap end are cut away, leaving a narrower tongue in the middle.
• Centre-notched — the case cuts into the middle of the strap end rather than the corners.
• Multi-notched, style A and style B — more than one notch, for cases with several contact points.
• Curved-end — the end is cut on an arc to follow a curved case, not notched at all.
• Open-ended — for fixed bars instead of spring bars: a Tudor Pelagos FXD, a military or trench watch.

If the original strap end is not a plain rectangle, compare it against the shapes above — or send us a clear photo before ordering and we'll tell you which one you need.

Full guide: unusual watch straps — open-ended, notched and curved-end, explained with real customer examples.