In this listicle, I’ll be shortlisting the best affordable (sub-S$100) leather watch straps one can find in Singapore.
Personally, I love my watches on a nice leather strap – it’s my preferred choice. A bracelet requires resizing at a watchmaker, while NATO just cheapens the watch a little. A good leather strap is often an artisanal product, and elevates the timepiece. In this listicle, I’ll be rounding up my top 10 leather strap options from local brands, without breaking the bank. Options below are listed in ascending order of price.
1) Straps House
If you’re on an ultra-tight budget, consider Straps House.
My opinion: Straps House offers some of the most affordable straps on the market. Despite the low price, its straps are of decent quality, and regularly punches above its price points. If you don’t want to spend too much – perhaps you’re just looking for a replacement strap for a Daniel Wellington, for example – then I’ll recommend its Brown Padded Leather Watch Strap, which costs just a tad above S$20. It also comes with quick-release spring bars, so you fit the strap without the use of any tools.
Price: Starts at just $26 SGD for leather straps. As Straps House is an official affiliate of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy 10% off all items store-wide!
Where to buy: Click here.
2) Nomad Watch Works
With a wide range of leather straps available at affordable price points, Nomad Watch Works is my go-to for leather straps.
My opinion: If you’re looking for bang-for-buck, look no further than Nomad Watch Straps. Though most of its straps are extremely affordable, the quality of its straps are actually pretty decent, and punch way above its weight for its price range. In my opinion, the brand offers the best leather straps one can find for under S$40. Nomad has a huge variety available as well, such as Horween straps, Epsom straps, Pueblo straps, and more. I actually reviewed a bunch of its straps – for a more detailed opinion, do read the article here, here, and its latest straps here. I also reviewed some of its watch storage options here.
Price: Starts at just $39 SGD for “premium” leather straps, such as Epsom, Pueblo and Horween. As Nomad Watch Works is an official affiliate of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy 10% off all items store-wide!
Where to buy: Click here.
3) Strapatelier
Another strap label that offers quality products at affordable pricing, Strapatelier has a thoughtful curation of leather straps that will elevate any watch.
My opinion: Founded by watch enthusiast Kai in 2017, Strapatelier offers a wide range of affordable straps that offers terrific value for money. In particular, I find its wide varieties of leather straps to be great bang-for-buck. Most of its leather straps are vegetable-tanned, and patinas beautifully over time. Like Nomad, the brand sells Epsom, Horween and Pueblo leather straps at affordable prices, and even have bund straps available for those seeking something different. Strapatelier also includes free spring bars, microsuede cloth and even a spring bar removal tool above a certain spending amount! For those interested, I did a full review of its straps here.
Price: Strapatelier’s Epsom, Horween, Pueblo and Bund straps start at $43 SGD. As Strapatelier is an official affiliate of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy 10% off all items store-wide!
Where to buy: Click here.
4) Wabi Straps
For those looking for affordability and variety, Wabi Straps offers a range of aesthetically intriguing straps that won’t break the bank!
My opinion: When it comes to leather straps, Wabi Straps has a niche. For one, its Black Tapered Dress Watch strap is the best alligator embossed strap that I’ve experienced at under S$50. Its rally straps are also pretty good, while its lizard straps are the perfect complement for a vintage watch. If you’re looking for more unique – but still affordable – leather straps, Wabi Straps is a great choice. For more detailed opinions, do read my review here.
Price: Prices start from US$35, or $46 SGD. As Wabi Straps is an official affiliate of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy 10% off all items store-wide!
Where to buy: Click here.
5) Coup de Coeur
If you’re a fan of colourful straps, Coup de Coeur is perfect for you.
My opinion: Coup de Coeur is mainly a watch brand (I reviewed its watches here, and here), but it does sell a wide variety of affordable watch straps. My favourites would be its brightly coloured leather straps – colours such as Ocean Blue, Watermelon Red, Lavender Pink and more are available. If you’re looking to pull a Kevin O’Leary and must have a red watch strap, then look no further than Coup de Coeur.
Price: Coup de Coeur coloured leather straps start at $49 SGD. As Coup de Coeur is an official affiliate of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy 10% off all items store-wide!
Where to buy: Click here.
6) Vario
Vario makes some of the best bang-for-buck straps in the local market.
My opinions: While Vario is better known for its vibrantly patterned NATO straps as well as its Harris Tweed straps, it also offers a wonderful collection of Italian leather strap. With a texture similar to Epsom, but more refined, Vario’s Italian leather straps are simply great value propositions. It’s supple right out of the gate, immensely comfortable on the wrist, and also features quick-release spring bars for easy interchangeability. There’s a wide variety of different colours available too. If you’re looking for an affordable leather strap for a dress watch, Vario is one of your best bets. For more detailed opinions, do read my review here.
Price: Vario’s Italian leather straps start at $56 SGD. As Vario is an official affiliate of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy 8% off all items store-wide!
Where to buy: Click here.
7) Cozy Handmade
Alright, we’re now in the handcrafted category. As its name suggests, Cozy Handmade specialises in handmade leather straps, but at a surprisingly affordable price point.
My opinion: I think that it’s amazing for Cozy Handmade to offer handcrafted straps for as low as $59 SGD. Its leather quality is quite good as well, given the fact that the brand uses full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather from Tuscany, Italy. Given the price point, its handcrafted straps hard to beat – it’s priced even cheaper than some mass market straps. Interestingly, Cozy Handmade also stock an extensive range of straps for the Apple Watch as well. For more detailed opinions, do check out my review of them here, and here.
Price: Starts at $59 SGD for a two-piece leather strap. As Cozy Handmade is an official affiliate of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy 10% off all items store-wide!
Where to buy: Click here.
8) Wrisky
If you’re looking to explore handcrafted straps, Wrisky is a great entry point to the world of artisanal strapmaking.
My opinion: Wrisky dispels the misconception that handcrafted, exotic straps have to be expensive. The brand has a curation of handcrafted exotic leather straps at a very accessible price point – you can get a handcrafted ostrich/crocodile strap for around $80, which to my knowledge is probably the most affordable locally. The quality is pretty terrific as well, and definitely punches above its price tag. If you would like to know my detailed opinion on Wrisky’s straps, do read the written review here, and the video review here.
Price: Wrisky’s handcrafted exotic leather straps start from $80 SGD. As Wrisky is an official affiliate of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy 10% off all items store-wide!
Where to buy: Click here.
9) Yi Leather
Located in the Bukit Merah, Yi Leather has garnered a sizeable customer base these past few years by providing high-quality handcrafted straps at affordable pricing.
My opinion: With Yi Leather, you’re mainly paying for the experience and expertise. There are places where you can get cheaper handcrafted straps with similar leather quality (for example, the aforementioned companies above), but I personally find the finishing of Yi Leather straps better. There’s also have a wide range of strap types/colours for one to choose from. My current recommendation would be the Dollaro Blue Watch Strap, which looks absolutely amazing (especially with the contrasting strap loops) without blowing a hole through the wallet. For a more detailed opinion, do read my review of Yi Leather straps here!
Price: Starts at $98 SGD for non-exotic straps. As Yi Leather is an official affiliate of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy 10% off all items store-wide!
Where to buy: Click here.
10) Obbi Good Label
A local team of leather artisans, Obbi Good Label (OGL for short) offers a range of rugged, durable products. While it’s more known for their bags and wallets, the brand do also have a substantial range of watch straps available.
My opinion: With OGL being known for its leather products, my favourite from the brand has to be the OGL WTC Rough-Out Watch Strap. Made using rough-out leather – but with the feel of velvet – it’s an interesting aesthetic that I’ve personally have not seen before. And given that OGL is known for rugged goods, the robust aesthetic of the strap fits the spirit of the brand perfectly. OGL also offers other styles of straps – you can read my review of the OGL FAB Mil Webbing watch strap here, and the OGL WTC Handstitch Leather Zulu watch strap here.
Price: Starts at $80 USD/S$105 for the WTC Rough-Out watch strap. As Obbi Good Label is an official affiliate of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy 10% off all items store-wide!
Where to buy: Click here.
P.S Do check out the new “Discounts!” page for exclusive discounts for Wahsoshiok readers! More brands will be added very soon – stay tuned!
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P.S.S.S Shiok is a common word Singaporeans use to express admiration or approval. As of 2016, you can find the definition of the word in the Oxford English Dictionary.
