Hello everyone, and welcome to another Singaporean review! On this shiok Saturday, I’m reviewing a couple of straps from local strap label, Wrisky.
Wrisky is a homegrown watch strap label that specialises in affordable straps. In my opinion, they offer some of the best affordable leather straps on the market – not just regular straps, but also in handcrafted exotics! The brand sent me their French Goat Leather Strap and the Ostrich Leg Leather Strap. Let’s see if they are any good!
Wrisky – the Brand
Wrisky was founded by two young chaps (who met in the army) when they were in university. The brand name is a portmanteau of the words Wrist and Risky, as the brand seeks to encourage its customers to a chance and explore more strap options. Currently, WRISKY carries all watch-related accessories from watch mod parts to watch straps to watch stands and anything watch related. They aim to provide a one-stop shopping experience to all watch enthusiasts.
Alright, without further ado let’s delve into the review!
Wrisky – Video Review
If you would like to see hands-on footage of the straps, do watch the Youtube video below!
Wrisky – French Goat Leather Strap
Firstly, let’s take a look at the their French Goat Leather Strap.
I had never tried a goat leather strap before, and was pleasantly surprised by how supple the strap was. Despite it being new, there’s no stiff feeling to the strap. No break-in period was required, and the strap was soft and comfortable from the get-go. On the wrist, the strap conforms well and is extremely comfy. Wrisky also states that the strap is water-resistant, due to the presence of lanolin, a waxy grease produced by the goat’s skin. No need to worry when caught in the rain, or when rinsing your hands under the tap!
Furthermore, I love the pebble grain texture of the strap. It has a nice vintage feel to it, akin to the appearance of the leather from vintage sofas, wallets, etc. With a vintage watch, or even a nice dress watch (like the Maison Celadon Imperial here), it’s absolutely stunning. Aesthetically, I like the subtlety of having matching stitching – instead of a contrasting thread colour – as well as its tapered end. It’s a strap that has a lot of character, but with enough restraint to not outshine the watch.
The lining is actually pretty comfortable, and a far cry from the rough, cardboard-like texture that’s typical of straps at this price point. It seems to be lined with calfskin, and is of surprisingly good quality. In addition, the strap loop is stitched (as opposed to glued), which greatly enhances its durability. Unfortunately, it does not come with quick-release spring bars, so you will have to use the regular spring bar tool when switching straps, which can be a hassle.
I absolutely adore the French Goat Leather Strap from Wrisky. It’s soft and supple, looks great, and feels comfortable on the wrist as well. For just $30, it’s a terrific value proposition. In fact, I’ll go so far as to say that this is probably one of the best, if not the best leather strap that you can get for $30. If you’re searching for a quality leather strap but you don’t have much to spend, this should be at the top of your list.
Price: $30
Wrisky – Ostrich Leg Exotic Leather Strap
Finally, let’s review the Ostrich Leg Exotic leather strap from Wrisky!
In addition to their line of affordable leather straps, Wrisky also offers its own curation of handcrafted exotic leather straps (made in the USA) at frankly unbelievable prices. These pieces are often one of a kind – once it’s sold, it’s gone. They do offer handcrafted crocodile straps for those of you with more conventional tastes, but this Ostrich strap really piqued my attention and I’m glad Wrisky was able to send one over to me for the review!
The texture of the Ostrich Leg strap is simply magnificent. They say a picture paints a thousand words, so I’ll just refer you to the photo above! If you want a strap that is a showstopper, this is it. I should highlight that due to its handcrafted and exotic nature, no two Ostrich Leg straps will be identical as the grains will slightly different. That’s the beauty of exotic straps for you!
A hallmark of a handcrafted strap is its hand-painted edges. Look at that – it’s beautiful. Great attention to detail here!
I’m pleased to report that the lining is pretty comfortable, and feels premium to the touch. It’s smooth, supple, and also adds a nice aesthetic contrast to the strap’s blue exterior. I would say that it’s one of the best linings that I’ve ever come across in a reviewed strap. Once again, the strap loop is hand-stitched with red threading, providing a spark of colour and a nice contrast to the overall look of the strap.
All in all, I love the Ostrich Leg Exotic strap from Wrisky. I mean, it’s a handcrafted exotic strap for $68 – for that price, it’s a no brainer. This is probably the cheapest handcrafted exotic strap that you can get, and it’s actually pretty good. To put it into context, it’s half the price of the exotic straps from Nomad Watch Works – and those aren’t even handcrafted! For those of you who have refrained from tipping your toes into the world of handcrafted straps due to its price, this is a great place to start. Highly recommended!
Price: $72
Conclusion – so Wrisky straps “shiok” or not?
For the most part, yes. I think their straps are great value propositions. In particular, I highly recommend the French Goat Leather strap for those looking for affordable (~$30) straps, while their handcrafted exotic straps are probably the cheapest in the local market currently. No matter your budget, I think Wrisky offers leather straps that are terrific bang-for-buck. In addition to leather straps, they also offer a wide range of other straps (MN, NATO, rubber, Apple watch, etc), SKX mod bezels and bracelets, and even watch storage options such as watch pouches and watch stands! Like their leather straps, Wrisky’s other offerings are sensibly priced as well.
For those interested, you can use the promo code “WAHSOSHIOK” for 10% off all straps from Wrisky’s web-store! After the discount, the French Goat Leather strap would be just $30, the Italian Epsom Leather strap costs $36, and the Ostrich Exotic Leather strap would be a mere $72. It’s great to see a young homegrown brand having such strong product offerings – can’t wait to see what they come up with in the future!
View Wrisky’s web-store 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!
P.S.S If you haven’t already, do follow my social media channels on Facebook here, and on Instagram here!
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.
