Roll up, roll up. Get your Donegal tweed straps here

[Carlton-Browne]

Last year I had a couple of Donegal tweed straps made by Andrea at Martustraps; I bought the tweed from Kevin & Howlin in Dublin and sent it off to her with the details of my order.

Here are some pictures I took after they landed:


Subsequently I picked up some more tweed and organised a small batch of straps to be made for members of the watch sub-forum on Boards.ie. The results, at least to me, were rather pleasing:



There was also some positive feedback recently when Mr Stoat took delivery of his last week:

http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.ph...uth-upon-Tweed

A quantity of tweed is still available with Andrea so, given the interest stated in Mr Stoat's thread, these straps are now available here and this is how it will work:

The straps are $30 each posted to Europe and, given that I've effectively donated the tweed, I expect £5 to be donated separately into the fundraiser for each strap upon receipt. I still believe this to be excellent value for a made to order strap. I'll co-ordinate the ordering but when the straps are ready you will receive contact from Andrea and she will take payment by Paypal (for the $30) and post individually.

I've taken pictures of the tweed and then colour adjusted the photos in Lightroom on my laptop monitor with the tweed in my hand so as to try to get the best possible match. Here are the samples with the dimensions and the estimate from Andrea as to how many straps we should get from each fabric swatch.

Blue salt & pepper


18 straps available

Dark green "houndstooth"


19 straps available

Mid-grey salt & pepper


20 straps available

Dark grey salt & pepper


15 straps available

Mid green salt & pepper


8 straps available

Light-grey "herringbone" with a hint of green


16 straps available

Additionally, and since the previous set were made, Andrea informs me that she can offer a choice of thread colour for the stitching; unfortunately I don't have a colour chart but this is what she indicates is possible. With the previous order Andrea generally matched the thread colour to the tweed so if you don't have an obvious colour choice then perhaps just indicate "matching":

- Snow white
- Off-white - Ecru
- Tan
- Pale yellow
- Yellow
- Bright orange
- Burnt orange
- Burgundy
- Red
- Purple
- Light blue
- Royal Blue
- Navy Blue
- Aqua
- Lime green
- Olive Green
- Musk Green


The information that I need from you by PM is as follows:

Type of tweed:
Lug width:
Buckle width:
Length of long bit:
Length of short bit:
Thread colour:
Name and email address:

The straps Andrea has already made for me are a smidgen over 4.5mm thick and come with one fixed and one floating keeper. As you can see from the first photos they are leather backed which is absolutely essential.

I've consulted with Eddie about the best placement for this thread and, so that we don't miss out any new members, have chosen to place it here.

[Carlton-Browne]

Blue salt & pepper

1. johnnyhayward (6)
2. Mr Curta (36)
3. village (7)
4. jimyu (11)
5. Sinnlover (12)
6. sazzle (14)
7. Mystery Scott (18)
8. paddy1911 (19)
9. Rocket Man (20)
10. mikeeb1 (22)
11. paw3001 (44)
12. alslater (16)
13. rsykes2000 (24)
14. Ey-Up (27)
15. ism123 (43)
16. wotsthecrack (28)
17. OHG1X (48)
18. Onecoolcookie (Boards.ie) (47)

Dark green "houndstooth"

1. Mr Curta (40)
2. village (8)
3. gentlemenpreferhats (33)
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.

Mid-grey salt & pepper

1. Carlton-Browne (1)
2. Saint-Just (46)
3. Caruso (31)
4. hughtrimble (49)
5. woodacre1983 (52)
6. joe1978 (53)
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

Dark grey salt & pepper

1. Binsull (4)
2. johnnyhayward (5)
3. Mr Curta (37)
4. village (9)
5. Lukeott (15)
6. RaulGonzalez (29)
7. Rocket Man (21)
8. mikeeb1 (23)
9. paw3001 (45)
10. JGJG (25)
11. Raffe (42)
12. RaulGonzalez (30)
13. gentlemenpreferhats (34)
14. hughtrimble (41)
15. Ey-Up (51)

Mid green salt & pepper

1. Carlton-Browne (2)
2. Mr Curta (38)
3. Ripley (10)
4. JGJG (26)
5. BillyCasper (35)
6. Ey-Up (50)
7. Sold-out
8. Sold-out

Light-grey "herringbone" with a hint of green

1. Carlton-Browne (3)
2. Mr Curta (39)
3. Sinnlover (13)
4. Mystery Scott (17)
5. Caruso (32)
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.

[Mr Curta]

Excellent, C-B. I'll be in touch with details, they all look fantastic.

[sazzle]

Brilliant. Will get the measurements when I’m home later and send a PM. Thank you

[paskinner]

Do you dry clean them, or what?

[Carlton-Browne]

Do you dry clean them, or what?

I honestly have no idea but I would imagine it would involve the application of some common sense.

[jimyu]

Awesome and great price. Order PM'd

many thanks!

[paskinner]

I honestly have no idea but I would imagine it would involve the application of some common sense.

You are the one promoting them . To say you have 'no idea' how to clean them seems somewhat dismissive of a perfectly reasonable question. Straps get dirty.. 'Common sense' suggests I ask the guy recommending them, but that clearly doesn't work.

[Mr Curta]

You are the one promoting them . To say you have 'no idea' how to clean them seems somewhat dismissive of a perfectly reasonable question. 'Common sense' suggests I ask the seller, but that clearly doesn't work.

You don't do yourself any favours, do you?

[sazzle]

Do you dry clean them, or what?

Maybe I’m a bit of a wrong’un but I’ve never felt the need to regularly wash / clean my watch straps.

p.s. fantastic gesture and PM sent

[Lukeott]

I think they look great, PM sent (hopefully you got it, private messages are a bit flakey on the TZ-UK app)
I intend to clean mine with liberal applications of Common Sense

[Saint-Just]

PM sent too

[sean]

Do you dry clean them, or what?

Bit of simple Googling turns up this, you uncouth dotard.

How to Care for your Harris Tweed Watch Strap

DOS:

• Steaming the Harris Tweed is safe and gentle to the fabric. It reduces wrinkling and kills most germs and bacteria, helping eliminate odours.
• Wool and cashmere spray can freshen the fabric and add a scent to the fabric while removing odours.
• The straps are water resistant and fine to use and wear in the rain. If you get caught out in a downpour, just dry the item flat at room temperature and the fabric will not be affected You can simply air out your garments for a day to remove odours
• A new stain requires immediate attention to keep it from penetrating the woolen fibers. The faster you can address a spill, the less likely it will be to cause a permanent stain on the fabric. Use a soft cleaning towel to dab on the tweed to soak up as much of a liquid stain as possible. Avoid rubbing the tweed as it is a delicate fabric.
• For a stain mark that is heavier, apply a solution of mild detergent for wool in warm water on the cleaning towel and gently swab the stain. If the stain still don't go away, use an extra fine soft bristle brush to lightly sweep away the stain.

DON’TS:

• Do not rub the fabric as it will loosen the fabric and cause it to lose its shape
• Do not use bleach or harsh chemicals as these can cause loss or change in color or cause damage to the fabric.
• Avoid taking showers with the strap and keep away from water or other liquid when possible.
• Do not try and speed up the drying of your strap with heat as it could make the wool shrink and your strap might not look the same anymore. The leather will also dry out naturally at room
• With correct care for the Harris Tweed watch straps, it can last for many years to come.

[Tetlee]

Which one is the Universal Geneve with silver chapter ring? Dark grey salt and pepper?

[verv]

You are the one promoting them . To say you have 'no idea' how to clean them seems somewhat dismissive of a perfectly reasonable question. Straps get dirty.. 'Common sense' suggests I ask the guy recommending them, but that clearly doesn't work.

Dumbass.

[AlphaOmega]

You are the one promoting them . To say you have 'no idea' how to clean them seems somewhat dismissive of a perfectly reasonable question. Straps get dirty.. 'Common sense' suggests I ask the guy recommending them, but that clearly doesn't work.

Nobody's being dismissive.


















Now be off with you.

[Sinnlover]

You are the one promoting them . To say you have 'no idea' how to clean them seems somewhat dismissive of a perfectly reasonable question. Straps get dirty.. 'Common sense' suggests I ask the guy recommending them, but that clearly doesn't work.

It's a watch strap made of natural material = a disposable item.
'Common sense' says if it gets dirty or smelly, throw it away. No care needed.

[Der Amf]

Do you dry clean them, or what?

Advice on PurseForum on cleaning tweed handbags:

https://forum.purseblog.com/index.php?threads/139264/

[Raffe]

I honestly have no idea but I would imagine it would involve the application of some common sense.

That could prove a difficult task, given who asked the question.

[paw3001]

You are the one promoting them . To say you have 'no idea' how to clean them seems somewhat dismissive of a perfectly reasonable question. Straps get dirty.. 'Common sense' suggests I ask the guy recommending them, but that clearly doesn't work.

So someone doing a good turn, with nothing in it for themselves deserves to be spoken to in such a rude manner for answering your question in a humorous way. I think you should be ashamed and apologise but you are properly too big a chap to do such a thing!

May I suggest that if you wish to have full care instructions for your straps that you only purchase OEM from professional authorised dealers but I feel that you would still be disappointed.

[paw3001]

That aside, please put me down for 2 straps, the dark grey salt and pepper and the blue salt and pepper.

I will PM over the full details tomorrow.

Thank you

[JGJG]

@Carlton-Browne

These look the biz and I certainly intend to order a couple!! Would you mind awfully letting me know what each of the fabrics in the 2 watch group pics are please; they show up in a different light, as it were, from the swatch photos and it would help me whittle my choice down!

Huge thanks for organising this!

[JGJG]

Possibly a silly question, but can they be ordered for deployant as well as tang? Thanks again!

[Carlton-Browne]

Which one is the Universal Geneve with silver chapter ring? Dark grey salt and pepper?

That's the mid grey one - it's the watch I was wearing when we met at the Weinbrunnen.

@Carlton-Browne

These look the biz and I certainly intend to order a couple!! Would you mind awfully letting me know what each of the fabrics in the 2 watch group pics are please; they show up in a different light, as it were, from the swatch photos and it would help me whittle my choice down!

Huge thanks for organising this!

Apologies but the 1st on the left was from the very first set I had made and we have run out of that cloth - sorry for the confusion. After that , L-R, it's mid-grey s&p, dark grey s&p, blue s&p, mid-green s&p

Possibly a silly question, but can they be ordered for deployant as well as tang? Thanks again!

I don't see why not - assuming you are talking about the Omega-style deployant straps I believe that this just means that one piece of the strap would be a significantly different length. Unless anybody knows better, of course.

[Raffe]

Will you bring samples on Saturday?

[Carlton-Browne]

Will you bring samples on Saturday?

Yes.

[Raffe]

Yes.

Do they come with cleaning instructions? Asking for a friend.

[Carlton-Browne]

No.









padding

[JGJG]

Thanks for the responses - will measure up later today 🤗

[paw3001]

Do they come with cleaning instructions? Asking for a friend.

Ha ha

And Raffe wasn't asking for me!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[barryw]

They are superb looking straps and a fantastic gesture, just wish I had something that I could put one on.........:(
Bugger!

[Culminator]

Very unusual straps but on the right watch, they look great.

[Ey-Up]

This is a great gesture - thank you.
Please can I put my name down for a blue salt and pepper.
Details to follow.

[Rocket Man]

Tweed accessories seem to be in fashion at the moment...

http://uk.pcmag.com/smartwatches-1/7...ted-at-ifa?p=8

[JGJG]

Order placed for two straps. Thanks again for going to these lengths to organise for us all. We'll have to get a photo thread going once deliveries begin... cannot wait!!

:)

[JGJG]

And... dibs on calling my strap configuration the "tweedy Tuesday".

I will then resell it here upon delivery and put the kids through college

[barryw]

And... dibs on calling my strap configuration the "tweedy Tuesday".

I will then resell it here upon delivery and put the kids through college

:)

[AlphaOmega]

And... dibs on calling my strap configuration the "tweedy Tuesday".

I will then resell it here upon delivery and put the kids through college

Quality.

[wotsthecrack]

PM sent, Blue Salt and Pepper please.

Brilliant gesture

Cheers

[learningtofly]

Got anything in a 38, Alan?

[OHG1X]

PM sent.


Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app

[Carlton-Browne]

Got anything in a 38, Alan?

I'll have a look but shouldn't that be in a short fitting?

























Well done on the regime BTW. You must feel like a new man.

[Ripley]

Thanks for doing this Alan, and adding my order. Great gesture.

[Carlton-Browne]

Give this a little bump. I've sent the first little batch of instructions off to Andrea and the next two batches are just waiting on a couple of PMs to come back. To simplify the exercise (at least for me) I have allocated a strap no for each item and that is the number in brackets after your username in the 2nd post in the thread. I can't promise that straps will be ready in number order as it may be that Andrea prefers to work with one cloth sample at a time - I have no intention of interfering in the manufacturing process.

If you do not have a number after your name then you haven't provided the details of your order, and you know that (please PM me if you believe this is not the case). Don't feel under pressure as you will now not be delaying any order other than your own. Obviously there will be a cut-off point for any stragglers but I have plenty of patience and it isn't a race.

[Mr Curta]

A quick count up of the orders placed so far indicates that the fundraiser stands to gain a minimum of £200.

[Sinnlover]

A quick count up of the orders placed so far indicates that the fundraiser stands to gain a minimum of £200.

Absolutely
The fund raiser benefits
The lady making the straps gets business and everyone gets a unique watch strap.
Thanks to Carlton-Browne for donating the fabric in the first place.

[JGJG]

^ here here

[Sinnlover]

Andrea emailed me last night
My straps are almost finished.
Looking forward to receiving them.

[barryw]

Looking forward to seeing these.

[paw3001]

For some reason my PM doesn't seem to getting through and so I have posted the details below. You should already have my contact details but I can text them to you if necessary.

First Strap:
Type of tweed: Blue salt and Pepper
Lug width:23mm
Buckle width:23mm (no taper)
Length of long bit:115mm
Length of short bit:90mm (buckle)
Thread colour: Happy for Andrea to choose the best match

Second Strap
Type of tweed: Dark Grey Salt and Pepper
Lug width:20mm
Buckle width:taper to 18mm
Length of long bit:115mm
Length of short bit:90mm (buckle)
Thread colour: Happy for Andrea to choose the best match