We do not like most of the bands on the market. We wanted better.
Many “leather” bands were not 100% leather, and some “leather” bands were not leather at all. Many “leather” bands contain artificial man-made fillers or other products we did not like.
We contacted band makers in China, in Italy and all over the world. None made a band we liked, nor were they willing to make it to our specifications. We tested and deconstructed many bands from the expensive “name brands” to the cheap ones on eBay and found lies, deceit and more lies.
One large Band Manufacture said to us, when asked: “how do you make your vast array of, crocodile, alligator, ostrich bands?” – “We use cow”.
This is bad, not value and lacks authenticity.
It has taken much time, but our research pointed to a family of marsupials called Macropods, or simply, the Australian Kangaroo. An interesting fact, a Red Kangaroo can travel at 70 km/h. Kangaroo meat is excellent eating, high in protein and low in fat (about 2%). It is our national animal that we shoot, eat and wear.
Studies conducted by CSIRO (an Australian government scientific organisation – Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation – it is correct to say the letters as it is not a word), confirm that kangaroo is one of the strongest leathers available…. Kangaroo leather is lighter and stronger than the hide of a cow or goat. It has 10 times the tensile strength of cowhide and is 50% stronger than goat skin. (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangaroo_leather).
It is not surprising to find Kangaroo used in critical areas of professional Motor Sport for (in particular) gloves and full leathers (race suits).
Hence, we choose Kangaroo for the OWC band. Add to that stainless steel hardware and some glue, and that is all.
We found a shop in Vietnam: gave the bloke the Hermes videos on strap making and told him: “We want better”. He made better and we love it.
Being obsessive compulsive and a little sceptical, we supply everything (except the thread, glue and labour).
The OWC Bands are designed for OWC watches with screw bars and will be hard to remove if attached to watches without drilled lugs, (due to the 3 stainless steel strengthening tubes at the buckle and screw bar ends).
The OWC Band is competent, clean, designed and fit for purpose – nothing else. It is that simple.
We accept only Kangaroo, no BULL.
[Specifications subject to change without notice.]