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Da Luca Custom Shell Cordovan Two-Piece Watch Strap
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Da Luca Custom Shell Cordovan Two-Piece Watch Strap
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Product Description
This shell cordovan leather hails from the iconic Horween factory in Chicago. It begins with the fibrous flat muscle, or shell, of a horse’s hide Read More
Customer Reviews
2.3
(19 reviews)
5star(1)
4star(2)
3star(6)
2star(3)
1star(7)
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0
Feb 9, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
The strap looks pretty good, however the quality and customer service (Da Luca - I didn't reach out to Massdrop) are a disappointment.
After about two weeks (maybe three weeks tops) of wear the loop that keeps the excess strap flush to the wrist broke free from its stitching, leaving me with a separated loop that shifted around throughout the day. OK, not a huge deal but a minor annoyance. Then a few months later the little loop inevitably got lost. Again, not the end of the world so I didn't do anything. After receiving negative comments on the strap from two of my bosses on separate occasions (where I was too embarrassed to admit that it was an aftermarket strap I paid extra for and pretended it was OEM), I finally sent a customer service request to Da Luca which went unacknowledged for 14 days, then was told a replacement is available for purchase. Granted the replacement cost is only $10, and apparently the loop is made-to-order (which seems unusual since it's a separate piece stitched to the main strap IIRC), but it left a sour taste in my mouth. In hindsight I wish I had made a complaint when the loop first detached because now I'm left with a long excess of strap that hangs off my wrist and looks sort of ridiculous. Sure I can easily pay the $10 replacement cost but honestly, I'm not going to just out of principle.
Another issue is that it seems to detach entirely from the watch pretty easily when the watch is exposed to any moderate contact or vibration. I'd say every 6 weeks or so I grab a door handle or something and the whole thing just falls to the ground (usually with one end still connected to the watch case). When this happens the two parts of the strap are still connected since they were fastened through the buckle prior to the incident, but I have to search on the ground for the watch pin of the strap that disconnected from the case. I'm new to watches and don't know if this is typical, so I didn't give any weighting to my score for this issue. FYI, I'm using the strap on a Seiko SSB031. I can't remember the width of the strap but if someone knows how I can check I'd be happy to update.
If not for the loop detaching I'd give this 4 stars. I'd probably still give it 4 stars if they just sent me a spare loop in the lowest priority mail, but they didn't, and I'd feel like a total pushover if I paid the 10 bucks to restore it to being only somewhat damaged. So here I am, leaving a negative complaint on a product for the first time...
Windmaster
12
Dec 13, 2018
checkVerified Buyer
Cutting is uneven unfortunately. Otherwise a great shell cordovan watch strap at 70 dollars. Colour is also amazing. I got the navy colour and its quite rare to see navy shell cordovans.
ZinZan
26
Dec 13, 2018
checkVerified Buyer
Total utter shit
johshmoh
8
May 31, 2018
checkVerified Buyer
Middling quality for middling price. cheapest of my shell cordovan straps and it shows. not unsatisfied, but i wouldn't consider this one of the better straps in my collection (including Guarded Goods and Jack Foster - so price range is comparable). Also got the Chromexcel strap from Da Luca which seems really thick and the "free loop" always seems like it's on the verge of stretch-breaking (although it hasn't actually broken yet) since the fit is so tight.
I don't know if Da Luca sourced factory seconds from Horween (if such a thing exists), but the leather seems a bit "off" compared to my other straps with Horween (from Guarded Goods). there's spotting on the leather (like water damage) and it seems stiffer/lower quality somehow, even though i can see the Horween branding on it.
Nothing's broken yet and i like the thinness (on par with my other shell cordovan straps).
Would i recommend? yes, the same way i recommend buying from Dollarama (dollar store in Canada) - manage your expectations and you'll be ok. i would never buy from their site, though - those prices are 2.5 times what i would even consider given the quality i have thus far received (3 straps total from them).
ludachris
314
May 21, 2018
checkVerified Buyer
Cons: you get what you pay for in terms of the nip picking with the slanted stitches and crooked harware. I hope the hardware dont fall apart due to other reviews on here that Ive see. It doesnt bother me as much but the only thing I wish is that the straps are thicker for 20mm bands. Mine are probably at 1.5mm thick at most.
These straps look best on flat slim watches and I wouldnt recommend using these straps for diver or pilot watches just a preference.
I feel that this current drop went up $5more because I got my strap for $64.99 I wouldnt recommend this strap if its priced more than $70. I own ashland wallets and will try out his bands for sure.
Pros: I bought black, bourbon and color #8. Bands feel comfy, bands are genuine cordovan leather. The color and smell are excellent. At $65 its worth trying out but dont have high expectations. My rating 3/5 only worn for 2 days so far. Looks great on my longines bigeye just need thicker bands for this look.
Will keep ya posted if it holds up or breaks.
These straps look best on flat slim watches and I wouldnt recommend using these straps for diver or pilot watches just a preference.
I feel that this current drop went up $5more because I got my strap for $64.99 I wouldnt recommend this strap if its priced more than $70. I own ashland wallets and will try out his bands for sure.
Pros: I bought black, bourbon and color #8. Bands feel comfy, bands are genuine cordovan leather. The color and smell are excellent. At $65 its worth trying out but dont have high expectations. My rating 3/5 only worn for 2 days so far. Looks great on my longines bigeye just need thicker bands for this look.
Will keep ya posted if it holds up or breaks.
Bobraz
2631
May 25, 2018
ludachrisA smashing nice chronograph! Perfect look and balance between modern and vintage design!
I would be highly tempted to add it to my 'must get' list, that I worked hard to minimize. Although at 14mm height, it could be a little too much for me as anything over 12mm usually I find too tall.
I would be highly tempted to add it to my 'must get' list, that I worked hard to minimize. Although at 14mm height, it could be a little too much for me as anything over 12mm usually I find too tall.
mi3k
9
May 20, 2018
checkVerified Buyer
Buying this was a mistake. The hardware fell apart in less than two months, and now I have an unusable strap with busted hardware.
mi3k
9
May 21, 2018
Thanks for your response, I appreciate the effort to make things right.
To clarify, the component that failed was not the buckle (which, by all counts, does appear to have held up wonderfully), but the apple watch adapter. The screws seemed to always come loose even if they were re-tightened. Upon reading reviews for many adapter similar designs, it seems like there are others who have experienced similar issues.
I personally purchased a springbar-styled adapter from another vendor after the ones that came with my Da Luca strap failed, and I'm hoping that I can get back to using the strap shortly.
That being said, it would've been great if it hadn't failed on me. I understand that QC issues happen, and that the adapter isn't a component that a small shop like Da Luca independently manufactures, but I was still feeling pretty burned when the thing fell apart on me.
To clarify, the component that failed was not the buckle (which, by all counts, does appear to have held up wonderfully), but the apple watch adapter. The screws seemed to always come loose even if they were re-tightened. Upon reading reviews for many adapter similar designs, it seems like there are others who have experienced similar issues.
I personally purchased a springbar-styled adapter from another vendor after the ones that came with my Da Luca strap failed, and I'm hoping that I can get back to using the strap shortly.
That being said, it would've been great if it hadn't failed on me. I understand that QC issues happen, and that the adapter isn't a component that a small shop like Da Luca independently manufactures, but I was still feeling pretty burned when the thing fell apart on me.
DA-LUCA
331
Da Luca
May 21, 2018
mi3kWe can gladly send out a new adapter (free of charge) to you. Please email us and we will be glad to help you out. Thank you for letting us know. Info@DaLucaStraps.com
We would also encourage you to not let a low priced adapter set dictate your feedback on a handmade shell cordovan watch strap as that might keep some people from trying one of our handmade watch straps since the feedback sounds solely geared towards the adapter set vs the actual watch band. If there is an issue with the watch strap and we can fix it, then it would be our pleasure. Thank you very much as we greatly appreciate your support and order.
We would also encourage you to not let a low priced adapter set dictate your feedback on a handmade shell cordovan watch strap as that might keep some people from trying one of our handmade watch straps since the feedback sounds solely geared towards the adapter set vs the actual watch band. If there is an issue with the watch strap and we can fix it, then it would be our pleasure. Thank you very much as we greatly appreciate your support and order.
nafs_asp
86
May 20, 2018
checkVerified Buyer
I think a lot of the other reviewers leaving low scores aren't familiar with shell cordovan or were expecting a lined strap. Those that got the earlier drops of this strap with full stitching are right to leave bad reviews, the stitching is very sloppy. However, the version they're offering now without the stitching is a nice strap for the price. I've looked around and the only shell cordovan straps you can pick up on Etsy around this price come from overseas (not knocking those by any means, but shipping and customs can be very slow from some countries). I'll probably pick one up in black for another watch.
This is my strap in navy. It's developed a nice shine and goes really well with my SARW011.
This is my strap in navy. It's developed a nice shine and goes really well with my SARW011.
brainwave
704
May 21, 2018
nafs_aspVery nice looking on blue strap! Love this Seiko, one of my favorites also with glorious white enamel dial.
SomeoneElseIsHere
12
May 17, 2018
checkVerified Buyer
Commandé 3 bracelets Da Luca
En synthèse : qualité médiocre . Si le cuir semble beau, bien que très (trop) fin, la finition est inexistante, les coutures irrégulières et le point d'arrêt très grossier, la découpe est ratée ... bref, grosse déception !
Après avoir joint Da Luca, la communication est bonne, une reprise est envisagée, mais au vue des frais de port retour (France => US), j'ai laissé tomber.
J'en suis revenu à mes habitudes : Toshi Strap, Xamlam Strap & Corrigia. Pour à peine plus cher, qualité au rdv, jamais la moindre déception.
En synthèse : qualité médiocre . Si le cuir semble beau, bien que très (trop) fin, la finition est inexistante, les coutures irrégulières et le point d'arrêt très grossier, la découpe est ratée ... bref, grosse déception !
Après avoir joint Da Luca, la communication est bonne, une reprise est envisagée, mais au vue des frais de port retour (France => US), j'ai laissé tomber.
J'en suis revenu à mes habitudes : Toshi Strap, Xamlam Strap & Corrigia. Pour à peine plus cher, qualité au rdv, jamais la moindre déception.
DA-LUCA
331
Da Luca
May 21, 2018
SomeoneElseIsHereWe have previously talked about a few early batches of straps that we had some issues with and the problems have since been fixed. Those batches included full stitching (stitching that goes down the strap on one side and back up the other side) which we have not produced in a long time. While we agree there were issues with these batches, we have since not had any issues with the minimal top stitching in a matching color version, which is the current strap for our drops.
We have also tried to make it clear that Shell Cordovan is a thinner leather in general with most of it being under 2mm in thickness. Occasionally some gets a tad over 2mm, but it is not guaranteed. This leather is also some of the finest money can buy, as it takes over 6 months to tan. We handcraft very minimal straps that are left raw on purpose so they will age beautifully over time. As always with our products, we back them 100% if you have any manufacturing defects or issues. If you have received a strap that has an issue we can fix we always encourage you to get in touch with us as there is no way we can help you if we do not know there is a problem.
Info@DaLucaStraps.com
We have also tried to make it clear that Shell Cordovan is a thinner leather in general with most of it being under 2mm in thickness. Occasionally some gets a tad over 2mm, but it is not guaranteed. This leather is also some of the finest money can buy, as it takes over 6 months to tan. We handcraft very minimal straps that are left raw on purpose so they will age beautifully over time. As always with our products, we back them 100% if you have any manufacturing defects or issues. If you have received a strap that has an issue we can fix we always encourage you to get in touch with us as there is no way we can help you if we do not know there is a problem.
Info@DaLucaStraps.com
swiftsword69
146
May 17, 2018
checkVerified Buyer
Looks ugly and cheap. It looks like a wife beater strap, far removed from any elegance. Regretted the purchase. Should have gotten the stock apple leather strap. Will never buy from this company again.
swiftsword69
146
May 22, 2018
I have always appreciate when the vendor takes the time to review the feedback from the community and also as a way to address the impact the negative reviews has had on this current drop - only 2 purchased and 2 committed after 2 days of listing.
With all due respect, all your justification seem to suggest everyone who had previously joined the drop had "cheapen out" and had too high of expectations. We have NOT, to give everyone reading this a better idea, I paid $64.99 for the strap, $15 for the apple watch converter and $9 for the leather conditioner. All up in total including shipping is just under $100. $100 is a fair amount to pay for this, you can get good quality made in and from European leather between $50-$80 price range. I expected a semi decent strap, particularly when DA Luca claim this strap retails alone for $150, unless this is just mark up advertising as a selling strategy. 3rd party straps even premium ones tend to fall into 3 price categories, $20-$30 for entry, $50-70 for mid tier, anywhere between $80-150 for top grade comparable to the factory stock from premium watch maker (think JLC).
The poor cutting of the leather is just plainly poor finish, there is no way around it. I can get a $20 strap that may not be made of cordovan but will be finished to a higher standard. Cordovan is a fine leather no doubt - then why cant you pay the animal the respect of using it's leather to build into a better finished product rather than wasting a fine piece of leather. There was even finger marks on the buckle which suggest there was no QA process in the manufacturing or they didn't even bother to clean or polish the strap and do a final check of the strap before shipping. I call that a rushed, careless job then cutting corners in the final finishing department (if one exist at all).
You can bulk buy in mass qty-1000, the apple watch converter for $1.50 /each so that's a 1000% mark up and the feedback you provided to another fellow buyer in the community suggesting that he had too high expectations for a "cheap" adaptor does not hold a candle. $15 is not cheap for this adaptor unless you go by with the mentality that anything apple charges is absolutely reasonable. Even in that case, apple gets away with it only because it is apple.
The marketing pictures in the listing didn't highlight the issues here and the video suggesting the "passion" DA Luca puts into their product tells a different story to the product the community has received here. It is all good marketing but did not deliver in the final product.
With all due respect, all your justification seem to suggest everyone who had previously joined the drop had "cheapen out" and had too high of expectations. We have NOT, to give everyone reading this a better idea, I paid $64.99 for the strap, $15 for the apple watch converter and $9 for the leather conditioner. All up in total including shipping is just under $100. $100 is a fair amount to pay for this, you can get good quality made in and from European leather between $50-$80 price range. I expected a semi decent strap, particularly when DA Luca claim this strap retails alone for $150, unless this is just mark up advertising as a selling strategy. 3rd party straps even premium ones tend to fall into 3 price categories, $20-$30 for entry, $50-70 for mid tier, anywhere between $80-150 for top grade comparable to the factory stock from premium watch maker (think JLC).
The poor cutting of the leather is just plainly poor finish, there is no way around it. I can get a $20 strap that may not be made of cordovan but will be finished to a higher standard. Cordovan is a fine leather no doubt - then why cant you pay the animal the respect of using it's leather to build into a better finished product rather than wasting a fine piece of leather. There was even finger marks on the buckle which suggest there was no QA process in the manufacturing or they didn't even bother to clean or polish the strap and do a final check of the strap before shipping. I call that a rushed, careless job then cutting corners in the final finishing department (if one exist at all).
You can bulk buy in mass qty-1000, the apple watch converter for $1.50 /each so that's a 1000% mark up and the feedback you provided to another fellow buyer in the community suggesting that he had too high expectations for a "cheap" adaptor does not hold a candle. $15 is not cheap for this adaptor unless you go by with the mentality that anything apple charges is absolutely reasonable. Even in that case, apple gets away with it only because it is apple.
The marketing pictures in the listing didn't highlight the issues here and the video suggesting the "passion" DA Luca puts into their product tells a different story to the product the community has received here. It is all good marketing but did not deliver in the final product.
DA-LUCA
331
Da Luca
May 22, 2018
swiftsword69Thank you for your detailed feedback, we will use this to further improve our process.
Did you receive a full stitched strap in one of the initial batches?
Did you receive a full stitched strap in one of the initial batches?
Zeroblade
25
May 16, 2018
checkVerified Buyer
Got a 20mm in navy with the intent of using it on my nicer pieces but the workmanship was very shoddy. Maybe they rushed the heck out of these to fulfill the Massdrop order? I don't know. But the edges were all raw/unburnished, the stitching imprecise, the cutting honestly quite horrendous (see picture), and the leather itself was unacceptably thin. Heck, I'd rather have just paid another $40 to get Nomos's stock shell cordovan straps, since those are at least decent. I honestly cannot recommend it to anyone.
DA-LUCA
331
Da Luca
May 21, 2018
ZerobladeWe have previously talked about a few early batches of straps that we had some issues with and the problems have since been fixed. Those batches included full stitching (stitching that goes down the strap on one side and back up the other side) which we have not produced in a long time. While we agree there were issues with these batches, we have since not had any issues with the minimal top stitching in a matching color version, which is the current strap for our drops.
We have also tried to make it clear that Shell Cordovan is a thinner leather in general with most of it being under 2mm in thickness. Occasionally some gets a tad over 2mm, but it is not guaranteed. This leather is also some of the finest money can buy, as it takes over 6 months to tan. We handcraft very minimal straps that are left raw on purpose so they will age beautifully over time. As always with our products, we back them 100% if you have any manufacturing defects or issues. If you have received a strap that has an issue we can fix we always encourage you to get in touch with us as there is no way we can help you if we do not know there is a problem.
Info@DaLucaStraps.com
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