Fluco Hunter Racing Tobacco
March 28, 2018
Have you ever gone up to a vending machine and dropped your money in and contemplated what horribly unhealthy but tasty treat you would like to calm your 2pm hunger pains? Then, having finally arrived at a decision you make your sucrose selection and much to your amazement two drop out instead of one. This is one of those moments where the elation you feel is totally disproportionate to the amount of actual monetary value of the items you have been granted (or fate has deemed you worthy to receive, if that is your thing) . This is exactly how I feel about the Fluco Hunter Racing Tobacco strap I just received from Holbensfinewatchbands.com. I ordered this strap because I want to experiment with different straps for my First Omega In Space, as a Speedmaster is a natural for a rally style strap. So, when it came time to try, I wanted to look for a strap from a brand that I had not reviewed before. Enter the Germany based company, Fluco (established in 1952). It is a company I have heard of before, but for whatever reason, I never gave it a try, until now. With this strap I found a somewhat hidden gem that gives me the same 2 for 1 elation that you get from winning the vending machine lottery.
At this point I normally enter some words from the vendor to allow them to talk glowingly about their product, but this time I really could not find much from Fluco themselves. so instead I will use some of the descriptors I found for this watch strap from around the net:
This shrunken cowhide leather strap is manufactured by Fluco, a German company founded in 1952. Using a meticulous fifty-step process, Fluco produces beautiful leather watch accessories from its workshop in the Bavarian forest town of Furth im Wald. Tonal gradations and rugged contrast stitching create the rustic effect of the Hunter Racing model. With its Rally-style perforated pinhole design, Fluco’s Hunter is ideal for sports, pilot/aviator or chronograph watches.
That will do.. On to the review.
DIMENSIONS
The Fluco Hunter Racing Tobacco I ordered was 19mm. All dimensions listed are particular to that model and size, but it should be noted that 18mm, 20mm, and 22mm are available. The length of the strap is 120mm at the free end and 80mm at the buckle end like many other straps. On my 6.75” wrist I am on the very last adjustment hole for that perfect fit being described as not too lose and not too tight. At the lugs it was advertised 19mm, tapering down to 16 mm at the buckle and free end. However, my particular strap came in a bit shy on the free end side of the strap. My free end at the lugs was 17.9mm and tapered down to 15.7mm. On the buckle end it was as advertised. The strap is a uniform thickness of 3.65mm continuously down this entire length. The drastic taper of this strap makes it very elegant and I think matches the pseudo dressy nature of my watch. It is also very comfortable and has a vintage feel to it. Smaller wristed folks should be a bit careful though as it may not offer enough adjustment for you depending on the watch you put it on.
UPDATE: At the time of writing this, I had already contacted www.holbensfinewatchbands.com about the thin, out of spec nature of this strap. They replied within 24 hours to my issue and they very politely and promptly offered to send me another replacement strap and a prepaid envelope to return my other strap immediately. It is one thing to offer high quality products, but Holbens also offers extremely high quality customer service. Tip of the hat to Holbens.
DESIGN
Before I get too far into the design of this particular strap I want to talk about the material it is made out of. Fluco lists this strap to be made from ‘shrunken cowhide leather’. Most people do know that quality leather and water to not normally make good companions. Pourous leather absorbs the moisture and when it drys it can dramatically change shape and texture. When leather shrinks, it tends to swell a bit meaning the final product is usually thicker than the original. Using shrunken leather has its advantages though. Once the shrinking process is done it is extremely dimensionally stable. Also, shrunken leather has enhanced and enlarged grain character which adds unique look and feel to the design. Like other vintage styled rally straps, this one has a series of holes on both sides as its major style cue. They are perfectly placed and evenly spaced to fill the strap without looking too busy. The origins of the holes is not definite, but from what I have read it is a styling cue taken from the holes in performance cars of the day (for use in lightening parts or in the design of a MOMO steering wheel for example), as well as giving the wrist some more air so it can breathe while the driver is really working the car around some twisty bits of road. Whichever you choose to believe, it is a great looking vintage strap with connections to a bygone era of very analog and mechanical cars. The connections/similarities to mechanical watches is almost too perfect.
The Fluco Hunter Racing Tobacco has a wonderful feel to it. The dual layer leather feels very organic and the pores and wrinkles in the hide are extremely evident visually and to the touch. The edges of the strap are sealed black, and while giving the strap more durability, the black color compliments the darker shades of some watches nicely. I think edge coloring/sealing is a design cue not nearly utilized enough. Well done Fluco. The stitching is minimal like we have seen on many straps called vintage. It has two stitches up near the lugs and a few stitches near the free end and the buckle as well. Just enough to get the job done. I would classify the threading as a more light brown or gold than any of the 4000 shades of white that exist. In terms of flexibility, this strap rivals far more expensive straps. It conforms to your wrist like a second skin and puts up absolutely no resistance to the touch. Words such as supple or soft come to mind immediately when you first pick it up. The back side of the strap is very raw and minimally finished. There is no doubt you are looking at the underside of an animal hide with just enough finishing to make it very comfortable against the skin. Fluco only uses allergy free dyes and processes so the comfort is not just superficial. If you look carefully on the underside you can read the stamping “Hergestellt in Deutschland” or Made in Germany. I enjoy seeing such things as it is a nod to accountability and craftsmanship. I think I need a couple of these straps for my German Watches.
KEEPER AND BUCKLE
This strap uses the dual keeper design most other watch straps use. One keeper is bound, and the other is free floating. The Keepers have the same beautiful brown hue as the strap as well as the same black side sealant applied as the rest of the strap. This is the first time I have seen the keepers get the same sealing treatment as the strap, so I award Fluco a point for paying attention to the smallest detail. The stainless steel buckle is polished and is very minimal. It is neatly done with good clean edges with no markings or embossing to speak of. The buckle is thin and fits the overall elegance of the strap.
HOW DOES IT WEAR
This strap is so pliable and adaptable it wants to be worn on your wrist. It conforms without any sign of stiff leg syndrome to speak of. If you recall from my earlier reviews stiff leg syndrome is the tendency for a strap to be so stiff that is resists bending to the point where it will hold the watch case off your wrist with stiff portions of the strap that act like legs. This strap fits your wrist and conforms to you like a 30 year old leather backpack conforms to your back. It is soft and broken in but still dead reliable and ready for adventure. The feel of the leather is earthy and smooth. It even has the smell of old leather and if it scent could tell a story it would be one with a Temple of Doom in it. I really like how the Fluco compliments my speedy. The watch is held at that perfect fitment for my wrist. The case stays put pretty much where you want it. If I had to nitpick, I really wish it had one more hole for adjustment since leather does stretch a bit over time.
WHAT IS THIS STRAP GOOD FOR
This rally strap like any rally strap is sort of earmarked for motorsports style watches. I could easily see this on a nice vintage speedy or just about any TAG Heuer in existence (looking at you Monaco). Yet with its high taper in the design I think it would be well served on a dressier piece or a vintage piece as well since the feel of the leather is so luxurious and soft. The simple two stitch design lends itself to almost anything, but I think the multiple holes will keep it leaning toward the sporty side of wrist watches. There is no hard set rule mind you, but I am just making my observations. I need a 20mm version of this to try on a myriad of watches. Yes, I will be ordering another soon.
WHERE CAN I GET IT
This Fluco Hunter Racing Tobacco can be purchased at several places but I recommend
Holbens Fine Watch Bands as your first stop.
http://www.holbensfinewatchbands.com/fluco-hunter-racing-tobacco-brown/
And naturally Good ole Amazon sell them:
At the time of writing this the price for the Fluco Hunter racing was 39.95. I cannot tell you the value this represents. The flexible and rich texture in the leather will more than validate the purchase before you even get it on your watch. I will be buying a few more to try on my Sinn and see how the more expensive versions of their straps wear. Fluco may have not been on your radar yet, lost in the myriad of straps around the internet, but I strongly suggest you give them a try. You may have just found your new favorite strap.
