Meyhofer Oldenburg Watch Strap
August 30, 2018
Meyhofer Oldenburg Watch Strap
Sometimes you have to spend days or weeks searching for the perfect watch strap. Other times they seem to fall into your lap from the strap Gods from heaven above. I found this next watch strap by pure chance. A member of a well-established watch group on face book offered it casually for sale. I was not even looking for a strap and decided to give it a try. The German construction and unique look appealed to me. I had never even heard of Mayhofer before but taking chances is what this watch strap game is all about.
A few weeks later and an envelope showed up and I was pleased with what I saw. Before me was not some kind of rare hand worked leather strap, but rather a cloth covered synthetic strap with loads and loads of character. I started to do some research, and quite honestly found very little on the Mayhofer brand or its history. I know it is of European decent and judging by the text used, I presumed it had to be German (it was). Which is fine as I have a few German watches, and of course my newly reacquired Hamilton Khaki 38mm (aka strap mega monster) which to try it out on.
Before I start a review, I try to find a place that carries the strap. It took an hour or two of searching to find a place that sold this particular strap. The previous owner did not pass on any information about this strap when he sold it, so I felt the need to find it and learn more for this review. Finally I was able to find a place that sold it. I usually put the link to the place of origin of the strap at the bottom of the review, but my elation of finding it urges me to put it here right now as well:
https://www.uhrenarmband-versand.de/Uhrenbandversand-p30022h596s2184-Uhrenarmband-Oldenbu.html
Without confirming any details, I feel compelled to put every single shred of description from the sole vendor selling this strap I can find below. This will be the vendors description of the strap I usually add to all my reviews:
Watch strap “Oldenburg”
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Model No.:MyHeK-KB17
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Manufacturer/Brand:MEYHOFER quality strap from the “Individual Collection”
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Suitable for:Watches with standard lug ends
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Material:High quality synthetic material in textile look uppers; Underside leather
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Manufacturing process:Remborded
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Colour of strap:Grey
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Strap stitching:Black and red coloured contrast, asymmetric double stitching
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Strap design:Sporty
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Lug width:20 mm
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Total length without buckle: 20,5 cm
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Piece with holes: 12,5 cm
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Buckle piece: 8 cm
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Thickness of strap: 4 mm, robust
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Buckle:Solid buckle made of stainless steel
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Buckle pin: 4 mm
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Width of buckle:20 mm
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Strap taper:Strap is uniflow, no taper
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Distinctive features:Surface UV-Resistant (DIN 54004), mould resistant, antibacterial, water resistant, easy to clean, high abrasion resistance, flame retardant
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Other info:Surface material has a silverguard-protection, which contains silver molecules which fight against discolouration, bacteria and smells in an environmentally friendly and reliable way
I have never heard a watch strap being described as flame retardant, but I suppose that could come in useful in some obscure overly complicated James Bond escape scenario. So what this strap really needs is a good honest review and so that is what I will endeavor to do. The official strapsense review is below. Enjoy.
DIMENSIONS
I bought the 20mm version of the strap from a wonderful chap online. So all my dimensions are for a 20mm strap only. This particular model is also available in a 22mm for those interested. My strap came in at 20.3mm along its width from spring bar to buckle. No taper is found on this strap in either width or thickness as it measures an even 4mm along its entire length as well. The free end comes in at 120mm in length and the buckle end is 75mm. On my 6.75” wrist, this strap makes me use the 2nd to last adjustment hole for the perfect not too lose and not too tight fit.
DESIGN
I have reviewed many straps on strapsense, but this one stands out a something very unique. It is a strap dominated by the pattern on the strap cover and its unusual construction. First let’s talk about the cover of this strap that for a minute because that is what you will mainly see. This is very geometric gridded silver and black cloth cover that if I am honest reminds me of the lining inside a nice wallet. It has a coarse texture but is in no way irritating. This cloth completely surrounds the sides of the strap and the spring bar ends as well. The only break from this patterned cloth cover is the leather backing on the underside of the strap that holds all the wrapped ends together securely. This was executed quite competently as through many days on the wrist and getting wet the strap so no signs of degradation I can detect.
The next interesting thing about this watch that lies beneath its textile cover is its construction. This watch does not follow any standard construction model that I have seen. This is not a vintage whip stitched piece of leather, or aviation themed dual layer strap with contrasting white stitches, or field tough canvas. This strap starts with a synthetic core. The description of the strap given does not go into any more detail than that, but I can tell you it has some give and compliance when you squeeze it. I would equate it to a soft eraser in terms of hardness and feel. It is not a natural material, which means it is manmade and will probably have a great deal of resistance to Mother Nature, which is a handy skill set for a watch strap to have. Over the synthetic core is this cloth cover mentioned previously that wraps around on all sides and is held tight by a thin leather strip on the bottom where the strap touches your skin. To give the strap some pop, the designer added some nice black and red offset stitching on the strap that makes this a decidedly modern looking (dare I say high tech) aesthetic.
If you turn the watch over you notice the black leather backing that is neat and tidy and fit extremely well. It is neither smooth nor coarse, and has a very matt sheen to it. Stamped into the strap is Mayhofer on the buckle side and two German words on the free end that are too hard to make out on my particular model.
KEEPER AND BUCKLE
The Meyhofer Oldenburg watch strap uses the standard two keeper layout with one being fixed and the other floating. They are made of the same fabric as the cover of the strap and are very compliant and quite nice to use. The buckle is brushed stainless steel that is made very flat and smooth. The tang of the buckle is wide and flat versus a pin on most straps and easily feeds through the cut square holes in the free end with absolute ease. Everything about this strap is planned and purposeful. What it lacks in natural organic elegance of leather straps, it makes up for in technical precision and manufacture.
HOW DOES IT WEAR
This was the most shocking part about this. I had no comparison base with which to measure this strap against. This is my first all synthetic strap and I had to reset my brain to see what it had to offer. First and foremost, it is compliant as a nice rubber strap would be on a dive watch. It does not ever fight you when you first put it on and thread it through the buckle and into the keepers. It hugs the wrist comfortably as the soft nature of the synthetic core gives against the skin. I found the square cutouts in the free end close enough to get a nice comfortable setting to enjoy the strap.
The feel of the leather backing is pleasant but it is noticeable. This strap does not vanish on your wrist. You notice it all the time either because of its daring color, or its 4mm thickness along its entire length. Keep in mind that means that where the strap is buckled and held in the keepers it will be 8mm thick. When using a keyboard it is apparent.
As I mentioned before, this strap is 20mm along its entire length. The lack of taper gives this watch a strong presence and the bold design means this strap is always making a visible statement. This is neither good nor bad but depends on your personal tastes and wardrobe.
WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR
I rather enjoyed wearing this strap on a few watches. It was a fun departure from the more pricey natural materials I usually review. This strap made no claims of being hand finished with 86 steps by craftsman over months of time (like Horween leather) but instead stands proud with its engineered materials and precise construction. Most of my collection leans toward classical and vintage feeling pieces or tool watches. I think this strap could work on a very industrial looking watch with a technical edge like Damasko or maybe Sinn. It would look better on a 40mm or larger watch as the non-tapering design is bold and needs a larger watch to handle it. I had it on my 38mm workhorse Hamilton Khaki auto and at times I think the watch struggled to keep up with the strap either because of its field watch nature or its smaller diameter or both. Keep the watch in the 40mm or larger and I think this can be a really fun strap that will make you smile all day.
WHERE CAN I GET IT
This was a challenge! I had to go find a place that actually carried and sold this. It took me a while as doing a search for Meyhofer does not really get you much useful info. However, I did find a vendor in Germany that sells them. If you are interested, have a look here:
https://www.watch-band-center.com/watchstrap-p23797h254s1470-Watch-strap-Oldenbur.html
SUMMARY
This watch strap was a refreshing change of pace for me. I struggled for a while trying to find the perfect watch for it, but then realized I was trying to fit it into a box it did not need to be in. This is not a vintage distressed leather strap and I gravitate to older thing with story. This strap is ready for modern life with its high tech construction and look. I think this strap would be awesome for the modern watch crowd from high tech pieces (yup even G shocks or Casios) to fun colorful watches. Every once in a while it is great step out of your box and try something new. During my search for this strap I even found another stunning strap I had to have. That review is coming! Stay tuned.
