Paul Twice Hunting Grey Suede Watch Strap
February 21, 2020
One of my all-time favorite most comfortable things to wear from fall to spring is fleece. A supremely comfortable and inviting fabric that moves with you while giving a very respectable amount of country casualness without sacrificing strength or usefulness. Images of walking in the woods with a thick red and black checker jacket and blue jeans carrying an ax to gather firewood immediately jump to the forefront when I think of fleece. Christmas time, and sitting by the fire (with the wood you just chopped and absolutely did not buy at the grocery store) and enjoying some hot chocolate with a sense of serenity all around are at the very core of what fleece promises to deliver. If my soul was a fabric, it would be fleece.
If fleece had a leather equivalent, it would no doubt be suede. The natural texture that responds to your touch both tactically and visually never fails to please. It has a slightly raw unfinished look that keeps you one step closer to nature and that laid back feel that fleece and a warm fire can give you. The two owners of Paul Twice Watch straps (shrewd readers may have guessed that both of them are named Paul) obviously understand this earthy nature of suede and have done a darn fine job at creating a watch strap that is a pleasure to wear.
A bit about Paul Twice. I am asked by an increasing number of strap manufacturers to review their products. I am always humbled to be given a chance to put my words and critical eye on the handiwork of leather artisans. Paul made such an offer to me and I immediately took to their webpage to see what these two gentlemen were all about. The reason being is if I am going to recommend anybody they must first have a decent webpage that is easy to use and navigate with good pictures and clear and informative descriptions for any buyers who I may direct to the site. It is an online marketplace and I feel this is mandatory. The online world of watch straps ranges from etsy crafty things that I would not trust to wedge a door open to hyper exotic animal skins that cost as much my first car. Paul Twice has a startup story that is very similar to others. Watch fans that were tired of what was available so they decided to make their own. It is a romantic tale as old as watches and has launched many a horological dreams including Paul Twice. However, these two like named friends did not just turn out more mediocre straps fighting over the crowded entry level leather strap field. They had something enticing to offer.
Utilizing the skills of craftsman in Germany and Poland was the first clue they were not going to settle for anything run of the mill. The greatest artist, though, cannot thrive without the right media with which to create. The Paul’s sourced not just quality leather, but bought raw material from established leather giants like Horween out of Chicago (whose praise I have sung with great enthusiasm), and a few tanneries located in the Tuscany region of Italy. All the pieces were set for another potential great supplier of wonderful watchstraps. Color me intrigued.
I asked to review a suede strap and they graciously sent me one in. Before my thoughts go any further, here is how Paul and Paul describe the Hunting Grey Suede Watch strap:
A huntsman needs kit that’s fit for the challenges of daily life. The Svelte rises to the occasion. Classy and refined without the flashiness, it’s a subtle yet sophisticated fashion accessory all at once.
Handmade from soft grey suede and lined with vegetable-tanned calf leather, this classic tapered watch strap combines comfort and durability. Built for adventure, it’s a handsome addition to almost any watch face.
DIMENSIONS
I was sent the 20mm version of the Hunting Grey Suede strap, so all my dimensions are based on that size (but is also available in 18mm and 22mm should that suit your needs). My strap came in very close to the stated dimensions on the website in very upscale and welcoming packaging. Listed at 115mm/75mm for the free and buckle end respectively, mine came in within a millimeter of both of those. On my 7” wrist, I am on the third to the last adjustment hole (out of 7) for that perfect comfortable fit while wearing a 38mm diameter field watch.
The strap has a very crowd pleasing universal taper of 20mm at the lugs to 18mm at the free and buckle end, which is executed in a very gradual manner. Combine this with a nearly ideal 2.3mm thickness along its entire length and you have a strap that easily be worn on most watches with absolute comfort.
DESIGN
This watch strap falls into the category of a simple thing done very well. I use that term sparingly as is it quite difficult to achieve. The primary thing that sets this strap apart is the material. The goat suede will catch your attention and never let it go. Why goat suede? In general, suede made from goat is softer and tougher than cow leather. It is notably lightweight, comfortable, supple, flexible and somewhat water resistant. Upon initial inspection with this particular strap, you will catch yourself rubbing the material between your fingers and admiring the way the suede reacts to the touch visually and texturally.
That textural quality is further enjoyed due to the 2.3mm thickness of this two layer strap. Strap thickness is always a balancing act. Thick straps provide durability but can come at the cost of flexibility. Thin straps flex more readily, but often at the expense of durability and scale. Staying close to the 2.5-3.5mm sweet spot allows a strap to be used on a great many watches in terms of size and thickness. While this strap is a tad beneath that, the suede gives the surface a sense of depth which handily gives the strap the illusion of looking thicker.
The color of the strap is described as Hunting Grey, but strong hues of brown are apparent. The color is deeply saturated into the material and is dyed very evenly along the whole length. It has a very distinct vintage and earthy tone, which should complement a great many watches. The sides of the strap have a very evenly applied grey sealant, which exactly matches the stitching by the lugs and bracelet. The overall colors work in a very toned down and harmonious way. Some straps elevate the watch by pulling out colors or complimenting the dial. This strap allows the watch to be the star while giving it a strong reliable base to shine.
The goat leather on the outside is present to be seen and enjoyed daily. On the underside, though, a fine calfskin is used to provide comfort and durability against the skin. This smooth leather is finished to a high shine and has the Paul Twice logo proudly embossed on it.
KEEPER AND BUCKLE
The Paul Twice Hunting Grey Strap has a two keeper system in the familiar one floating, one fixed configuration. The keepers are made of the same leather as the strap and with the sides equally well sealed. The keepers are sized appropriately and allow for ease of use while securely staying put where you set them.
The buckle appears to be a simple stamped affair. It is unobtrusive and aside from some light horizontal brushing on all outside surfaces, it is fairly standard. The clasp does have a nice Paul Twice logo on the inside out of sight. I tend to like logos that are done discretely but not at the expense of not being seen at all. I would have preferred to have it on the outside to be enjoyed. However, I do sympathize with the decision to leave it unseen, as either option has pros and cons.
HOW DOES IT WEAR
This strap does a great impression of fleece. Not so much in warmth but definitely in terms of comfort. The goat skin moves with you and conforms to your skin. It is as comfortable as leather gets. The outside is a never-ending feast for your fingers and eyes, while the inside is silky smooth against the skin. I have enjoyed wearing this strap all day for well over a week. It has not garnered any damage from repeated pulls through the buckle and the water and dirt from the garden seem to brush off without any degradation I can tell. The way it feeds through the buckle and keepers makes this a pleasure to put on and take off at the beginning and end of the day.
WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR
The amount of watches this strap can work with is nearly endless. It is neutral to the point of being universal. Suede offers a wonderful texture that allows crisp dials to pop in brilliant contrast to the earthy tones and texture of the leather. I like this strap on nearly any field watch. It also can look brilliant on a vintage watch or any watch with a detailed dial. I would try to keep it on watches under 15mm in thickness to avoid being overpowered by the case. This is a not a rule set in stone, as factors such as the location of the lug holes will drastically effect the look of the watch / strap pairing.
Despite the slight water resistance goat suede provides, let us keep this strap away from pools but light rain and mild hand washing I would not be too worried. With that in mind desk divers step right up. While a leather strap is great on a dress watch, suede tends to gravitate toward the casual side of the spectrum. If you cannot picture a fleece business suit then you get my drift. I would probably not put this on a dress watch were the suede tends to clash not only with the watch, but with the clothes worn to dressier events.
WHERE CAN I GET IT
Best and only place I know you can get a Paul Twice is from the two Pauls themselves.
SUMMARY
The casual cool of fleece is comfort personified. This strap has a very similar laid back comfortable feel. I am happy to say that with the discovery of Paul Twice, strap shoppers have another vendor that has brilliantly combined materials and craftsmanship into a series of straps that drop right into the rest of the heavy hitters on the internet. They also work with Cordovan and Horween leather as well, and if this strap is a litmus test, they should be outstanding as well.