An afternoon with Barton Watch Bands

This has been a month of firsts for me. I just finished my first watch review, and also just had my first interview and vendor visit! Never hurts to try new things and learn new things along the way.

Since I started this website I have had the pleasure of meeting so many wonderful people. I think that is the really special part of this or any hobby. The people you meet, the relationships you form, and the education you obtain along the way that keep the fire burning brighter with every encounter.

I recently had the great pleasure of a day trip to Austin, Texas which besides being a musical mecca and the capital of the Lone Star State, it is also the home of Barton Watch Bands.  I ordered my first strap from Barton, and that quickly led me to my second and third respectively.  They were one of the very first straps I reviewed and will always hold a special place in my horological journey.  I have purchased about a dozen of Barton’s Bands and if there is one thing I associate with Barton that I have tried to convey it is that they consistently deliver value for the dollar with well thought out designs that are well made at an incredibly reasonable price.

I had no idea what to expect. I am no journalist, and my little website hardly gives me any credibility, yet they welcomed me into the business with open arms and treated me like I was from a credible newspaper or magazine.  They are even more friendly in person than they are on the phone.  I met the whole team that was working that day, Scott, Zach, Clay and Liz.  All busy and working moving product and inspecting orders for accuracy and quality as I entered the door. 

I was greeted by Hank the dog.  And his happy face and wagging tail and warm expression were a welcome site after a 3 hour drive.  The rest of the visit was equally as warm and welcoming as they answered every question I had.   Here is a bit of how it went with questions and my summary of the answers I received:

Strapsense: What made you get into producing watch straps?

Scott said he was really into watch straps even before he was into watches. Early on he had ideas for watch straps that would highlight the watch they were on, as most of the time people notice the strap even before the watch.  He started the business to take advantage of the incredible options changing the watch strap does for not only the watch, but the whole outfit for that day.  Scott recognized that the ability to change the strap was not enough, he recognized that you needed the ability to change the strap quickly and without the need to gather tools.  Since the beginning every Barton Bands Strap comes with a quick release spring bars, and while they may not have invented it, they are a driving force behind more strap vendors using them.

Strapsense: What can you tell my readers about Barton Bands that they may not know from reading your website?

Scott said he really wants people to know about the option to custom pick the buckle color/finish at the time of checkout.  They provide the option but folks still seem to forget about it. They do the swapping out in the store before they ship and ensure it is done to your specifications.   Also, while they are not a completely custom strap shop, where you can request any thread color or stitching pattern you want Barton is very open to reasonable requests as they feel customer service is a cornerstone of their business.

Strapsense: Where do you see Barton Watch Bands in 5 years?

Barton Watch Bands will be expanding soon into a newer and larger facilities. They hope to keep releasing one or two new product lines per year as well as expanding their current product lines to fill in holes where the market takes the watch industry. Barton wants to include more watch related content articles as well, moving into a realm where it is more than just a place to buy straps, but a place to enjoy watches, straps and local culture as well.

Scott mentions that he also wants to do more with education as a non-insignificant portion of the watch world still does not know how to change a strap. He wants to do more to inform and educate these folks on the ease of the whole Barton Line up as the trend for quick change straps is bound to grow more in the future.

Strapsense: I review all kinds of straps from entry level to luxury straps. Is Barton planning on moving into the luxury strap game? 

This is not in the near future for Barton. They are more centered around providing fun, easily affordable straps which offer high quality and value for the dollar.  They see the progression into the future including more strap styles (tapering options), different buckles (deployant was mentioned) and an ever increasing amount of options in colors and styles of their current linup.

Strapsense: Where do you get the ideas for your new products?

Scott told me with no uncertain terms that the number one place Barton gets its ideas for new products is from his customers.  People write in asking for a change or product request and they do something many vendors do not, ‘they listen’.  If only a handful of people come in with a complaint or a request, the conversation in the Barton Office starts that instant.  Customer feedback has led them to a great many updates in the product line up.

As I listened to Scott, Zach, Clay and Liz talk and work (I was interrupting their most busy day) I could feel a real family spirit in the office. They worked well together and with the quantity of straps they move, I think you must. But overall the smiles and laughter in the office left me feeling very happy to have made the drive to Austin and talk with these great people.  Strapsense is just something I do as a hobby, but meeting the people behind the products is so enjoyable, I would like to do more of it. I asked Scott if he could give one message to all my readers about Barton Watch Bands, what would it be? 

This is his reply:

“Barton Watch Bands is dedicated to the customer experience.  From service when you order, to answering the phone when you call, they are here to help the customer make a good strap purchase for his or her watch”.  

After spending the day with them, I can totally believe it. I brought 3 watches with me and they helped me pick out colors and strap options I may not have.  Most of all, they made it enjoyable and fun as their passion for the business and watches shines.