For a very long time, I wanted to add something made of Stingray leather to my collection. After getting my dream Shell Cordovan wallet, the only item left for the stingray hide in my mind was a watch strap.
I had been looking around for shops that could make a bespoke stingray leather strap for my watch. And one day during a random Etsy scroll, I stumbled upon Pham Nam from NimATLeatherhandmade, a seller from Vietnam. Her shop was barely two months old and had just 23 sales.
I checked everything about the seller (Pham Nam) that was available on Etsy. After reading through all the reviews, it became clear that she wasn’t a newcomer to leathercraft. The seller had been making leather goods for years and had only recently started selling on Etsy.
I truly enjoy supporting artisans who may not yet be widely known but absolutely deserve recognition for their work. Although I had no intention of placing an order and was merely scrolling out of curiosity, I didn’t want to let go of the opportunity to have something made by her.
For me, things are never just things. They carry moments and memories right from the very beginning. From the idea, to the making, and eventually to the process of wearing them in. I cherish every stage of owning something that is meaningful to me.
And with that thought, the journey of getting this piece made began.
I placed the order and messaged Pham with the design details and sizing specifications. She replied almost instantly, confirming that the strap would be made exactly as per my requirements.
And now the wait began…
Bespoke pieces from Etsy usually take anywhere between 30 to 45 days, so I was fully prepared for the wait. To my surprise, she shipped the strap in just four days. Even after getting held up in customs for over a week, the order reached me in a total of 20 days.
It came in a yellow envelope that was routed through Singapore, so it had both the seller’s details and a Singapore Post stamp.
Opening something like this, something that has taken a lot of thought and carries meaning is always emotional. It’s a mix of excitement and a quiet fear, what if it doesn’t turn out right? It almost feels like the product itself is your success.
I opened the envelope. Inside was the much awaited strap and a spring bar tool. The watch strap already had quick release spring bars, but Pham was kind enough to include a complimentary spring bar tool as well.
The strap turned out magnificent, far shinier than I had expected. It’s something that simply cannot go unnoticed. I had no idea that stingray leather could reflect light in such a way.
Stingray leather has small, hard, round bumps of calcium deposits all over its skin. It is generally sanded to make the surface smoother, and once sanded, these calcium deposits reflect light and make the leather shinier.
Being a sea creature, stingray leather is naturally resistant to water and is also highly durable. The strap is lined with Zermatt leather, which is renowned for its sweat resisting properties. Together, these materials make an excellent choice for a highly durable watch strap that also looks magnificent. The butterfly clasp that accompanied the strap is also quite good and pairs very well with it.
Despite stingray leather being one of the most difficult leathers to work with, the craftsmanship on the strap is truly commendable. The stitching at the clasp is so perfect that it’s almost impossible to find the seam. The burnishing and lining are also executed perfectly.
The strap complements the black dial beautifully. I’m genuinely happy with how it turned out, and I’m looking forward to all the memories this beautiful strap will gather over time.
