The most detailed published review of 1787 Straps is Balazs Ferenczi’s Fratello review, dated December 11, 2020. It profiles this one-person Icelandic strap maker and five of its reindeer leather designs, with measurements, stitching, colors and prices as reported at the time. This guide walks through what the review establishes, how to read its fit data, and what you should confirm before ordering from the maker today.
Who makes 1787 Straps
1787 Straps is a one-person operation founded by Eiður, whom the review spells “Eidur.” He began making straps in 2017. The straps use reindeer leather on the outside and bull-hide lining on the inside. The review presents comfort, durability and distinctiveness as the maker’s stated aims. Those are the review’s characterizations of the straps, not results from independent wear or durability testing.
The name is tied to history: the review connects it to the year reindeer were brought from Norway to Iceland, a point covered in its own section below.
A third-party directory, Strap Hunter, lists 1787 Straps as offering two-piece reindeer leather straps, custom work and worldwide shipping. The same listing advises readers to confirm current shipping details with the maker.
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- Compatible with most watches with 18mm lugs, please measure your watch before ordering.
- Crafted from high-quality vegan leather, offering the luxurious look and feel of genuine leather without harming animals.
- Water resistant. Soft, breathable lining ensures a comfortable fit for work, workouts, and casual wear.
- Easy Installation – The 2 Quick-Release pins make swapping bands effortless, no tools required.
- Many styles and patterns available, please visit our store.
The five models in the review
The table below puts the reviewed examples side by side. Measurements are the review’s own readings of the specific straps Fratello handled, not guaranteed dimensions for every order. Where the review did not report a value, the cell says so.
| Model | Width (reviewed example) | Thickness (reviewed example) | Stitching | Sides and finish | Customization (per review) | Price in review (Dec 2020) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoorsman | 20mm at both ends (no width taper) | 4.5mm at spring-bar end, 3mm at buckle end | Box stitching on the lower brown part | Painted sides; beeswax included for treatment | Color (green, brown, cognac or black), dimensions, length and stitching | $199, including standard shipping to Germany |
| Burgundy Reindeer | 19mm at the watch, 18mm at the buckle | 3mm | None in the reviewed example | Painted sides | Not stated | $150 |
| Classic Rally Reindeer | 20mm at the watch, 18mm at the buckle | About 4mm | Stitched (stitch detail not stated) | Not stated | Customizable; fitted with a stainless-steel buckle | $230 |
| Brown Classic | Not stated | Not stated | Stitched along the painted sides | Painted sides | Customizable | $220 |
| Cognac Vintage | 18mm at both ends | 2.5mm | Selectable | Not stated | Width, length and stitching selectable | $170 |
Outdoorsman
The Outdoorsman is the most configurable model in the review and the only one that comes with a treatment product. The review says it ships with a small amount of beeswax for conditioning the leather. Its stitching is confined to the lower brown part of the strap, which gives the painted sides a different visual weight from the rest of the strap.
Burgundy Reindeer
The Burgundy Reindeer is the thinnest-looking of the leather-lined options in terms of visual bulk, with a clean finish and no stitching in the reviewed example. Its taper from 19mm at the watch to 18mm at the buckle is the difference a buyer should check against their watch before ordering.
Rank #2
- Italian Calfskin: Toffee Brown, Coffee Brown and Black watch straps are made of Italian calfskin, which is durable and will conform to your wrist with time for superior comfort
- Quick Release Spring Bars: Equipped with quick release spring bars, this soft watch band can be installed and removed without tools, very convenient
- Band Width (Size): Fit for different kinds of watch that uses 18mm, 19mm, 20mm, 21mm and 22mm spring bars, please accurately measure your watch lug width and choose the right size
- Band Length: 75mm and 125mm. Thickness: 3mm. This strap is designed to fit wrists 6" to 8" (15.5cm-20cm), but watch geometry also impacts fit
- BISONSTRAP Service: If there are any question about the strap, please let us know. REFUND or FREE REPLACEMENT, we will try our best to satisfy every customer
Classic Rally Reindeer
The Classic Rally Reindeer is the rally-style design in the group. Its stainless-steel buckle is the hardware detail the review calls out, and its stitching is a deliberate styling element rather than a finishing afterthought.
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Brown Classic
The Brown Classic is a customizable brown leather strap with stitching along its painted sides. The review does not report the width or thickness of the example it handled, so check dimensions directly with the maker before assuming a fit.
Cognac Vintage
The Cognac Vintage is the thinnest strap in the review at 2.5mm, with a cognac color and width, length and stitching selectable by the buyer, according to the review. Its 18mm width at both ends makes it the simplest taper profile in the group.
Rank #3
- 【Premium Material】The watch bands are made of premium calfskin leather with embossed alligator or crocodile styling. High quality leather makes it more durable and comfortable to wear. The strap is arranged with same color stitching, making the strap look very beautiful overall. It can make your watch stand out effortlessly.
- 【Quick-Release Spring Bars 】Easy Installation, Upgraded from traditional pins, The genuine leather band watch straps adopts the quick-release spring bars, just simply slide the spring bars with your finger to change your straps in seconds. An assistant tool also included to help you take off your old watch strap.
- 【Compatible for】The watch strap compatible with most traditional or smart watch and it will fit wrists from about 5.5" to about 8" around. The watch band has multiple colors and multiple size to choose from. The Genuine Leather Band which lug width is standard 12mm, 14mm, 16mm, 17mm, 18mm, 19mm, 20mm, 21mm, 22mm, 23mm, 24mm.
- 【Design Style】The quick release bands watch strap is hand sewn by skilled craftsmen using top layer cowhide. The combination of premium materials and exquisite craftsmanship has created this classic, fashionable, business, and casual leather strap. The strap is arranged with same color stitching, making the strap look very beautiful overall. It can make your watch stand out effortlessly.
- 【Tips】The watch strap packaging includes 1* Quick Release Genuine Leather Band; 1* Assistant tool (To help you take off your old watch strap).
How to read width, taper and thickness
Strap fit depends on the width at the watch end and, where the strap narrows, the width at the buckle. Thickness affects how the strap sits under the case and how it wears on the wrist. Use this sequence before comparing models:
- Measure the distance between the lugs where the strap attaches to the watch. That is the width you need at the watch end.
- Compare that number to the watch-end width in the table. A 20mm lug width matches the Outdoorsman and Classic Rally examples; the Burgundy Reindeer’s watch end is 19mm and needs a 19mm measurement.
- If the model tapers, check the buckle-end width too. The Burgundy Reindeer narrows from 19mm to 18mm, and the Classic Rally from 20mm to 18mm. The Outdoorsman does not narrow in width, but its thickness drops from 4.5mm to 3mm.
- Confirm whether the model you want is offered in the width you measured. Custom options are the review’s account, so verify the available dimensions with the maker before ordering.
Custom orders versus the reviewed examples
Four of the five models were described as customizable, but the review gives different levels of detail for each. For the Outdoorsman, the options are color, dimensions, length and stitching. For the Cognac Vintage, they are width, length and stitching. For the Classic Rally and Brown Classic, the review says they are customizable without listing the full set of choices. If you need a specific width, do not assume the reviewed example’s dimensions are the only ones available; ask the maker what it will build.
The reindeer and the 1787 name
The review ties the brand name to 1787, the year reindeer were brought from Norway to Iceland. It reports that the herd had 35 animals and that they survived in eastern Iceland. Ferenczi’s wording in the review is:
Rank #4
- Band Material: High-quality calfskin with alligator grain embossing, lining with soft genuine leather, breathable and comfortable to wear, solid stainless steel buckle
- Band Design: Adopting a padded style, this strap tapers in thickness from 5mm to 3mm, vivid crocodile pattern, adding character to a watch
- Band Width (Size): Fit for different kinds of watch that uses 18mm, 20mm, 22mm, 24mm spring bars, please accurately measure your watch lug width and choose the right size
- Band Length: 75mm and 125mm. This strap is designed to fit wrists 6" to 8" (15.5cm-20cm), but watch geometry also impacts fit
- Package Included: 1 watch strap + 1 installation tool + 4 spring bars. Any questions about the strap, please contact us. REFUND or FREE REPLACEMENT, we will try our best to satisfy every customer
“The herd had 35 specimens, and they were the only ones to survive the harsh conditions of eastern Iceland.”
That is the review’s account of the herd. It is presented here as the reviewer’s narrative, not as a claim this article has independently confirmed.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Prices and availability
The five prices above are the ones Fratello reported in December 2020. They are not current prices. Current inventory, pricing, shipping options and the official ordering destination for 1787 Straps have not been verified for this article, and no current affiliate or referral program has been confirmed. Before ordering, contact the maker directly and ask for:
Best Value
- SIZE SELECTION: Available in 14mm 15mm 16mm 17mm 18mm 19mm 20mm 21mm 22mm 23mm and 24mm, please accurately measure your watch lug width and choose the right size
- WATCH BAND MATERIAL: Vintage Crazy Horse Leather lined with soft genuine leather, comfortable on your wrist, polished solid stainless steel buckle
- RETRO LOOKING: Natural crack appears when the leather is bent (NOTE: the black strap no crack), elegant and stylish. It's a loud little piece that express your style and personality
- BAND LENGTH: This strap is a regular length, suitable for wrists of 6" to 8", please refer to figure 6 for details
- BISONSTRAP SERVICE：If there are any question about the strap, please email us. REFUND or FREE REPLACEMENT, we will try our best to satisfy every customer
- Current prices for the model and width you need.
- Whether the model is in stock or made to order, and the lead time.
- Shipping costs and destination countries, including your own.
- Confirmation of the width and thickness they will build for your lug size.
Other reindeer leather strap makers
Searches for reindeer leather watch straps also surface Rohje and Finwatch Straps. This article does not review or test either company, and neither should be treated as an equivalent substitute for 1787 Straps. If you are comparing makers, apply the same checks above: lug width, taper, thickness, stitching and current price.
If you need a replacement strap now
If you want a conventional leather strap rather than a custom reindeer leather design, look at generic 20mm leather watch straps, which are a much wider category than this maker. Measure your lug width first and buy to that number. A custom 1787 strap is a different product from a generic replacement, so judge them against their own specifications rather than against each other.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
