About Me
My name is Viktor Kondratenko. I am an independent leather craftsman and founder of V. Kondratenko Studio.
I have been working with leather for more than a decade, with bespoke watch straps becoming an important part of my practice in 2014. Over time, the work expanded into belts, bags, small leather objects and technically complex one-off commissions, including pieces made from alligator, crocodile and other carefully selected leathers.
My work is built around individual commissions rather than fixed templates. Some projects begin with a particular material or idea. Others begin with a practical problem: an unusual watch attachment, an original buckle that requires a precisely fitted belt, or an object whose proportions and construction cannot be resolved with a ready-made solution.
For me, a good object emerges where material, form, construction and purpose are brought into precise alignment. I think not only about how a piece looks when it is finished, but how it fits, how it behaves in use, how it holds its structure and how it continues to live over time.
How It Began
My path into craftsmanship did not begin with a decision to become a maker. It developed gradually. First through an interest in things made by hand and through the craftsmanlike environment that was present around me from childhood. Later, watches became an important part of my life, especially vintage ones. What always drew me in was not only their mechanisms or history, but the way they were perceived as complete objects.
In time, watches led me to straps. Finding a strap that truly suited a particular watch not only in size, but in character, was not easy. At some point, the desire to find a more precise solution became stronger than the willingness to accept what could simply be bought. That is how my own attempts began.
They were far from perfect. As with many people, everything started with mistakes, trials, unsuccessful decisions, and a gradual understanding of the material. But that path became my real school. Over time, the practice grew deeper, the tasks became more complex, and the circle of objects widened. Watch straps were not a random point of entry, but the beginning of a more serious and lasting work with leather.
What Defines My Approach
Over time, I became increasingly certain that a good leather object is defined not only by what is visible at first glance. Beautiful material alone does not make an object convincing. What matters to me no less is construction, proportion, the character of the form, the precision of assembly, and the way the object behaves in real use.
I value quiet precision more than visible effect. An object should not announce its quality. It should sustain it. That is why, in my work, what matters is not only leather, stitching, or hardware, but also the hidden decisions that remain almost invisible from the outside while determining how an object holds its shape, how it feels in the hand, how it ages, and how composed it remains over time.
What interests me is not simply the outward result, but the inner logic of the object. The same material can work convincingly or randomly, depending on the place it occupies within the object and the way it is supported by construction. In my practice, material never exists apart from the task. What matters is that it is chosen not for effect alone, but because it is genuinely right here.
In this sense, custom work matters to me especially. It allows me not to fit a person into a ready-made scheme, but to search for a solution in which form, material, proportion, and the character of the object come together more precisely. This is where something begins to feel not like a variation of a template, but like an object that is genuinely composed and natural.
What I Make
Today I work primarily with watch straps, belts, bags, and small leather objects. Some of them emerge as custom commissions, while others take shape as studio pieces in which I continue to develop my own ideas, materials, and constructive solutions.
What interests me most are objects in which precision, proportion, and inner discipline matter especially strongly. This may be a small object that requires very fine work, or a more complex bespoke piece in which not only the detail matters, but the overall architecture of the object.
Working with a Client
For me, a custom order is not simply the making of an object according to a set of given parameters. It is a process in which the task itself gradually becomes more precise: what kind of object it should be, how it will be used, what truly matters in it, and what kind of final character it should have.
That is why I care not only about the result, but also about the path towards it. If you are interested in how this work takes shape for me, from the first request to the finished object, I have written about it separately on the page about the custom order process.
TESTIMONIALS
This Omega Flightmaster (1969) belonged to my father and was later passed on to me. After having it properly serviced and sympathetically restored, I still found myself not wearing it—mainly because I never connected with the original steel bracelet. For years I searched for a leather or rubber alternative that felt worthy of the watch’s bold, tool-watch character, but nothing ever felt quite right. That changed when I came across a blog post featuring a rally-style strap made specifically for the Flightmaster. It led me to Viktor’s work. I reached out through his website, and he responded almost immediately. From there, the entire experience was genuinely collaborative. We discussed the watch’s heavy case, its imposing presence, and what kind of strap would complement—not compete with—its personality. Viktor listened carefully, offered thoughtful suggestions, and showed immense patience throughout the process. What stood out most was his passion for the craft. This wasn’t a transaction; it felt like working with an artisan who truly cares about the story behind a watch and the details that make a strap feel “right.” The end result exceeded my expectations. The rally strap is beautifully made, perfectly proportioned, and has completely transformed how the watch wears and feels on the wrist. Thanks to Viktor’s skill and engagement, this Flightmaster is no longer a watch that lives in a box—it’s one I now genuinely enjoy wearing. I couldn’t recommend his work more highly.
Asim Sufi
Client
I met Victor in 2015, and since then our collaboration has been not only fruitful, but genuinely inspiring. Victor is a true master of his craft — thoughtful, precise, and a pleasure to work with. His creativity, deep understanding of materials, and eye for detail make our joint projects distinctive and memorable. I especially value Victor’s contribution to the watch straps and presentation boxes created for my pieces. His attention to detail and ability to emphasise the character of a design make my work even more refined and compelling. I am grateful for our long-standing collaboration and look forward to what we will create together next.
Sergey Sofronov
Jeweller
Eight years — and it feels like yesterday. I visited your old studio, as I often did, simply to talk: to enjoy your stories and share a few of my own. And then I saw it — the griffin’s head, and that remarkable dialogue between silver and leather, woven together with such restraint and precision. The work of a true master. Thank you, my friend.
Alex
Client
I commissioned a custom strap for an Omega watch and was very pleased with the result. The workmanship is exceptional. I would gladly recommend Victor to anyone looking for truly bespoke quality.
Svetlana
Client
Thank you for the excellent work. Vintage watch models remain timeless and relevant, yet many bracelets feel dated today — people increasingly choose straps. With a strap, you can shape the design, colour, and character to your taste. It is valuable to have a professional who can bring that vision to life.
Dmytro Yaroshenko
Client
I recently received a custom-made bracelet and I’m very happy with it. In real life it looks even better than in the photos. It works beautifully for everyday wear as well as special occasions. I especially appreciated that the bracelet was made to my exact preferences, and that I could discuss the color and details directly with the craftsman. You can truly feel that he loves what he does.
Karina
Client
Where to Go Next
If you would like to see how these principles take shape in real work, the best place to begin is Bespoke Objects.
If you are considering an individual project of your own, you can continue to Commission to begin a conversation or arrange a private studio visit.
For observations on materials, construction and the way leather objects behave in real use, visit the Journal.