Bespoke Alligator Straps for Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Power Reserve

For this Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Power Reserve in a rose gold case, I made a pair of bespoke alligator straps. The black and dark brown versions were conceived as two equally appropriate options for the same watch, while preserving its proportions, character, and overall visual language.

In projects like this, precision matters no less than the choice of leather. The client sent me the original Zenith strap together with the original 18K gold buckle. This made it possible to build the new set with the correct shape, accurate fit, and proper integration with the original clasp. The strap size was 21 to 18 mm, with a length of 115 to 80 mm.

The decision to make two straps was shaped not only by aesthetics, but also by watch strap durability in real wear. The original strap had developed damage in one of the most stressed areas, close to the spring bar. Cases like this are a reminder that the durability of a watch strap depends not only on the outer leather, but also on the way its inner structure is built.

For this reason, I used Jaeger Reinforcements inside the new straps. These internal layers help the strap behave more steadily under load, hold its shape more reliably, and maintain a more composed structure in wear.

Both straps were made in a restrained classic spirit. The black version was executed entirely in a unified tone, with black alligator leather, black lining, and black MeiSi linen thread. The dark brown strap follows the same logic. Its black lining, edges dyed to match the leather, and thread in a slightly lighter tone create a softer nuance without disturbing the overall character of the piece.

The black lining on both straps was chosen deliberately. It preserves a visual connection with the original Zenith strap, while avoiding a literal reproduction of the factory piece.

In construction, the straps are thin and supple, with a gently defined ergonomic shape. In this project it is expressed with restraint, which suits the watch more naturally and makes the fit feel more organic on the wrist.

A pair of straps for one watch is not unusual. Sometimes it is a matter of practicality. Sometimes it is a matter of having two equally fitting options for different situations. In this project, both reasons came together. The black strap offers a stricter reading of the watch. The dark brown one introduces a warmer interpretation, while preserving the same sense of balance and appropriateness.