Crown & Buckle Watch Straps

Crown & Buckle: An American Success Story in Watch Accessories

In the intricate world of horology, every detail matters. A watch is more than a timepiece; it’s a statement of style, a testament to craftsmanship, and often, a cherished heirloom. Crown & Buckle understands this better than most. Founded with a passion for watches and a commitment to quality, Crown & Buckle has carved out a niche in the competitive world of watch straps.

This blog post delves into the story of Crown & Buckle, exploring their journey, philosophy, and the exceptional products that have made them a favorite among watch enthusiasts.

In the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina, a small company is making big waves in the world of watch enthusiasts. Crown & Buckle, founded by Thomas Lathrop in 2010, was born out of a simple yet profound idea: to create high-quality watch straps that complement the elegance and functionality of fine timepieces. The company officially launched its website in 2011, and since then, it has been on a mission to provide watch enthusiasts with straps that are as meticulously crafted as the watches they adorn.

From the outset, Crown & Buckle faced the challenges typical of a startup. However, their unwavering commitment to quality and customer service quickly set them apart. The company’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that greatness is in the details, a principle that guides every aspect of their business, from design to customer interaction.

The Birth of a Brand

Thomas Lathrop wasn’t always in the watch strap business. Like many entrepreneurs, he stumbled upon his calling through a combination of passion and opportunity. An avid watch collector himself, Lathrop often found himself frustrated with the limited options available for watch straps. He saw a gap in the market – a need for high-quality, affordable straps that could complement any timepiece.

In 2010, Lathrop decided to take matters into his own hands. He founded Crown & Buckle with a simple mission: to create watch straps that he would want to wear himself. The company started small, operating out of Lathrop’s home in Charlotte. The first products were a handful of leather straps, carefully crafted to meet Lathrop’s exacting standards.

At Crown & Buckle, the emphasis is on quality and craftsmanship. Each strap is designed with a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the materials used. The company sources the finest leathers and high-grade nylon to ensure that every strap not only looks good but also stands the test of time.

Crown & Buckle Watch Straps

The design philosophy at Crown & Buckle is a blend of classic elegance and modern functionality. Whether it’s a leather strap that exudes sophistication or a rugged NATO strap designed for durability, each product is crafted to enhance the overall aesthetic and performance of the watch it accompanies.

Product Spotlight: Leather Straps

Crown & Buckle’s leather straps remain a cornerstone of their product line. They offer a wide range of styles, from classic dress watch straps to rugged, vintage-inspired pieces. Each strap is made from high-quality leather, sourced from reputable tanneries. The attention to detail is evident in the stitching, the finishing of the edges, and the choice of hardware. Whether you’re looking for a sleek black strap for your dress watch or a weathered brown leather for your field watch, Crown & Buckle has you covered!

Customization is a key feature of Crown & Buckle’s leather straps. Customers can choose from a variety of colors, stitching options, and buckle finishes to create a strap that perfectly matches their style.

Made in America: A Commitment to Quality

Crown & Buckle’s leather straps are a testament to their commitment to quality. They use premium leathers such as Horween and Italian leather, known for their durability and rich texture. Horween is one of the world’s best-known leather tanneries. Founded in 1905, they are a 5th-generation family-owned business. All Horween leather is processed, tanned, and dyed from start to finish in Chicago, Illinois.

Manufacturing and Quality Control

Crown & Buckle’s commitment to quality extends to their manufacturing process. They work directly with manufacturers, factories, and workshops to produce their straps, allowing them to maintain strict quality control standards. Each strap undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets the company’s high standards for durability and craftsmanship.

Quality control is a cornerstone of Crown & Buckle’s operations. From the selection of materials to the final inspection, every step of the process is carefully monitored to ensure that each strap is of the highest quality.

From the very beginning, Lathrop was committed to keeping production in the United States. While many companies were outsourcing their manufacturing overseas to cut costs, Crown & Buckle took a different approach. All orders from Crown & Buckle are handled in-house at their North Carolina location.

This decision wasn’t just about patriotism – it was about quality. By keeping production close to home, Crown & Buckle could ensure that every strap met their high standards. They could experiment with new designs, respond quickly to customer feedback, and maintain the level of craftsmanship that has become their hallmark.

NATO Straps

Besides leather straps, Crown & Buckle offers high-quality NATO straps as well. NATO straps have a storied history, originally designed for military use due to their durability and practicality. Crown & Buckle has taken this classic design and elevated it with high-quality materials and meticulous craftsmanship. Their NATO straps are made from premium nylon and feature stainless steel hardware, ensuring they are both stylish and robust.

Nato Straps

Popular models include the Supreme NATO, which offers a thicker, more durable weave, and the Chevron™ NATO, which combines the traditional NATO design with a unique chevron pattern for added flair. One of Crown & Buckle’s standout offerings is their Chevron™ straps. These straps are designed with a distinctive chevron pattern that sets them apart from traditional watch straps. Made from high-quality materials, Chevron™ straps are known for their durability and comfort. They are available in a variety of colors and sizes, making them a versatile choice for any watch enthusiast.

Manufacturing and Quality Control

Crown & Buckle’s commitment to quality extends to their manufacturing process. They work directly with manufacturers, factories, and workshops to produce their straps, allowing them to maintain strict quality control standards. Each strap undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets the company’s high standards for durability and craftsmanship.

Quality control is a cornerstone of Crown & Buckle’s operations. From the selection of materials to the final inspection, every step of the process is carefully monitored to ensure that each strap is of the highest quality.

Customer Experience

At Crown & Buckle, the customer experience is paramount. The ordering process is designed to be seamless and user-friendly, with detailed product descriptions and high-quality images to help customers make informed decisions. The company’s customer service team is known for their responsiveness and dedication to ensuring customer satisfaction.

Testimonials and reviews from satisfied customers highlight the exceptional quality of Crown & Buckle’s products and the company’s commitment to excellence. Many customers praise the straps for their comfort, durability, and stylish design, making Crown & Buckle a trusted name in the watch strap industry.

Media and Recognition

Crown & Buckle has garnered recognition from various mainstream and watch media outlets. They have been featured in publications such as International Watch, Bloomberg, and Gear Patrol, highlighting their innovative designs and commitment to quality. The company has also received several awards and accolades for their products, further cementing their reputation as a leader in the watch strap industry.

In addition to media recognition, Crown & Buckle is actively involved in the watch community. They sponsor several watch forums, websites, and fairs, such as Watchuseek and the Wind Up Watch Fair, demonstrating their commitment to supporting and engaging with watch enthusiasts.

Future Directions

Looking ahead, Crown & Buckle has exciting plans for the future. The company is continually innovating, with new products and designs in the pipeline. They are also exploring opportunities for expansion, both in terms of product offerings and market reach. One example of their expanding product line is their development of watch travel storage.

Hard Travel Watch Case

The luxury watch accessory market has seen a significant evolution with our latest offering. Crown & Buckle has expanded their product line to include a premium “hard case” watch travel tube, complementing their renowned leather watch rolls. This new tube-style case boasts a robust hard shell exterior, providing superior protection for your timepieces during transit.

Design and Materials

The travel tube boasts a sporty nylon exterior in O.D. green, paired with a luxurious coyote microsuede interior. Meticulous attention to detail is evident in the matching thread used for both internal and external stitching, creating a cohesive and polished look.

O.D. HEX WATCH CASE

Innovative Features

Hexagonal Shape: The unique hex design prevents unwanted rolling, ensuring your watches stay put during transit.

Customizable Interior: Removable pillows with alignment tabs keep your timepieces securely in place, eliminating any risk of movement within the tube.

Versatile Lid: The lid unrolls to provide a convenient, soft surface for strap changes or temporary watch placement.

Flexible Accommodation: The pillows’ adaptable design allows for easy and secure fitment of various watch styles, including those with metal bracelets.

Capacity and Size

While our new hard-shell tube offers superior protection for three watches, it’s worth noting that its dimensions are comparable to our 4- or 5-watch leather rolls. This trade-off in capacity is balanced by the significant enhancement in durability and security.

This travel tube represents our commitment to evolving with the needs of watch enthusiasts, offering a perfect blend of style, functionality, and unparalleled protection for your cherished timepieces.

Soft Travel Watch Case

In addition to the hard travel case, Crown & Buckle also offers a soft travel case as well. This high-quality canvas watch roll combines durability with affordability. This new product line expands its renowned collection of leather watch rolls, providing a sporty and rugged alternative for watch enthusiasts.

BRONZE CANVAS WATCH ROLL

Design and Construction

Their canvas watch roll features:

A robust nylon canvas exterior in navy blue

A soft, protective microsuede interior in grey

Meticulous stitching with matching thread throughout

Practical Features

Versatile Storage: The roll accommodates six watches in individual pockets, designed to fit various watch sizes and strap/bracelet lengths.

Secure Closure: A user-friendly hook & loop strap ensures your timepieces remain safely enclosed during transit.

Compact Size: Unrolled dimensions: 15.25″ x 5.75″ (L x W) Watch pocket width: 2.5″

Value Proposition

While this canvas roll doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it excels in providing a well-constructed, functional solution at an attractive price point. The combination of durable exterior and protective interior lining offers reliable storage for your watch collection without breaking the bank.

This new canvas roll represents a commitment to catering to diverse preferences and budgets within the watch enthusiast community. It’s an ideal choice for those seeking a no-frills, dependable watch storage solution that balances quality with affordability.

Conclusion

Crown & Buckle’s journey is a testament to the power of passion and dedication. From their humble beginnings to their current status as a respected name in the watch strap industry, the company has stayed true to their mission of providing high-quality, stylish, and durable watch straps. As they continue to innovate and grow, Crown & Buckle is poised to remain a favorite among watch enthusiasts for years to come.

Happy Collecting!

Leather watch straps

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *