Bonetti 'Bund' strap

This is my Bonetti 'Bund' strap. I got this from Passions in Malaysia. It is not a true Bund design but I like it. I have tried to look up Bonetti and so far I have not found anything about them. I understand that this strap may be locally sourced but stamped with an 'Italian name'. It is also stamped/ signed Italy. It does not matter to me where the strap is made, as long as it is well made and comfortable to use.

The strap is unique in that there are no stitching on the strap. The end loops are held by rivets. The strap fits lug size 20 mm. On the buckle end, it measures 70 mm. The hole end is 130 mm long. The end is rounded.

The backing pad measures 42 mm wide and 138 mm long. The backing pad is rectangular in shape as oppose to the profiled shape of a proper Bund strap.

The strap is matte black and is made of soft leather. The back of the strap is cream in colour. The edges are sealed (black) and the finishing is not bad at all. I like this strap.

The strap can be used by itself, without the backing pad. It loops through cut-outs on the backing pad. The cut-outs are well finished and sealed. It fits well on the watch and there is no play at the lug attachment point. Perhaps it is still new. Only time will tell. Like I said earlier, the ends are looped over at the lug attachment point and is held in place by a rivet.

The strap keeper is also made of leather but it does not feel as if it is made of the same leather as the strap. It is not as soft and thinner. It is held in place by a rivet and the same rivet also acts to hold the loop at the buckle. One problem I find with the fixed strap keeper is that is the strap is used by someone with a thin wrist, the keeper would not hold the entire strap in place.

The strap is signed Bonetti and Italy on the buckle side. The strap width, 20 mm and the material used (leather) is stamped on the hole side of the strap. The stamping looks very good and well finished.

The buckle is made of stainless steel (?). It has a brushed finish on the visible part of the buckle. On the underside, the finish is not as good. It is neither brushed or polished. This to me is the only bad point about the strap. The buckle can easily be removed as there are spring bar holes on the buckle.

The strap is currently fitted on my Stowa Airman. I find the strap very comfortable and I like using it. I have used it on my Revue Thommen as well. It does not feel as good, perhaps because that watch is light (titanium) and small.