Hello everyone, and welcome to another of my reviews. In this article, I’ll review a custom strap commission from the local strapmaker Delugs.
Delugs recently opened its flagship boutique in Raffles Hotel earlier this year, which included a dedicated corner for custom straps. With the F1 weekend around the corner, I wanted a new custom strap for my TAG Heuer Monaco, and decided to try out Delugs’ custom strap programme. Let’s see if it’s any good.
Delugs Custom Strap – Video
For hands-on footage of my custom strap experience with Delugs, do watch the YouTube video below:
Delugs Custom Strap – the Experience
Delugs flagship boutique is conveniently located on the second floor of Raffles Hotel, on the Raffles Arcade side.
Walking in, you’ll first be greeted by a wall of leather straps, featuring every colour, texture, and material that you can dream of.
If leather straps aren’t your thing, Delugs also carries a wide range of fabric and rubber straps, including its signature rubber CTS offerings (which I reviewed here).
The showroom exudes a clear emphasis on quality control. Take the “Delcro” straps, for instance—they undergo extensive testing to ensure the Velcro maintains its grip even after thousands of uses.
Delugs has also incorporated a dedicated community space within the showroom for events and gatherings. The upcoming Golden Hour: Independent Series, taking place from November 8–9, will feature independent brands such as Baltic, Christopher Ward, Dennison, and SpaceOne showcasing some of their most popular timepieces. It’s great to see the Delugs showroom serving not only as a retail space for straps but also as a hub for the watch enthusiast community—both brands and collectors alike.
Elsewhere, the showroom is adorned with commemorative memorabilia, including a signed message from Ed Sheeran (which I detailed in my earlier feature).
The brand also proudly showcases its high-profile collaborations, most notably with Vacheron Constantin. It’s remarkable to see a local strapmaker crafting for one of horology’s Holy Trinity—a true testament to how far Delugs has come.
Overall, the boutique stands as a shrine not only to strapmaking but to horology as a whole. While many strap brands exist—locally and abroad—few possess a clearer sense of purpose than Delugs. It’s evident that this is a brand created by watch enthusiasts, for watch enthusiasts.
Speaking of watch enthusiasts, none embody the spirit more than Ken himself—a true aficionado with one of the most impressive collections I’ve encountered, featuring pieces from MB&F, Romain Gauthier, De Bethune and F.P. Journe, among others. It’s always refreshing to chat with a fellow WIS (does anyone still use that term?)—we were immediately on the same wavelength.
So when I showed Ken my TAG Heuer Monaco and mentioned wanting to dress it up for the F1 weekend, he immediately understood what I had in mind.
First, he directed me to the custom strap corner, where he suggested having a rally strap made.
The most eye-catching feature of the custom strap corner is undoubtedly the selection of exotic alligator hides on display—exclusive to Delugs’ flagship boutique and unavailable online.
In short, these exotic skins cater to the discerning enthusiast seeking a strap with more flair and individuality than standard off-the-shelf options. Ken first suggested that I could consider a maroon alligator hide (which he felt complements the red chronograph hand of the Monaco) if I wanted a bolder look.
Among the remaining hides—which vary seasonally based on availability—Ken pointed out a striking blue alligator variant that he felt could be a more subtle option for the grey Monaco. Ken also shared that clients can select their preferred section of the hide, allowing them to choose between wider or finer scales according to their taste.
While the blue alligator hide was undeniably striking, I preferred something more understated. I shared my thoughts with Ken, who immediately walked me through the full range of available leather options.
Among the myriad options, Ken recommended a grey Epsom strap that perfectly complements the grey dial of my Monaco. I immediately loved the idea—the monochromatic look felt sleek and perfectly in tune with the F1 theme.
Once we settled on the strap material, Ken showed me some examples of their rally straps and suggested adding contrasting side stitching for a touch of colour. We both immediately agreed on red stitching for the custom rally strap—proof that we were definitely on the same wavelength.
Ken didn’t stop there—he also suggested a maroon lining to really drive home (pun intended) the strap’s racing inspiration. I joked that he was starting to sound like a tailor, encouraging clients to take bolder stylistic risks.
As if to prove my point further, Ken then proceeded to take detailed measurements of my watch, which he jotted down meticulously on a paper form.
I was impressed by the level of detail in Delugs’ custom strap program—for instance, Ken asked whether I preferred larger or smaller holes, or more versus fewer holes on my rally strap. The process closely mirrors a tailoring experience, which makes sense, as both are about crafting a truly bespoke product for the client.
This consultation also underscores the value of a physical retail space, particularly for custom straps. There’s no substitute for experiencing the process in person, especially given its level of detail. Having a fellow watch enthusiast to brainstorm with is a bonus—I never would have considered touches like a maroon lining if it weren’t for Ken.
Ken is always looking to enhance his custom strap program. One recent innovation is providing customers with a mock-up of the strap on their specific watch before production begins—he notes that this helps clients better visualise the final result.
After placing my order, I was sent my mock-up within the week. It looked great, so I gave the Delugs team the green light to start production.
After a month, I returned to the Delugs boutique to collect my custom strap.
After fitting the strap, Ken noticed a minor error—the side stitching was positioned just a touch too close to the lugs, causing slight creasing. Honestly, I hadn’t even noticed until he pointed it out. Once again, it’s a testament to Delugs’ dedication to quality and customer satisfaction.
As the F1 weekend was around the corner (again, pun intended), Ken took it upon himself to rectify the error on the spot.
First, Ken snipped away the old side-stitching.
Next, Ken proceeded to painstakingly saddle stitch the sides of the strap, this time ensuring that sufficient allowance was left between the stitching and the lugs.
Honestly, watching Ken saddle-stitch the strap himself was surreal—like seeing the CEO of Rolex service your Daytona. We joked that it felt nostalgic, taking us back to the early days of the business when Ken was still crafting straps and even wallets (yes, Delugs used to sell wallets) from his bedroom.
This also highlights Ken’s hands-on approach to running Delugs. Even though the brand has grown into a major player in the strap industry, he remains involved in every facet of the business—from production and marketing to fostering community with brands and enthusiasts. After seven years, his passion for strapmaking is as evident as ever.
After about 30 minutes, Ken presented me with the rectified strap. Not only is it beautiful to look at, but it’s also more meaningful given that the strap was finished by Ken himself.
The underside of the strap is equally (if not even more) beautiful, with the rich maroon hue reflecting the automotive spirit of the strap and the Monaco perfectly. The lining is made out of Zermatt leather, which is hypoallergenic, comfortable to wear, and premium to the touch.
The sides of the strap are dyed by hand and buffered, resulting in a seamless look that also feels great.
Ken also pointed out that the strap features Delugs’ new buckle, designed to reduce bulk and enhance comfort. While buckles are often an afterthought even among custom strapmakers, it’s commendable that Delugs has invested effort into refining this frequently overlooked component.
On the wrist, this custom Epsom rally strap from Delugs is a perfect match for my Monaco—its grey tone and red accents complement the dial flawlessly. The strap enhances the Monaco’s racing spirit and is a joy to behold. I’ve received numerous compliments, and it’s easily my favourite custom strap commission to date.
And yes, I wore the strap to the F1—where, sadly, it saw Max Verstappen just miss out to George Russell. Oh well.
Conclusion – so Delugs Custom Strap “shiok” or not?
Although Delugs is best known for its rubber CTS straps, it’s important to remember that the brand began as an artisanal leathermaker and still offers a wide range of affordable leather straps today. I can only sing praises for their custom strap program. First, there’s an impressive selection of leather—from exotic hides to classic options like Epsom. Second, the customization options are extensive, letting clients create a strap truly tailored to their tastes. While my Monaco is fairly standard, Ken shared that the team has also crafted straps for more unique watches, including MB&Fs and even one-of-a-kind pieces. On top of that, the program is very accessible, with prices starting at just S$195. The only minor drawback is the 4–6 week lead time, though Ken assures me they’re actively working to reduce it.
I thoroughly enjoyed my custom strap experience with Ken. While I’ve commissioned multiple custom straps over the years, none have fit and complemented their intended watch as perfectly as this one. The entire process was a pleasure, especially chatting with a fellow watch enthusiast, and I have immense respect for Ken’s dedication to quality and his passion for strapmaking and horology. I’ll certainly be returning for more commissions.
Learn more about Delugs’ custom strap programme here.
Visit the Delugs Flagship Boutique: Raffles Hotel Arcade, 328 North Bridge Road, #02-35, SG 188719
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11AM to 8PM
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P.P.P.P.S Shiok is a common word Singaporeans use to express admiration or approval. As of 2016, you can find the definition of the word in the Oxford English Dictionary.
