Panerai Luminor 44mm Strap 24/24 “Groom Lake” Limited

Description

Something interesting is happening deep in the Nevada desert..and it’s way more interesting than you think.

Brigadier General’s Report:  I created this sleek gloss black Panerai strap 100% by hand and hand stitched it, as with all of my straps.  For this project, I selected a chrome tanned leather with a glossy, uniform finish on the surface.  This unique gloss black Panerai strap will conform to your wrist after a period of wear.  Furthermore, the leather demonstrates some unique properties.  When bent or twisted, the leather will show cracks on the surface, but when laid flat and rubbed with a cloth, the leather will regain it’s shiny finish.  This is most certainly not your average soft, civilian leather strap.  The exterior edges of the strap have been burnished to a smooth uniform finish. Additionally, the edges of the strap itself feature a soft crease.

For the stitching, I utilized matte black thread in a tight box stitched pattern. Additionally, this strap design features two floating keepers.  This strap ships by default with a gloss black special edition “Groom Lake 51” engraved buckle with “MJ-12 Mod. Dep” engravings on the reverse side. Additional, more traditional buckle types are also available, but only in black.  Pictured above, you may see this novel strap on the Panerai Luminor Titanium PAM00061.  The example above features a length of 84/144, ideal for easily removal.

Measurements:  This strap is 24/24, with a thickness of ~5mm.

What We Include:  Watch strap (top, bottom), gloss black limited buckle, one wooden gift box.

If you wish to view more black 24mm straps, please click here.

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Additional Information:  The 44mm Panerai Luminor is the true workhorse of the Panerai lineup, and by far has the most potential for aftermarket strap creation.  While larger 47mm case models demand thicker straps, the 44mm Luminor case is more flexible and works with a variety of different strap thicknesses.  However, with that in mind, I make most of my 44mm case Panerai straps with thinner thread that what I use on the 47mm case models.  When I select the thread and spacing, I take into consideration the thickness and temper of the leather.

Most of my 24mm custom straps for 44mm Panerai models utilize a vintage Panerai style pin buckle. However, you will find that many straps in this section also have additional buckle options in the drop down menus above.  My general design philosophy for 24mm straps dual keepers of generous thickness, box stitching, and a thickness or 3.5 to 5.5mm depending on leather temper.

All of my 24mm Panerai straps for 44mm cases are 24/24mm, without a taper.  The only tapered straps that I make are for Radiomir cases.  My design preferences for the 44mm Panerai case tend towards longer buckle sides and shorter bottom sides. The aim is to achieve as much balance as possible.  Additionally, the stitching margins will be thinner on my 24mm Panerai straps than they are on my 47mm Panerai straps.

I pride myself in each aftermarket Panerai strap that I produce and perform the entire process by hand without templates or machines of any sort.  I use the absolute basic tools, the same tools that I used as a boot maker for nearly two decades.  In conclusion, as a result of the handmade nature of these straps, no two are identical.