Finally Found My Own "Holy Grail" Accessory

[Marc Chevalier]

At the risk of overusing this 'Holy Grail' term, here's a, er, 'grail' I've been trying to get for years and years ... until now. Finally!


It's ... well, it's a vintage leather pocket watch lapel strap. Fred wore one with a pocket handkerchief (too clutter-y for me):

They were originally made for British military officers in World War I. In the 1930s, they began to be marketed to Americans.

Eventually fell out of favor here, perhaps because they distort the shape of the lapel's boutonniere hole. (See the Astaire photo above, and my pics below. Ignore the Dobbs illustration: it lies.) But who cares? Boutonniere holes be damned!


Here's mine:

Lounger Lokar has a nicer one which he found in Sweden, I believe.

 

[repeatclicks]

Very nice Marc! Its accessories like these that really make a look pop.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I am happy for you, Marc. One question: why didn't you just get one made?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I am happy for you, Marc. One question: why didn't you just get one made?

The thing is ... in order to get it properly made, you really have to give the maker a vintage one for him/her to copy ... which means that you need to have a vintage one in the first place. And if you do have a vintage one, then there's no need to get a new one made. (Okay, I'm out of breath now.)

 

[Feraud]

That is great looking and a rarely seen style. Enjoy it Marc!

 

[Marc Chevalier]

That is great looking and a rarely seen style. Enjoy it Marc!

Thanks, fellas ... and I'll try not to worry about boutonniere hole distortion.

 

[Talbot]

Thanks for sharing, very interesting.

Best with tweed?

 

[cookie]

The thing is ... in order to get it properly made, you really have to give the maker a vintage one for him/her to copy ... which means that you need to have a vintage one in the first place. And if you do have a vintage one, then there's no need to get a new one made. (Okay, I'm out of breath now.)

Another item for you to explore as a new new thing?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Best with tweed?

I reckon so, though Fred Astaire seems to have paired it with dark (grey?) flannel.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Another item for you to explore as a new new thing?

Don't think so. Most men would 'cry foul' about the havoc it wreaks on boutonniere holes.

 

[thecardigankid]

That wouldn't be a hard item to bring back into production these days, with a lot of room for customization.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

That wouldn't be a hard item to bring back into production these days, with a lot of room for customization.

Not worth the time, effort and money. It's a miniscule market, and the profit margin would be low ... because I'd have them made here, not in China.


That said, it would be a fun project for someone handy with leather.

 

[Shangas]

Very handsome, Marc! A beautiful accessory. One that's rarely seen these days. Wear it in good health and wear it often!

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Not worth the time, effort and money. It's a miniscule market, and the profit margin would be low ... because I'd have them made here, not in China.


That said, it would be a fun project for someone handy with leather.

Wade Egan would be the guy to do it. Please look him up on Facebook, Marc. I would love to have one.

 

[Nick D]

Don't think so. Most men would 'cry foul' about the havoc it wreaks on boutonniere holes.

I wear a vintage one with a toggle frequently. It hasn't done anything untoward to the buttonhole.

 

[Shangas]

Maybe I'm incorrect, but I was under the impression that these leather straps ended with T-bars? If that's the case, how would that damage the buttonhole?

 

[AntonAAK]

They are still made. I have two from here.


Sadly I can't link to the page directly as the site uses frames. Click on the button for 'Watch straps' and then 'Brown Leather Military Style Pocket Watch 'Albert' Straps' (or black).

I always wear mine with a pocket square. I hate the look of a jacket pocket without one.

Anton

 

[Chasseur]

I would second Anton, I have one from the same seller and I also use one frequently with a pocket square. I find it works best with tweedy, flannel, suits or sportcoats.

 

[Mario]

Interesting item, Marc. Have to confess that I've never seen one before.

BTW: That suit fabric looks amazing. Is that the one I asked you to post some more photos of?

 

[Nick D]

They are still made. I have two from here.


Sadly I can't link to the page directly as the site uses frames. Click on the button for 'Watch straps' and then 'Brown Leather Military Style Pocket Watch 'Albert' Straps' (or black).

Those are the toggle type. Marc's has a loop and buckle that passes through the buttonhole.