Strap for Royal Oak 41 Double Balance Wheel Openworked White Gold / Baguette Blue Sapphire

The bracelet is integrated into the case: there is no standard lug where a traditional strap can be attached. The attachment is part of the watch's own architecture. For those who wish to switch to leather, I build each piece directly on the watch, at the atelier, bespoke.

I work exclusively through <a href="/pages/casati-booking">Casati Milano</a>, by appointment, at Via XX Settembre 15 in Milan. I bring the watch to the bench and take measurements directly from the original case: every connector is shaped by hand to integrate smoothly and invisibly. There are no templates — each strap is built from scratch on that specific piece.

For a Royal Oak in white gold, I choose Mississippi alligator with symmetrical scales, in slate grey or midnight blue. White gold has a cold, understated light: it calls for a leather with visual structure that does not shout. Alligator holds that dialogue without overpowering it.

A strap crafted with quality leather and solid stitching easily lasts five to seven years of regular use. Leather ages: alligator develops a patina that improves with time, while Barenia softens and takes on a unique colour. Care is straightforward — keep it away from prolonged exposure to water and let it breathe between wearings.

In 1972, Gérald Genta proposed something that simply did not exist: a sports watch with an octagonal case, exposed hexagonal screws and an integrated bracelet, all in gold. At the time, it was a provocation. Today, that sculptural geometry is still recognisable at a glance, without showing any logo. It is rare for an idea to hold up so well after fifty years.