Strap for Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked Platinum

The bracelet is integrated into the case with a proprietary attachment: a standard strap simply cannot be fitted, as there are no conventional lug measurements to work from. I have seen too many improvised attempts on watches of this calibre — it is not a viable route. In the atelier, I build the attachment from scratch, working directly from the watch case.

It begins with an appointment at <a href="/pages/casati-booking">Casati Milano</a>, at Via XX Settembre 15 in Milan. I bring the watch to the bench, take measurements directly from the case, and hand-shape the attachments to work with the original architecture. Nothing is standardised: every piece is built from zero, on that specific example.

I prefer Barenia. It has a dense, almost dry texture that holds up well under the weight of a platinum watch, and over time it develops a patina of real character. For a Royal Oak — born as a sports watch but worn as a piece of dress elegance — Barenia expresses that same dual nature without forcing it.

A strap built from first-grade leather and hand-stitched will easily last ten years, sometimes longer. Care is straightforward: keep it away from excess water and let it breathe between wearings. Barenia in particular improves with age — the marks of use become part of the strap, not a flaw.

According to the technical details of this reference, only 20 examples were produced. That number changes the way one approaches the project: every choice — leather, thread, attachment — must be made with the awareness that there is no margin for error. I have seen very few watches that demand this level of attention.