Our newest watch band embodies the essence of Bulang and Sons - a sleek and cozy design that merges a real leather foundation with a unique material that ages gracefully: Vintage cotton ripstop in a timeless olive drab hue. Let us tell you the story of how we created these long-lasting and lightweight bands with our distinctive touch which will fit perfect on your Apple Watch.
A Weave Of Its Own
Back in early 2018, the Bulang and Sons M65 Collection showcased a limited edition of our inaugural bands crafted from ripstop fabric derived from vintage military jackets. While we were initially drawn to its rugged surplus aesthetic, we soon discovered that the material's distinct capacity to mature over time was its true standout characteristic.
Made To Age In Style
The main focus of this remarkable fabric used on our bands became its ability to improve with wear. Our team, friends, and customers began sharing their authentic experiences and photos of how their bands developed over time. It's an ongoing process as the bands age, but they do so in their own robust and resilient way.
The graceful aging process of these bands is akin to that of vintage watches with their faded bezels and patinated dials. As they accompany and reflect the unique lifestyles of their wearers, these bands mature in the most elegant manner.
The perfect matching contrast for the Apple Watch.
A Personalized Approach
Giving a personal touch to a product and creating a unique appearance through its use and care is a crucial aspect of many of the cherished items we own, carry, or even sit on today. These possessions have stories to tell, whether they are our own, those of their previous owners, or the stuff of legends.
These items reflect genuine life experiences and convey a sense of history and character through their outer appearance. It's no surprise that artificially distressed jeans and shabby chic furnishings are now part of mainstream fashion. Vintage has become a standard in design and aesthetics, offering a personalized way to break away from conformity.
The Right Stuff
Tracking down the appropriate vintage cotton ripstop material has been a lengthy process. We have come to the conclusion that using fabric from vintage M65 jackets is not a viable option, as these items are simply too valuable and scarce to be cut up for our purposes.
In our search for the perfect ripstop material, we insisted on using cotton instead of synthetic threads. Despite the fact that synthetic threads are commonly used nowadays to avoid wear and tear, we wanted our straps to meet our high standards of comfort, style, and durability. Moreover, we made sure that the material ages gracefully, in accordance with our exacting standards.
We embarked on a mission to discover the ideal olive drab-toned vintage cotton ripstop. As vintage cotton is scarce, it can't be easily procured in large quantities today. Eventually, we stumbled upon the perfect cotton material from a stock dating back to the early 1980s, with an exceptional look and feel that met our exacting standards.
Our next challenge was to turn this exceptional material into a Bulang and Sons watch band of the highest quality that lives up to our standards. The real difficulty was in creating a band that was both thin and comfortable while maintaining its perfect appearance and ultimate comfort.
Our German partners from Kaufmann worked through several sample stages to finally deliver the perfect balance of craftsmanship, style, and comfort. Through over 80 steps of handcrafting, a design was created that allows for a comfortable fit on the wrist with fully wrapped and sewn-in side panels. This approach prevents the bands from fraying while still allowing the ripstop material to develop a unique and individual look over time.
The Bulang and Sons cotton ripstop watch band may just be our most Bulang and Sons-esque band yet. It features a rare, top-tier material with a captivating history and character, that is also capable of developing a unique patina over time. Taking inspiration from vintage military aesthetics, while simultaneously serving as a blank slate for your own personal style, this band offers a truly singular look.
Check out the Apple Watch Band - Green Canvas - Ripstop here...
Now it’s up to you to create your story!
