The Joie de Vivre Collection - Doing What Comes Naturally

Our new collection of exclusive leather watch straps is inspired by that certain je ne sais quoi of the French and Parisian lifestyle. Rich in details, yet nonchalant and of the utmost quality, the straps open up a new chapter for Bulang and Sons. Here’s how we take style for watch lovers to the next level.

The trees lining the stairs up to Montmartre. The deep blue water of the Côte near Saint Raphael. The warm glow of a natural Bordeaux wine. The copper tones of the Parisian Metro underground. The carefree look and habitus of the classic Bohémiens. These are just some of the many aspects we love about La Grande Nation.

The French Touch

France has always been a pioneer in life and style. From fashion to architecture, from films to music and from food to wine, the examples of extraordinary French feats are many. And these feats always appear as if they’re pulled off with ease. That easiness – just doing what comes naturally – is at the very heart of our new Joie de Vivre Collection.

Bringing a variety of new colors, shapes and details, the straps in the Joie de Vivre Collection continue our approach of refining and re-inventing our portfolio. Naturally tanned and handmade in Italy from the finest leathers available, the watch straps in the new Joie de Vivre collection combine finest craftsmanship with our own French touch.

The New Details

All straps in this collection are just 2.3 mm thin, with only the finest parts of high-grade leathers spliced and bound together on both sides of the strap. This intricate procedure provides a gentle touch while retaining a light elegance with a vintage mojo – and is just one of the aspects that sets these straps apart from most you can find in the market.

Even more intriguing is the new shape unifying all straps in the collection. Personally created by Bernhard Bulang, the rounder design was tried and tested with several prototypes before getting it just perfect. In Bernhard’s words: „This new silhouette offers just the right bit of refinement. Round watch cases in combination with the elegant curves of these straps will leave a super stylish overall impression. Truly the lust for life!“

The New Shape

Bernhard designed the new shape of the straps in the Joie de Vivre collection with one major goal – to enhance the appearance of the watch itself: „The design had to offer a contemporary vibe to a vintage watch and also needed to be able to add soul and style to a modern timepiece.“ As the first finished products came in and were tried with a selection of watches, it soon became clear that this was the right design.

This future classic strap shape is complemented by some beautiful details on the leather. The material carries fine heat lines which are further enhanced by the super clean stitching, making the shape slightly more visible. All the straps in the collection are outfitted with the brushed version of our exclusive Bulang and Sons solid metal Elegant Buckle.

The New Colors

Then there are the new colors of the straps, and this is where the influences from French lifestyle and culture really come to fruition. The hues of the Mediterranean sea play as much a part in this collection as the classic tones of the most respected Paris haute couture houses. But our inspiration lies more in those second-look details and the French quotidien.

Take for example the Café au Lait Leather Watch Strap, which is inspired by the quintessential Parisian experience of having a smooth cup in front of a corner café, watching the people pass by. Or the Chateau de Cassis Leather Watch Strap made from a rare blue Horween leather as a tribute to the stunning ocean view from this special place. Or the straight En Vogue Grey Leather Watch Strap, which is informed by the understated tones of classic French couturiers like YSL or Lagerfeld.