A Decade in the Making: Vario’s Premium Strap Collection

Photo by @ldydaryl85

A Decade of Straps

On 31 March 2016, Vario began with a simple idea, graphic watch straps brought to life through a successful crowdfunding campaign. What started as an experiment in design quickly became the foundation of everything we do today.

Ten years on, it feels only right to return to where it all began.

To mark this milestone, we set out to create something special, a new premium watch strap collection that reflects not just how far we’ve come, but the level we aspire to reach. This meant working with some of the finest and most exotic materials available and partnering with craftsmen who share our values.

 

A Meeting of Like-Minded Makers

For this anniversary collection, we collaborated with RIOS1931, a family-owned strap maker based in Germany with nearly a century of experience whom we've worked with on our clip-on straps.

Like Vario, RIOS1931 remains independently run, with a deep respect for tradition, quality, and honest craftsmanship. Their expertise in handcrafting watch straps combined with our design sensibilities made this collaboration a natural fit.

This isn’t mass production. Each strap reflects a shared philosophy: that small, family-run businesses can work together to create products that serves the watch community.

Photo by Haas Tanneries

Leather with a Legacy

At the heart of this collection is leather from Haas Tanneries, a family owned 6th generation historic tannery in Alsace that has been refining its craft since 1842.

Haas is widely regarded as one of the world’s premier calfskin tanneries, known for producing leather that balances elegance, durability, and character. Their work is trusted by some of the most respected names in luxury. Though for us, what matters most is the integrity of their process and the beauty of the material itself.

With precise craftsmanship, state-of-the-art technology, and an uncompromising commitment to quality, Haas creates leather that lives, breathes, and only improves with age.

The Beauty of Novonappa®

For this collection, we selected Novonappa leather, one of Haas’ most celebrated creations made famous by a top luxury brand.

Novonappa is top of the line full aniline leather known for its buttery softness and distinctive character. While a tannery might produce 100 skins, only one or two might be physically "clean" enough to become a smooth, light-colored Novonappa hide.

The scarcity isn't because the cows are rare, but because perfect skin is rare. The material is so rarely used for large handbags (which require one massive, perfect piece of skin) compared to smaller  watch straps.

Look closely and you’ll notice its fine pores and natural grain, which catch the light at different angles. Over time, the living leather develops a gentle sheen and mild patina, subtle signs of wear that make each strap uniquely yours.

Despite its refined feel, Novonappa is remarkably resilient. For decades, it has been used in applications where both beauty and durability are essential, from luxury leather goods to saddlery. It’s a material designed not just to last, but to tell a story as it does.

Made to Be Worn, Made to Last

At the heart of this strap is Novonappa leather, prized for its smooth hand, natural grain, and the way it develops a rich patina over time due to its double tanned process. It’s a leather long associated with the highest standards of traditional leathercraft, chosen not for perfection, but for how beautifully it evolves with wear, thanks to its double tanned process.

On the underside, we’ve paired it with Zermatt lining, also from Haas, known for its durability, resistance to moisture, and exceptional comfort against the skin. It’s the kind of detail you may not notice at first, but one you’ll appreciate every day you wear it.

Each strap is hand saddle stitched, a technique rooted in traditional leatherworking where every stitch is individually locked by hand. Unlike machine stitching, this method ensures that even if one stitch were to fail, the rest remain intact, built not just for strength, but for longevity.

Look closely and you’ll find the quiet signatures of both Vario and RIOS1931, a mark of shared values between two independent, family-run makers committed to doing things the right way.

From the choice of leather to the way it’s constructed, this strap pays respect to a tradition of craftsmanship that has defined the finest leather goods for generations. Not loud, not trend-driven, just honest materials, thoughtfully made, designed to age with you.

 

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Shop our full range of Vario's premium watch strap 
https://vario.sg/collections/premium-watch-strap

 

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https://vario.sg/blogs/how-to/how-to-clean-and-care-for-your-leather-watch-the-vario-guide

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https://vario.sg/blogs/products/6-reasons-why-changing-your-watch-strap-is-a-good-idea

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https://vario.sg/blogs/products/advice-for-picking-the-right-watch-strap