RIOS1931 TULA Genuine Leather Bund Watch Strap in COGNAC

£49.95

Band Width

RIOS1931 TULA Genuine Leather Bund Watch Strap in COGNAC

£49.95

Free U.K Delivery, 90 Day Risk-Free Trial & Lifetime Guarantee.

Band Width

Your special order strap will be delivered between 10 and 14.

Description

RIOS1931 TULA | Genuine Leather Bund Watch Strap – Cognac

Built for comfort. Crafted for character.

The RIOS1931 TULA is a premium Bund-style watch strap made from genuine Russian leather in a rich Cognac tone. Originally developed for military aviators, the Bund strap features a full leather backing pad that sits between the watch and your skin—ideal for those with metal allergies or anyone looking to preserve their timepiece in pristine condition.

What sets the TULA apart is its extraordinary leather. Bark-tanned and infused with birch oil using a centuries-old Russian technique, this material offers natural water resistance, impressive durability, and a rich, earthy aroma. It’s a strap that wears in beautifully and tells a story with time.

Behind the craftsmanship is RIOS1931, a third-generation, family-run German strap maker. Founded by Oswald Riemer in 1931, RIOS1931 has nearly a century of experience producing exceptional watch straps. They’ve mastered the balance of traditional methods and modern innovation—resulting in straps known for their beauty, durability, and refined details. One of their standout touches is the incredibly realistic embossing found on their calfskin straps, a testament to their passion for detail and quality.

Key Features:

  • Handmade in Germany by RIOS1931 – Watch Straps Since 1931

  • Each strap is crafted and hand stitched by skilled artisans

  • Bund-style construction for added comfort and case-back protection

  • Genuine Russia leather: bark-tanned and birch oil-treated

  • Cognac tone with natural patina potential

  • Naturally water-resistant and long-wearing

  • Traditional spring bar fitment – compatible with most watches

  • Dimensions: Total Length 114mm/82mm

    Bund Width 42mm, Leather thickness 2.5mm

  • Available in three widths: 18mm, 20mm, 22mm

Whether you're into vintage aviation style or just appreciate heritage leatherwork, the TULA in Cognac is a timeless piece of wristwear engineering.

Please note: Watches shown are for illustration only and are not included.

The RIOS1931 BUND are special order watch straps and typical delivery time is ten working days. 

A Brief History of the Bund-Style Watch Strap

The Bund strap—short for Bundeswehr, the German word for "Federal Defence Force"—has its roots in military aviation. Originally developed for the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) during the 1960s and 70s, this distinctive strap design features a leather backing pad that sits between the watch and the wrist.

The purpose? Function and protection.

Military pilots operated in extreme conditions, where metal watch cases could become painfully cold at high altitudes or dangerously hot in sun-exposed cockpits. The full leather backing acted as a barrier, shielding the wearer’s skin from these temperature extremes. It also served a second role: protecting the watch case from sweat and body oils, which could corrode the case back over time—especially important for mechanical tool watches used in active service.

Bund straps gained wider recognition when NASA astronaut Paul Weitz wore one on a chronograph during the Skylab 2 mission in 1973, reinforcing its association with rugged reliability.

Today, Bund-style straps are popular with collectors and enthusiasts for their vintage military aesthetic, extra comfort, and wrist protection—making them a standout option for tool watches, field watches, and aviation-inspired pieces.

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Special order

Every individual detail crafted by hand, worth the wait.

Every watch strap in our special order collection is hand stitched and finished by our strap ateliers - unlike a machine made strap, each strap takes time to prepare, cut, stitch, polish and finish. They are made with the ultimate attention to detail and perfection.

Please allow approximately 10–14 working days for creation and delivery.

If you have an immediate requirement or you are working towards a gifting date then feel free to explore and consider a watch strap from one of our other collections for faster delivery times.

Hide & Tone

The finest materials, a unique character

Our leathers are sourced exclusively from the world’s most renowned tanneries, ensuring only the highest grade full-grain hides. Each piece of leather carries its own natural fingerprint — the grain, subtle marks, tonal shifts, and scars that speak to its authenticity.

Every hide is hand-dyed by skilled artisans, creating nuanced variations in depth, patina, and finish. The result is a strap that is not only crafted to perfection but also entirely individual — a creation as unique as it's owner.

Threadwork & Edge Finish

Thread by thread, edge by edge — finished with the craftsman’s hand

Each bespoke strap is hand-stitched using the traditional saddle stitch — two needles and waxed linen thread, worked in perfect symmetry. Unlike machine stitching, this method ensures unrivalled strength; if one stitch gives way, the others remain securely in place.

The edges are then masterfully finished — either dyed and sealed with edge paint, or burnished with gum tragacanth or beeswax. Burnishing is a patient process of rubbing the leather with a wooden or bone slicker until it develops a rich, glossy seal. Multiple rounds of sanding, painting, and polishing follow, creating edges as flawless as the strap itself.

Padding & perforations

Proportion, comfort, craftsmanship

Our straps are crafted with a choice of padding styles — from refined, slim profiles to richly contoured silhouettes.

Padding lends depth and architecture, giving the strap a more commanding presence on the wrist. With wear, it softens gracefully, moulding to your wrist while retaining its form.

For those seeking both airflow and a distinctive aesthetic, perforated designs combine breathability with bold character.

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