Meet Gámi
Updated: 6 hours ago
Author: Sajid Kalla, Founder @ Tauruscamp Design.
“Hey, isn’t that a Gamistrap?”
We believe that’s what someone might say when they spot one in public. And to us, that kind of instant recognition is what makes a watch strap truly distinctive.
Rethinking the Traditional Watch Strap
Traditional straps mostly use two layers of leather joined together with stitching. This construction works well in many cases, but too many stitches will create more points of failure.
Another option is a single-layer leather strap, however, this leaves the rough underside exposed to the skin, where it can absorb sweat and moisture over time.
Another alternative is molded synthetic materials such as silicone or rubber. Practical, but these materials are less breathable against the skin, may eventually tear, and can cause skin irritation in some people. In fact, skin irritation was one of the reasons we designed Gamistrap in the first place.
So, how to create a leather watch strap with less stitching and avoids these compromises?
The Design
Gámi strap is an original, origami-inspired leather watch strap designed by Tauruscamp in Singapore.
Gámi strap is constructed from two pieces of leather that is precisely cut, folded and tucked into itself to form a functional strap, with just one stitch at the buckle.
The strap combines precise geometry, simplicity and craftsmanship, offering a completely different approach to traditional watch strap design.
The Curve
The natural curvature of Gámi strap is achieved through precise measurements and carefully adjusted folds, rather than forcing the leather into shape through multiple layers, gluing and stitching, as in traditional strap construction.
Smooth Underside
Leather has two sides: the smooth grain side and the rough flesh side. In a traditional single-layer leather strap, the rough side usually rests directly against the skin.
Gámi's unique folding construction allows the smooth grain side to wrap around and form part of the underside of the strap, creating a more comfortable surface against the wrist. This is particularly useful in warm and humid conditions, where sweat and moisture can become a concern.
A New Chapter in Watch Strap Design
In 1973, the British Ministry of Defence introduced what later became known as the NATO strap. Originally designed for military use, its distinctive construction offered a simple, one piece strap to secure a watch to the wrist.
More than 50 years later, the NATO strap remains one of the most recognisable watch strap designs.
We believe meaningful new design begins by understanding the relationship between a product's function and its existing design. By questioning why things are made the way they are, we can explore entirely different ways to achieve the same function.
Inspired by origami, we introduced a different approach to constructing a leather watch strap.
Nothing decorative. Every fold has a function.
Just as the NATO strap developed its own identity through a distinctive construction, we sincerely hope Gámi strap will establish its own place in the evolution of watch strap design.
Handcrafted in Singapore.
Visit gamistrap.com
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Explore Gamistrap Collections: taurucamp.com/gami
The Gamistrap design is the original work of Tauruscamp Design Pte Ltd. Its distinctive design has been filed for intellectual property protection under Design Application No. 30202601359V.
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