Since 2012, Jean Paul Menicucci has been our trusted craftsman for exclusive leather products such as watch bands, pouches, boxes, and trays.
And of course our exclusive Apple Leather Watch Bands.
Located near the Tuscan city of Lucca, his manufacture meticulously crafts each band with up to 45 minutes of handwork and multiple steps. Jean Paul's passion for watches and style, coupled with his commitment to handcrafting, has made him a valuable ally and friend. Let's shine a light on JPM!
All the products we offer in collaboration with Jean Paul Menicucci are exclusively crafted for us, combining our drive for innovation with his expertise in materials and artisanal skills. This partnership felt like a natural fit from the beginning, as Bernhard recalls: "When I started looking for watch bands that truly elevated the watches we love, I found the options in the market to be too ordinary and conventional. To me, a leather watch band should exude personality and evoke emotions - a certain charm that imbues a 'worn-in' feel even when paired with a brand-new timepiece. It was an obvious choice for us to collaborate with JP on creating the best Apple Watch bands."
A Bit More Exclusive
At the time, Jean Paul had only been in the watch bands business for about two years himself – before that, he had already seen success in the fashion world by producing leather belts: „When Bernhard and I began working seven years ago, we started with a standard production. But by the second or third order, we had already proceeded to give things a little more edge, more patina, make it a bit more exclusive. At my workshop, I have fifty or sixty kinds of leather available at any given time, and I always try to make it different with Bernhard, using something I generally don’t use for other clients.“
Family Owned.Family Operated.
The uniqueness of Bulang and Sons bands crafted by JPM lies in their material quality and the intricate process involved in their creation. The leathers are vegetably tanned and handled with utmost care at the Lucca workshop, resulting in a super soft and comfortable texture. The JPM manufacture is a family-owned business, where Jean Paul's mother, father, and other skilled family members handcraft each luxury leather item using traditional methods. Each vintage-style watch band requires several steps and can take up to an hour to complete, which showcases their dedication to detail. It is this meticulousness that sets JPM leather products apart from those of other manufacturers.
Experience a behind-the-scenes glimpse of our process and the incredible passion required to craft our unique leather products by watching our lovely movie.
A glimpse behind the scenes
The leather selection is critical in the crafting process. The majority of the leathers are made from premium calf hides sourced from France or Germany, then refined in the original tanneries of Tuscany, where they acquire a distinct depth and character that is hard to come by nowadays. Several of these leathers are also used for the bags and other items by well-known luxury brands like Prada or Bottega Veneta, while others are ideal for our collections. According to Jean Paul, "When I have a unique leather that I think is suitable for Bulang and Sons, there's a 99.9% chance that Bernhard will approve of it. And the same goes for things we don't like. It's fantastic to work together when you understand each other so well."
Win-Win and even more Winning
Bulang and Sons collaborates closely with Jean Paul Menicucci in developing collections. Bernhard and his team work on the concepts, styles, and details, while Jean Paul contributes his knowledge, craftsmanship, and creativity, resulting in successful exclusivities such as the latest Joie De Vivre Collection.
Sometimes, it works the other way around, and Jean Paul introduces new leather, innovative colors, or product ideas that come from his deep passion for watches and style. This mutually beneficial partnership continues to thrive..
Heart and Soul
Bernhard and his team frequently visit Jean Paul for both business and leisure purposes. During their time together, they visit tanneries, brainstorm new ideas, and take breaks for pasta or coffee. According to Bernhard, these experiences make the products more personal. He notes that Jean Paul is a fellow watch enthusiast, just like the team at Bulang and Sons. They share a desire to create watch bands that complement beautiful watches, which was the motivation for their partnership. Over the years, their bond has grown stronger as they bring fresh heart and soul to the often-conservative watch industry. As iconoclasts, they are not finished yet.
