Watch enthusiasts and leather strap questions

[ducatiti]

So majority of us here condition and polish our shoes out of the box.

Do you fellow watch enthusiasts out there do the same for your new leather straps. I have various OEM calf and gator straps but tend to condition them after six months or so to keep them hydrated, and even use saphir reptan for exotic skin straps.

That being said, I just purchased another OEM Omega brown strap. It feels and looks kind of dried but don’t want to ruin the matte finish by applying Renovateur.

What do you guys do? Condition now or wait?

 

[ThatGuy]

I don't give a flying beep about watch straps. I wear them and toss them out when they begin to look cheap/ show age.

 

[ducatiti]

I don't give a flying beep about watch straps. I wear them and toss them out when they begin to look cheap/ show age.

That's great but I'm tend to take care of them as some cost than my shoes that will outlive me. Here is one I've had for four years now... Paid $580 for the strap alone, and wouldn't want to throw that away

 

[ThatGuy]

That's great but I'm tend to take care of them as some cost than my shoes that will outlive me. Here is one I've had for four years now... Paid $580 for the strap alone, and wouldn't want to throw that away

View attachment 1943685

I know a guy who buys nice watches, removes the straps and puts on the cheapest nastiest leather straps on when he wants to wear it. He's basically the type of person that tries to keep everything new, so most stuff that comes covered in plastic... you know... still has it. So, nah, I wouldn't waste my time on leather products and care for a watch strap.

 

[Woofa]

Paging @DavidLane
Perhaps you can help on this question.

 

[DavidLane]

Hello all! Due to the nature of leather watch straps having direct contact to skin, they do have a limited lifespan. Here are a few things that have helped over the years (in order)

1. Try not to wear the same strap everyday. Allowing the leather to dry overnight away from heat will do a lot to lengthen the lifespan.

2. Don't wear your watch in the water/shower. A few dips in the pool are fine here and there, but continuous exposure to water will shorten its life by half.

3. Nose grease. Gross, but very effective to replenish the oils. I do this once every couple of weeks. In a café if you want to get attention, at home if you want to remain anonymous. If you don't like that, I really like any fat based leather balm. Obenauf's LP, dubbin, Smith's, or straight up neatsfoot oil. A very small amount, don't overdo it.

4. Embrace the patina. Every quality leather will get better with age, and look better (imo) the more you use it. Same leather shown below, one with use, one new:

-DL

 

[zippyh]

I don’t think I’ve ever conditioned any of my straps. My daily is usually something with a bracelet but I do wear something on croc periodically.

I’d think it’s more important to condition the inside of the strap.

I have straps going on 20 years not showing much wear to speak of.

 

[ThatGuy]

Hello all! Due to the nature of leather watch straps having direct contact to skin, they do have a limited lifespan. Here are a few things that have helped over the years (in order)

1. Try not to wear the same strap everyday. Allowing the leather to dry overnight away from heat will do a lot to lengthen the lifespan.

2. Don't wear your watch in the water/shower. A few dips in the pool are fine here and there, but continuous exposure to water will shorten its life by half.

3. Nose grease. Gross, but very effective to replenish the oils. I do this once every couple of weeks. In a café if you want to get attention, at home if you want to remain anonymous. If you don't like that, I really like any fat based leather balm. Obenauf's LP, dubbin, Smith's, or straight up neatsfoot oil. A very small amount, don't overdo it.

4. Embrace the patina. Every quality leather will get better with age, and look better (imo) the more you use it. Same leather shown below, one with use, one new:
View attachment 1943863
-DL

This Nose Grease you speak of is so incredibly awesome.