Anyone have experience getting a cracked watch strap fixed?

[fatpauljackson]

I bought ~10 hornback alligator straps from L'Atelier du Bracelet Parisien (ABP). Most of them turned out fine, but 3 - 4 of them have already cracked upon first wear. When the leather cracks, you see some white underneath which is very noticeable in certain colors like this:

ABP - unfortuantely living up to their French reputation - is basically extremely unhelpful in this matter over email despite the large order and the items being pretty pricey. I figure I'll take them to the store next time I'm in Paris whenver that is, but wanted to check if anyone had any experience getting something like this fixed? If the leather is cracked, is it even fixable? Or can they just paint over it and it's not a huge deal?

Thanks!

 

[Mute]

Not really fixable given the need to flex for wear. If this is only after 3 uses i don't think a refund is unreasonable.

 

[fatpauljackson]

Not really fixable given the need to flex for wear. If this is only after 3 uses i don't think a refund is unreasonable.

Thanks - that was my suspicion. It was after just trying on, hornback scales are really thick but there's really no excuse for this. This order was a long time ago, I'm just getting around to fixing it now... but being French they were too keen to go out of there way to help someone far away in America.

 

[NORE]

That is unfortunate. I would try conditioning, followed by perhaps painting/dyeing the cracked areas. Maybe the conditioning might soften them up, making them more pliable, and even darken those areas in the process.

I have a few exotic straps and make sure to condition them and store them in a temp controlled box. And by that I mean my watch box on top of my dresser or in a bag in a drawer in said dresser 😄

 

[fatpauljackson]

That is unfortunate. I would try conditioning, followed by perhaps painting/dyeing the cracked areas. Maybe the conditioning might soften them up, making them more pliable, and even darken those areas in the process.

I have a few exotic straps and make sure to condition them and store them in a temp controlled box. And by that I mean my watch box on top of my dresser or in a bag in a drawer in said dresser 😄

Interesting, thanks the suggestion. Worth s try. I was thinking of just putting some colored shoe cream or something in the spots anyway.