Leather straps- are they always rubbish?
Discussion
Bit of a quandary really.
I wear my watch all the time and it has an alligator strap which I love.
But it goes through a predictable cycle every time
FIrst 8 months: Looks lovely and new, gets darker and more attractive with use
Second 8 months: Starts to look a bit worn but quite characterful so still nice
Third 8 months: Looks ropey, crap, cheap and knackered.
CUlminating in me going through a lot of hassle and £300+ to get hold of a new one each time and its getting right on my nerves.
Its a complete rip off. £300 or more for a strap that lasts a realistic 2 years (and I dont even take it in water).
Is that always the case with leather straps? Is that the big downside and why so many people tolerate metal ones?
I wear my watch all the time and it has an alligator strap which I love.
But it goes through a predictable cycle every time
FIrst 8 months: Looks lovely and new, gets darker and more attractive with use
Second 8 months: Starts to look a bit worn but quite characterful so still nice
Third 8 months: Looks ropey, crap, cheap and knackered.
CUlminating in me going through a lot of hassle and £300+ to get hold of a new one each time and its getting right on my nerves.
Its a complete rip off. £300 or more for a strap that lasts a realistic 2 years (and I dont even take it in water).
Is that always the case with leather straps? Is that the big downside and why so many people tolerate metal ones?
DO they still last no time at all? Is that just he payback for having leather over metal?
I had already decided I would try aftermarket next time.
Its just a pain to even get a strap fitted for me. No normal jeweller or similar have the right tools to do it so I end up having to make specific trips to somewhere like watch doctors or similar.
I had already decided I would try aftermarket next time.
Its just a pain to even get a strap fitted for me. No normal jeweller or similar have the right tools to do it so I end up having to make specific trips to somewhere like watch doctors or similar.
blindswelledrat said:
DO they still last no time at all? Is that just he payback for having leather over metal?
I had already decided I would try aftermarket next time.
Its just a pain to even get a strap fitted for me. No normal jeweller or similar have the right tools to do it so I end up having to make specific trips to somewhere like watch doctors or similar.
What watch is that?I had already decided I would try aftermarket next time.
Its just a pain to even get a strap fitted for me. No normal jeweller or similar have the right tools to do it so I end up having to make specific trips to somewhere like watch doctors or similar.
blindswelledrat said:
DO they still last no time at all? Is that just he payback for having leather over metal?
I had already decided I would try aftermarket next time.
Its just a pain to even get a strap fitted for me. No normal jeweller or similar have the right tools to do it so I end up having to make specific trips to somewhere like watch doctors or similar.
Get yourself a spring bar tool. They're not expensive and you can fit your own straps for ever more.I had already decided I would try aftermarket next time.
Its just a pain to even get a strap fitted for me. No normal jeweller or similar have the right tools to do it so I end up having to make specific trips to somewhere like watch doctors or similar.
skyline501 said:
blindswelledrat said:
DO they still last no time at all? Is that just he payback for having leather over metal?
I had already decided I would try aftermarket next time.
Its just a pain to even get a strap fitted for me. No normal jeweller or similar have the right tools to do it so I end up having to make specific trips to somewhere like watch doctors or similar.
Get yourself a spring bar tool. They're not expensive and you can fit your own straps for ever more.I had already decided I would try aftermarket next time.
Its just a pain to even get a strap fitted for me. No normal jeweller or similar have the right tools to do it so I end up having to make specific trips to somewhere like watch doctors or similar.
I would assume from the OP's post that the watch case/strap is unusual in some way, like some JLCs or APs.
tertius said:
skyline501 said:
blindswelledrat said:
DO they still last no time at all? Is that just he payback for having leather over metal?
I had already decided I would try aftermarket next time.
Its just a pain to even get a strap fitted for me. No normal jeweller or similar have the right tools to do it so I end up having to make specific trips to somewhere like watch doctors or similar.
Get yourself a spring bar tool. They're not expensive and you can fit your own straps for ever more.I had already decided I would try aftermarket next time.
Its just a pain to even get a strap fitted for me. No normal jeweller or similar have the right tools to do it so I end up having to make specific trips to somewhere like watch doctors or similar.
I would assume from the OP's post that the watch case/strap is unusual in some way, like some JLCs or APs.
Hello again. Its a Ulysse Nardin watch. THe strap is not unusual as such, but various jewellers have all said they do not have tools that will work and change the strap. Im afraid I don't really know any more than that.
Ill definitely try some of those options posted.
Back to teh original question: Is a 2 year life for a leather strap pretty normal?
ANyway cheers all.
Ill definitely try some of those options posted.
Back to teh original question: Is a 2 year life for a leather strap pretty normal?
ANyway cheers all.
Can you post a pic of the watch/strap? Someone may suggest a way of changing it yourself.
As to the origional question, how often do you wear the watch?
Does it get rested? ( I know leather shoes benefit from having a day off, possibly the same with a watch strap?)
Anyway, I'm sure PH can find you a cheaper & better strap
As to the origional question, how often do you wear the watch?
Does it get rested? ( I know leather shoes benefit from having a day off, possibly the same with a watch strap?)
Anyway, I'm sure PH can find you a cheaper & better strap
Shaw Tarse said:
Can you post a pic of the watch/strap? Someone may suggest a way of changing it yourself.
As to the origional question, how often do you wear the watch?
Does it get rested? ( I know leather shoes benefit from having a day off, possibly the same with a watch strap?)
Anyway, I'm sure PH can find you a cheaper & better strap
I do wear it literally all the time. Only take it off for showers. I only do the latter because I was testing whether keeping it out of the shower would prolongue the strap life but it hasn't really made any difference.As to the origional question, how often do you wear the watch?
Does it get rested? ( I know leather shoes benefit from having a day off, possibly the same with a watch strap?)
Anyway, I'm sure PH can find you a cheaper & better strap
Ill try and get pictures later.
huwp said:
The first thing I do with a new watch on a leather strap is replace it with a decent after market replacement. I put the original in a drawer until I flip the watch when I replace the original.
That's like buying a car with really nice seats and putting covers on them..........you've paid for the car, but the next owner gets all the benefit
I've just put a toshi on my panerai..... To save the original strap
This thread reminds me that I should get round to changing my Carrera's strap. It's been on it for over 6 years and worn near on everyday. It looks fine until you see the underside!
The Toshi straps look good but it seems they don't do perforated versions.
I'll wait for a while before I check IWC strap prices as I feel it may depress me!
The Toshi straps look good but it seems they don't do perforated versions.
I'll wait for a while before I check IWC strap prices as I feel it may depress me!
Definitely go after-market and do it yourself! If I can do it...
I would buy a £10 Argos jobbie to practice on, though, as you could scratch the back of the lugs...
That's what is annoying about leather straps - they go s
te after a while, especially if you wear them when you sweat eg at the gym, hence, most of my regularly-worn watches are on Natos. A bracelet might be an option but I personally cannot stand the feel of wet metal on skin. Rubber or plastic is another possibility, again, depending on the watch, but certain types of plastics and rubbers feel awful when wet against the skin, too. Casio G straps seem ok, as do Seiko Z straps; my Baby G strap has a very shiny surface and feels clammy when wet, though.
Imagine if I'd put as much thought into, I dunno, world hunger or a cure for cancer or the economic depression as I do watch straps...
I would buy a £10 Argos jobbie to practice on, though, as you could scratch the back of the lugs...
That's what is annoying about leather straps - they go s
te after a while, especially if you wear them when you sweat eg at the gym, hence, most of my regularly-worn watches are on Natos. A bracelet might be an option but I personally cannot stand the feel of wet metal on skin. Rubber or plastic is another possibility, again, depending on the watch, but certain types of plastics and rubbers feel awful when wet against the skin, too. Casio G straps seem ok, as do Seiko Z straps; my Baby G strap has a very shiny surface and feels clammy when wet, though. Imagine if I'd put as much thought into, I dunno, world hunger or a cure for cancer or the economic depression as I do watch straps...
Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff