Help please. I have 2 watches both needing new straps; a 60s gold plated Seamaster with black dial (my dads) & an 80s De Ville gold with gold dial Megaquartz 32 (cal 1320) which I bought new when young, callow & unappreciative of mechanical movements.

I seem to go through leather straps very quickly; both currently are Hirsch from their cheaper end bought a year ago. One which gets by far the most use has completely worn away the surface of the leather next to the top lugs presumably due to long hours at a computer/tablet or even putting my hands in my pockets. The other just looks battered & old although it's also usually worn when biking round the forest near us.

I like the look & feel of animal skin rather than synthetic & thought crocodile or alligator might be more hardwearing & elegant if rather more expensive; is this so & any suggestions?

 

Yes, crocodile and alligator do wear better. Lizard and eel wear even better. But keep in mind that if they’re lined with calfskin, you’ll still have the same problem.

 

For the price of two half-decent straps, you could also get a decent Casio or Seiko for your cycling adventures

 

I see my laziness has soon been recognised.

Any recommendations for brand of strap?

 

Seems to me that bracelets might work better for you.

 

Hirsch straps are nice but they are just a good strap. Plenty of brands around that and above and below the Price range.

But once you go to a more expensive well made strap you will never go back.

Plenty of brands of well made straps and be prepared to spend good money for them. Italian made straps are worth the price.


Not sure of brand but you can see the difference between below and a Hirsch strap.




Pony up for a nice strap and you will not look back

 

Omega OEM straps are gorgeous, but IMHO, outrageously priced.

 

I've had some for decades, so maybe not? But I admit I usually wear bracelets if I can.

 

Or, if you don’t want the texture of the reptiles, how about Horween Genuine Shell Cordovan? They last very long and look good for a long, long time. NOMOS makes some that are really good and relatively affordable, weirdly.

 

The best wearing straps I've had by far are buffalo. Tough as hell and I only replace them when the keepers wear out. You can also substantially lengthen the life of a leather strap by putting it on a deployant buckle which eliminates the bending back and forth required for a standard buckle. Some places even offer straps made just for deployants, as the proportions of each side vary a bit to allow the deployant to seat in the right spot on your wrist.

 

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The only real way anyone can tell the difference is that one will see you later; the other, in a while

 

Surely one must be snappier

 

I’ve tried lizard and have made snake and alligator straps (these monsters here), but got tired of them pretty fast. These monsters cannot leave Canada. Well, Boris Karloff came and went as he pleased. Spend good money on a good leather one as mentioned above.

 

Once when these items were still attached to their original owners. They could withstand wear and tear.

Once removed and gone through various tanning processes. All skins will begin to break down over time and use.

Riding a bike with a leather strap is not the best way to preserve it and make it last

Maybe pants with smaller pockets Can't see how sitting at a computer wears away at the strap. I've been doing it for 22 years. Typing upside down?

I would suggest finding straps with quick release spring bars and swapping out the straps every few days. 3 straps per watch. Allows them to dry out if needed and a stress rest

DON

 

Being a left handed incompetent seems to do it ok. The outside surface appears to have been abraded by the desk. Never happened when I designed kitchens with pencil & paper.

 

Then there's always ABP that offers small grain alligator lining on it's already expensive alligator custom mage straps $$$

 

My crocodile boots need conditioning every month, my cordovan boots get brushed off every season and conditioned once a year or so. Crocodile leather is comparatively weak between the scales, it's just about the most delicate leather possible. As well as the already mentioned cordovan and buffalo leathers (which are excellent suggestions), I'd suggest looking into kangaroo leather, which is the strongest leather for its weight.

 

Just looked up ABP & while they look great & seem top quality I coughed a bit at £300-500

 

I traded for a pair of Kangaroo Jump Boots while I was in Vietnam.
They wore like iron but were light weight and very comfortable