hey guys,
I've never really given much thought to maintaining leather straps - when they went kaput after about 2 years of use, I just changed them.

But now that I've been using those custom short straps, it doesn't make sense financially to keep changing straps. Someone told me that I should be using some leather conditioners / creams to keep the leather supple so they'd last longer, but when I tried googling, there was a bewildering range of options (mostly for shoes) which left me confused.

So I thought I'd ask you guys:
1. What do you guys do? Do you maintain your watch straps?
2. If you do, what products have you used before, and how were the results?
3. Should I use different cleaners / conditioners for different straps - eg. for croc vs ostrich vs calf?

Thanks!

 

I would treat them the same as other leather products, shoes etc. I guess the products depends on what is wrong. For normal maintainence you can probably use a leather balsam with beeswax and wool wax. If the leather is almost broken or very dry (probably not the typical problem with watch straps, more like harness and saddle problems) you should use leather oil. Lots of products: Belvoir, Gold Quality etc. Not an expert on leather though...

 

I will give my shell cordovan strap som beeswax and lanolin and let you know of the result

 

I follow the advice of my sister in law, she is the heir to a leather jacket and shoe business in Spain. Years ago I asked her and she said. "Leather is skin, use skin conditioner. Nivea will do. Just make sure you apply it on broad strokes and cover all the area at the same time so that there are no absorption streaks." And that's what I do. Nivea or any other skin cream.

 

My maintenance schedule:

1) Buy strap
2) Install strap
3) Wear strap until it expires
4) Repeat steps 1 - 3

You get tired of one in a few years anyway.

 

Good advise here.

 

Or

1) buy strap
2) install strap
3) wear strap till it breaks and watch falls to the ground
4) repair strap and buy new watch
5) repeat step 2-4 endlessly

 

Mostly agree with Dennis. However if you're foolish enough to blow a "nickle" on a custom ABP strap try Lexol.
Before installing: Put a little on the tips of your fore-finger and thumb and rub it in on both sides of each strap.
Let if dry the brush with a horsehair shoe brush. Use a tooth-pick and clean out the buckle and spring-bar holes.
Be advised that this with somewhat darken lighter color straps. Also not advised to use on white stitched straps.

 

@NT931

The response to your question probably lies somewhere between the two answers below, with a dash of personal preference; following the steps on Sergio's suggestion will probably buy you some time between steps 2 and 3 on Dennis's maintenance schedule....

 

I use this onePurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network. Does it help? Not sure.

 

You can use a number of different leather products, a Danish upholsterer who was interviewed for an article used nothing but soap flakes for maintaining the 60 years+ Danish classic furniture pieces. The strap will need to be of a decent quality to begin with, however. Also, note that using anything on it will darken it somewhat.

 

Thanks guys! Lots of useful suggestions

 

If the strap is in otherwise good condition, but just has a smell to it, try putting it in the freezer for a few days. It will kill the bacteria and reduce the smell considerably. You can place the strap in a plastic bag to keep it away from any food product in the freezer also.

Cheers, Al

 

Thanks for the freezer tip. That's probably more effective and less degrading than what I've done.

Received an internet auction watch from Portugal. Had a vintage chestnut lizard strap on it that lent itself to the watch's overall good appearance. The strap smelled to high-heaven though. I took it off the watch and left it in the bed of the pickup, on the black bed liner in the sun, for a few days while only driving to the office or making local runs. Cured the strap but the sun might cause fading and deterioration.

 

Now try the Lexol ;-)

 

Watch Strap Balsam here - http://www.whosewatch.com/balsam.php

 

nice first post.
awaking a 2 year old thread and posting spam all in one wack

 

But his example picture shows a sueded watch band when the product says do not use on suede....

 

I actually prefer the sun, especially if mildew is involved---as it often is on leather watch bands. Freezing, even for extended periods, will not kill the fungi responsible for mildew.