Should You Wear A Leather Strap on Your Dive Watch?
Ever wondered if a leather strap would be acceptable to use with your Diver watch? The preconception that leather and water don’t mix would be accurate in most cases but when it comes to straps and dive watches specifically it is possible to use a leather strap, with some limitations. This is where we’ll be discussing all of the relevant details about the why, how, and when leather can be used for diving watches, and the point at which leather watches become redundant.
Although you will likely find many divers watches coming standard with the more commonly used straps like rubber, nylon, or stainless steel; the look and feel of a leather strap can prove superior. The questions to consider though are how well leather straps work, what should you as a wearer look out for in your leather preference, and what kind of maintenance is required to extend the life of your strap?
With this, let us explore the options, variables, and preferential details that encompass owning a leather strap for a diver watch together!
Why Leather Straps for Dive Watches?
What drives the preference for leather when exploring the depths of the water over other viable options? This is certainly the conundrum and it’s quite commonly known that leather is a porous material, usually easily damaged by water and sweat. As for durability, leather needs to be maintained more frequently to improve its longevity compared to other materials, even then a leather strap will show more wear and tear far sooner.
As for water-resistant leather, it is treated with wax-coating during the tanning process to help block water from seeping into the leather, preventing deformation of the leather. This treated leather retains a velvet texture and feel, fitting smoothly on the wearer's wrist, with very little friction during movement. The smooth or velvet feel of the strap becomes a sought-after factor for some considering using leather.
As for the aesthetics of this wax-treated product, leather has always retained a level of elegance and class when used in unison with wristwatches, a symbol of one's position and tastes. Plus, for those who are looking for less of a flashy style, a leather strap is perfect, while also pairing well with different clothing pairs.
Practical Considerations and Limitations
Some things to consider when choosing a leather strap are factors like; practicality, durability, and comfort, a few points we’ll touch on in this section.
Practicality
While normal leather is impractical in the use of diving, with the wax-treated leather used for diving watches, it becomes far easier to maintain that classy feel and the reliability of a strap. However, this is limited to a maximum of 300m water resistance, with the necessity to maintain your strap with a leather treatment solution with consistent use in saltwater environments.
Fashioning your own strap is out of the question unless you’re looking to make your own, this is because the most important factor in its water resistance is the treatment during tanning that creates the application for diving. For many dive timepieces that do provide waterproof leather straps, you’ll likely find that they’re made out of full-grain leather, and not from variants like vegetable-tanned hides, nubuck, or suede.
Durability
Leather is durable, for the most part, as long as it’s given the necessary care needed to maintain the integrity of the leather. For guidelines on conditioning your leather strap, make sure to approach your local jeweler to get the best outcome. Although the originally treated leather will provide many an adventure into the depths, eventually it will likely need to be replaced.
Comfort
For the compromise one might take in opting for leather over other materials, leather remains a favorite for many being a viable hypoallergenic material. Considering how many individuals have varying allergic reactions to more common materials, leather proves to be a generally positive choice to avoid any nasty rashes or adverse effects from extensive wear. As for the texture, the velvet-like finish is far less abrasive on the skin, leading to less friction caused by rashes or pinching of the skin.
Passed the 300m water resistance mark, leather becomes extremely unviable for extended use and will need replacing far sooner. Keep that in mind and maybe swap out your chosen waterproof leather strap for a more durable option if you’re submerging the strap more often and for greater lengths of time.
Alternatives for Water-Resistant Leather Straps
If you’re committed to the leather look after you’ve bought your favorite wristwatch and looking for that element of water resistance, there are some options available to you. Firstly, there is a waterproof option that makes use of both cordura and leather, cordura is a highly durable material that serves to improve the lifespan of a strap. Keep in mind, Cordura is made from nylon usually, but can be made from cotton and other natural fibers.
For a non-leather alternative, silicon straps offer a clean look and feel, are less porous, and are far more durable requiring less maintenance. The aesthetics is a lot cheaper in most cases than leather but for those who like the texture less, with the reliability of a waterproof leather strap, silicon can be suitable to some.
Some consideration for the reader, should you be one of the few unlucky few who can’t wear leather, Cordura straps with leather lining are usually a good second-best option when looking for the look and feel of a full leather strap.
Maintenance Tips for Leather-Strapped Dive Watches
Owning a leather strap for your watch means being a bit more mindful of your strap and giving it frequent care. Below we’ll go over some of the steps you can take to ensure you get the most value out of your strap.
Clean regularly with a damp, soft cloth, making use of mild cleaning solutions, if necessary.
Rinse off any cleaning solutions after use, and make sure to air dry the strap before conditioning.
Regularly apply a leather conditioner to prevent the leather from drying out. Make sure to properly work the conditioner into the leather before leaving to dry.
Make sure the leather strap is removed from the watch and cleaned separately for effective cleaning.
Avoid exposing the watch to high heat or sunlight for extended periods and rather air dry the leather under shade.
Follow these steps to get the most out of your waterproof leather strap, making sure to use soft cloth and not household cleaning accessories like sponges or cleaning cloths. This is also because you can affect the integrity of your leather strap and end up with mold growing on your leather. Getting rid of mold can prove to damage the leather, but it is possible to use a diluted solution of rubbing alcohol and vinegar or a mildew-resistant cleaner. The leather conditioner does usually the job of preventing and treatment, for starting signs of mold on your leather.
Conclusion: Is a leather strap right for your dive watch?
If your go-to is leather and you’re a frequent diver, a waterproof leather strap can certainly be an option for you, as long as you keep the limitations of your strap in mind. Leather is a great material in general for hypoallergenic purposes as well as not being very abrasive against the skin. All in all it is a preferential choice to use leather over more commonly used materials.
So, are you a fan of the classy feel and look of leather both in and out of the water, and don’t mind a little leather maintenance? Then a waterproof leather strap is for you! But, if durability is an issue as the strap will likely experience plenty of wear and tear then it is not recommended as your main choice. We’re not saying you shouldn’t get one, but if possible, keep a spare as an option to swap out with your frequented strap. With a water resistance up to 300m though, a waterproof leather strap can still hold up for those adventurous excursions into the depths.
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