How to Care for a Leather Watch Strap So It Lasts Years

A hand-made leather strap is meant to age, not wear out. A few simple habits keep it looking good for years.

Keep it away from water

Leather and water do not mix. An occasional splash is fine — wipe it dry — but do not swim, shower or dive in a leather strap. If you want a strap for water, sweat and heat, choose a canvas strap instead, which is light and quick-drying.

Let it breathe

Sweat is the quiet enemy. If you wear a watch daily, rotate between two straps so each dries fully between wears, and loosen the strap a notch in hot weather so air reaches the underside. Our straps are lined with soft Zermatt, which is water-resistant and helps, but no lining likes being damp all day.

Wipe, don't soak

Clean with a dry or barely-damp soft cloth. Do not use soap, alcohol or household cleaners — they strip the finish. For a deeper clean, a small amount of leather conditioner once or twice a year keeps the leather supple, but less is more: over-conditioning darkens and softens leather too much.

Store it flat and out of the sun

Direct sun and heat fade and dry leather. Keep watches out of a sunny window, and store spare straps flat, not curled tight.

Exotic leathers

Alligator and ostrich need the same care as calf, plus one extra: avoid catching the raised scales or follicles on rough surfaces. A conditioner made for exotic leather, used sparingly, keeps the scales from drying.

Expect it to change

Good leather is supposed to develop a patina — lighter on the flex points, deeper at the lugs. That is the strap recording how you wear it, not damage. When it finally does wear out after years, we can make you another, cut to the same size. Questions? Email support@xilugs.com.