How is a watch strap supposed to feel?

[Klara]

I made a first strap from chrome tanned leather (lamb nappa on the inside) which turned out ugly but comfortable. 

My second one is from veg tan (same leather on the inside) and looks better, I think, but it feels stiff and uncomfortable. 

The thing is, I bought an Orient Blue Moon (very reasonably priced as automatic watch go) with leather strap and it also feels stiff and uncomfortable. So how is a good watch strap supposed to feel? 

Is it worth greasing/oiling the red leather (from the underside for a new strap, the red is a sort of coating) or should that have been done during tanning (i. e. do I need to find a different leather) ?

 

[fredk]

I think you have found the 'kings new clothes' syndrome with watch straps

ALL  the straps I've come across have been very stiff and uncomfortable to wear and they don't soften up. When enquiries were made the answers were " they are all like that, thats how they're supposed to be, no-one makes a 'soft' one because they're all supposed to be stiff" , et cetera, et cetera

A watchband should be comfortable to wear. So comfortable that you forget you are wearing it. But just try finding one like that on the market

Your nappa one looks fine to me. Wear it

[tsunkasapa]

They ALL feel like a handcuff to me. I carry a pocket watch.

[Tugadude]

I don't know why anyone would wear a watch on an uncomfortable strap personally.  I've made several for my own use and all have been very comfortable.  I also recently purchased a watch from Long Island Watch Co., a "Flieger style" pilot's watch that came with a very comfortable leather band.  It was very supple right from the get-go.  

[NeilMott]

I make watch straps mainly out of baseball gloves.  They're soft and thick, but I wear big watches mostly.

For conditioners, try Bicks 4.  I use it when any of my leather is too stiff (from an old glove for instance).

But in general, there is no reason a watch strap should come to you stiff, in my opinion.  Walpier Buttero is a good leather to try for a watch strap.  I'd say any leather described as medium to soft hand should work.  Also can depend on hole placement how it feels.  If you're too tight or too lose, try a different size watch buckle.

Neil

[Klara]

Actually, I've gotten used to the red strap. I'll wait till water contact during paddling has ruined it and then I'll make another one. 

[caressofsteel]

Vegetable tanned leathers can be stiff especially if it is intended for carving as a soft surface will not hold the details well. I have used Horween Chromexcel, which is a combination chrome tan / vegetable tan leather for watch straps and that seems comfortable. 

[nrk]

On 6/23/2022 at 10:30 AM, Klara said:

I made a first strap from chrome tanned leather (lamb nappa on the inside) which turned out ugly but comfortable. 

My second one is from veg tan (same leather on the inside) and looks better, I think, but it feels stiff and uncomfortable. 

The thing is, I bought an Orient Blue Moon (very reasonably priced as automatic watch go) with leather strap and it also feels stiff and uncomfortable. So how is a good watch strap supposed to feel? 

Is it worth greasing/oiling the red leather (from the underside for a new strap, the red is a sort of coating) or should that have been done during tanning (i. e. do I need to find a different leather) ?

 

leather type, making process, gluing/not, sewing/not, one layer, two, three, etc. - it all affects


 

[Klara]

On 6/23/2022 at 2:23 PM, fredk said:

A watchband should be comfortable to wear. So comfortable that you forget you are wearing it. But just try finding one like that on the market

Funnily enough, the steel band on my Invicta Pro Diver's Lady is such a strap and the watch super comfortable. I suspect it's because it fits my arm with its 36 mm - but who knew that a watch needs to actually fit! Not something enthusiasts talk about a lot.... 

[doubleh]

How is a watch strap supposed to feel? So comfortable you don't even notice it's there. That is why I quit wearing leather straps a looong time ago. 

[Simplejack1985]

On 6/23/2022 at 8:56 AM, Tugadude said:

I don't know why anyone would wear a watch on an uncomfortable strap personally.  I've made several for my own use and all have been very comfortable.  I also recently purchased a watch from Long Island Watch Co., a "Flieger style" pilot's watch that came with a very comfortable leather band.  It was very supple right from the get-go.  

I like that watch

[Tugadude]

2 hours ago, Simplejack1985 said:

I like that watch

They are very good watches at reasonable prices.  Longislandwatch.com

[CalgaryJim]

I'm 6 months into making my own leather watch straps. Before that, 18 months buying straps from various sources. Cheap straps (ie, under $20 US) feel cheap and will stay feeling cheap, because poor quality leather such as 'genuine leather' or even no leather at all.  If you buy straps made with high quality leather, for example: Buttero, Minerva, Pueblo, these are all made by Italian tanneries; Zermatt leather by french tannery Haas, it's likely to feel comfortable right away or within a few wears. Firmer leathers will feel stiffer as mentioned above, ie, Buttero. Also, the thickness of these leathers affects their stiffness and break-in time. Many straps will have a layer(s) of reinforcement to reduce or prevent the leather from stretching over time, this could be Velodon (very thing synthetic fiber) or bonded leather such as brand names Salamander or Salpa. Bonded leather reinforcement will keep the leather feeling stiffer than Velodon because it's a lot thicker (ie, 0.4mm versus 0.05mm).

I own a strap by Colareb in Italy, it's about 2mm thick, single layer, smooth on the backside. It's quite supple. I don't wear it regularly but it's definitely stretching out in a way lined straps don't.

High quality supple leather lined with Zermatt and using Velodon will feel the most comfortable from the start. I use Salpa when I need the added thickness between my top leather and Zermatt lining. Otherwise it's Velodon.