Is my watch strap supposed to look this worn?

[doingmahresearch]

I have a leather watch strap, which is supposed to be vegetable-tanned, full-grain leather, with nubuck lining (see attached photo). The strap is in this condition, after about three weeks of use. I showed it to someone more familiar with straps, and he said it isn't supposed to look so worn so soon, and criticized the leather quality. Can anyone verify this? How do I identify good quality leather for watch straps? Put it another way, are there any examples of how "good" leather straps are supposed to look after 3 weeks / a few months /a year? Thanks!

[RockyAussie]

1 hour ago, doingmahresearch said:

I have a leather watch strap, which is supposed to be vegetable-tanned, full-grain leather, with nubuck lining (see attached photo). The strap is in this condition, after about three weeks of use. I showed it to someone more familiar with straps, and he said it isn't supposed to look so worn so soon, and criticized the leather quality. Can anyone verify this? How do I identify good quality leather for watch straps? Put it another way, are there any examples of how "good" leather straps are supposed to look after 3 weeks / a few months /a year? Thanks!

I'd say the wear looks normal but I would have thought the top was not a veg tan just gong on the look and the hole colour green grey . Could be wrong!!

[alpha2]

With leather, you have to be careful how you pull at the strap to get it to the proper hole. The more acute the angle of pull, the more you stretch the leather on the top of the strap. Belts have the same issue, and is why I try to always use roller buckles if possible, it spreads the strain over more area, and doesn't stress the leather as much. This will be more pronounced with a padded strap, as it appears you have there.

Jeff

[doingmahresearch]

Thanks for your replies! So you think the wear looks reasonable? Phew. Yes, I'm not too careful when I put the strap on, and its a padded strap. What should veg-tanned holes look like? Here's another pic:

 

[RockyAussie]

2 minutes ago, doingmahresearch said:

Thanks for your replies! So you think the wear looks reasonable? Phew. Yes, I'm not too careful when I put the strap on, and its a padded strap. What should veg-tanned holes look like? Here's another pic:

 

What makes it not look like veg to me are a few things.1. there is not depth of colour into the hole and it looks like a pigment (paint coat) 2.Veg will normally compress when cut and retain the compression after the punch is removed. 3. The grey colour looks like chrome tan and if it were coloured that way it would have gone into the lining as well. Still I could be wrong. What's your bet?

[Tugadude]

The wear seems reasonable to me but I agree it has some of the hallmarks of vegetable tanned leather.  There is nothing wrong with chrome-tanned leather but if it is advertised as veggie, then that is what it should be.

[Dun]

Full grain leather doesn't mean it wasn't coated/surface correction.
Glued leather layers can crinkle when bent or as stated, the buckle can wear on it. 

although nothing there specifically looks veg tanned, the good news is that it doesn't look cracked. The wear and tear isn't anything structural to worry about quality. It just isn't going to stay formal attire kind of smooth,

[alpha2]

When all is said and done, it's on the buckle side. Not the watch side. But, I understand your concern.

Jeff