Cleaning Your Leather Watch Strap

Leather hates two things: water and salt. If you wear a leather strap year-round, both are unavoidable.

Weekly

Wipe down with a microfibre cloth after wear. Pay attention to the underside where sweat collects.

Monthly

• Remove the strap.
• Wipe with a slightly damp cloth (distilled water).
• Apply a thin layer of saddle soap or a dedicated leather cleaner.
• Let dry away from heat.

Quarterly

Condition with a non-greasy leather conditioner — Saphir Renovateur, Bickmore Bick 4. Avoid mink oil (too heavy) and silicone-based products (they seal the pores).

What to never do

• Wear in the shower or pool.
• Dry on a radiator — leather will crack.
• Use saddle soap on suede or nubuck.

When to replace

If the strap shows deep cracks at the spring-bar end, or the colour has rubbed off the lugs — it's done.