Leather Strap Watches

The material decides how it ages. Calf is the standard, softens within weeks and lasts a couple of years in daily wear. Shell cordovan holds its shape far longer and creases in gentle ripples rather than folds. Suede is the most striking and the least weatherproof. None is genuinely waterproof, so a leather strap on a watch you swim in is a strap you will replace.

Fit deserves as much attention as appearance. Padded straps taper less and suit larger cases; flat unlined straps sit closer to the wrist and suit dress watches. Quick-release spring bars, now common at every price, make changing between them a matter of seconds.

The section includes both watches sold on leather and watches that wear particularly well on it.

Leather Strap Watches holds 1139 models across 89 brands, from £15 to £146,000. Half cost less than £325, and a quarter less than £150. 461 of 1139 are automatic. 400 are stocked by more than one retailer, giving 1564 offers in total. Longines lists more references here than any other brand. Prices are checked nightly against the retailers’ own feeds.