Favorite Watch With a Leather Band?

[RxLeyland]

Hi all! What is your favorite watch with a leather band?

I am in my research phase of buying my first rep or gen luxury watch. In my searches, a leather band seems to tone down a watch and make it less flashy and more fitting to a business casual style that I can wear for work everyday. I love the look of lighter brown leather bands. Please also share if you have suggestions on quality bands, why you might prefer a non-leather band, and even if you have a unique metal band that fits an everyday style. Even better, do you have a watch that has interchangeable bands? I am drawn to Rolex’s and recently found a sweet explorer. Share a pic of you can!

 

[Caboose]

Hi all! What is your favorite watch with a leather band?

I am in my research phase of buying my first rep or gen luxury watch. In my searches, a leather band seems to tone down a watch and make it less flashy and more fitting to a business casual style that I can wear for work everyday. I love the look of lighter brown leather bands. Please also share if you have suggestions on quality bands, why you might prefer a non-leather band, and even if you have a unique metal band that fits an everyday style. Even better, do you have a watch that has interchangeable bands? I am drawn to Rolex’s and recently found a sweet explorer. Share a pic of you can!

As someone who wears almost exclusively bands for comfort, I can probably provide a bit of insight. I really like matching the right band to the watch and situation. Leather for outside of watch, rubber or a NATO for inside of water. Distressed, whether artificially or really aged on a vintage watch, a crocodile on a dressy watch. Lizard to match a pair of shoes, and ostrich to do the same.

Personally I'm a huge fan of Fluco bands as they have nice grain but the Horween straps on AliEx are also nice as the straps age really well and do not need to be worn in to be comfy.

We could talk about genuine leather, full grain, etc. as they are all marketing terms, but I'd look these up so you have an understanding of what type of leather strap you are buying.

Finally, fitted bands that contour to the case are nice, but I've never liked them.

For custom bands I do recommend ZicZac as those are affordable and relatively high quality. Avoid stuff like strapsCo on eBay, but Dassari is nice, and IW Suisse are good.

 

[Karbon74]

distressed very dark brown leather on a 1016

 

[Maximillian]

Pam 127 would be my choice.

 

[TESLA760]

Panerai 372

 

[Karbon74]

this one is inbound

 

[RxLeyland]

As someone who wears almost exclusively bands for comfort, I can probably provide a bit of insight. I really like matching the right band to the watch and situation. Leather for outside of watch, rubber or a NATO for inside of water. Distressed, whether artificially or really aged on a vintage watch, a crocodile on a dressy watch. Lizard to match a pair of shoes, and ostrich to do the same.

Personally I'm a huge fan of Fluco bands as they have nice grain but the Horween straps on AliEx are also nice as the straps age really well and do not need to be worn in to be comfy.

We could talk about genuine leather, full grain, etc. as they are all marketing terms, but I'd look these up so you have an understanding of what type of leather strap you are buying.

Finally, fitted bands that contour to the case are nice, but I've never liked them.

For custom bands I do recommend ZicZac as those are affordable and relatively high quality. Avoid stuff like strapsCo on eBay, but Dassari is nice, and IW Suisse are good.

Thanks for this! This is some great info for me to dive into. When I started, I was like “Just pick a watch… how hard if a decision is that?”. Now I am seeing SO many options on design vs. comfort vs. what I’m wearing vs. where I’m wearing it. Great info.

 

[RxLeyland]

As someone who wears almost exclusively bands for comfort, I can probably provide a bit of insight. I really like matching the right band to the watch and situation. Leather for outside of watch, rubber or a NATO for inside of water. Distressed, whether artificially or really aged on a vintage watch, a crocodile on a dressy watch. Lizard to match a pair of shoes, and ostrich to do the same.

Personally I'm a huge fan of Fluco bands as they have nice grain but the Horween straps on AliEx are also nice as the straps age really well and do not need to be worn in to be comfy.

We could talk about genuine leather, full grain, etc. as they are all marketing terms, but I'd look these up so you have an understanding of what type of leather strap you are buying.

Finally, fitted bands that contour to the case are nice, but I've never liked them.

For custom bands I do recommend ZicZac as those are affordable and relatively high quality. Avoid stuff like strapsCo on eBay, but Dassari is nice, and IW Suisse are good.

Thanks for this! This is some great info for me to dive into. When I started, I was like “Just pick a watch… how hard if a decision is that?”. Now I am seeing SO many options on design vs. comfort vs. what I’m wearing vs. where I’m wearing it. Great info.

 

[Karbon74]

you should also try the high rated sellers on Etsy. Especially those in Ukraine and Vietnam.

I have a 16.5 wrist, so stock straps are often too big. A custom size strap made of great leather is something else. You can also find rep buckles on AliExpress or Ebay, to complete the look

 

[dpd3672]

distressed very dark brown leather on a 1016

Explorer on a leather strap is classic. It can do anything from a black tie wedding to climbing Mt. Everest. Cheers.

 

[RxLeyland]

Pam 127 would be my choice.

I really like the square style of the Panerai watches and how the have the leather band style locked down. I’m still on the fence with the crown shroud/protector. For anyone who has one, do you notice it when wearing? I should probably go check them out at a jeweler and see one first…

 

[dpd3672]

I really like the square style of the Panerai watches and how the have the leather band style locked down. I’m still on the fence with the crown shroud/protector. For anyone who has one, do you notice it when wearing? I should probably go check them out at a jeweler and see one first…

It makes a very big watch bigger, which is good or bad, depending on your preference.
You really have to try one to see if you like it.

 

[Karbon74]

I really like the square style of the Panerai watches and how the have the leather band style locked down. I’m still on the fence with the crown shroud/protector. For anyone who has one, do you notice it when wearing? I should probably go check them out at a jeweler and see one first…

you can take a Destro (the crown guard is on the left, so it wears better)




or you can go for a Radiomir

 

[Maximillian]

I really like the square style of the Panerai watches and how the have the leather band style locked down. I’m still on the fence with the crown shroud/protector. For anyone who has one, do you notice it when wearing? I should probably go check them out at a jeweler and see one first…

Just don't try to do pushups with it on, quite painful when you do this.

 

[dpd3672]

Just don't try to do pushups with it on, quite painful when you do this.

I tried that once....

ONCE...

Lol

 

[RxLeyland]

this one is inbound

Nice! What are you putting it on? I’d love to see the final product.

 

[Karbon74]

Nice! What are you putting it on? I’d love to see the final product.

why are you asking me difficult questions?
I don't know...the seller gave me a discount, so I bought it

 

[dpd3672]

why are you asking me difficult questions?
I don't know...the seller gave me a discount, so I bought it

99% of the items I own are some variation of "Well, I didn't really need it, but the price was so good..."

 

[AAA US]

I wore a gen deep sea dweller for many years. And its still my favorite watch. Last year i change the link for A rubber B strap. I love it even more now. It feels and looks very really good in my opinion

 

[EarlOfBacon]

Same watch but completely different to my opinion ...