making a strap waterproof? or what do you do for new straps?

[tomriddle]

so I'm asking here because Paneristi pretty much is the domain of straps..

one thing I've learned since my 111H has been my go-to vacation watch and after countless swimming in the oceans of this world.. it's caught up to me and my favorite leather strap dried and cracked and well, it's done dead etc

it was a slow death.. not an instant swim in the Maldives today and wake up tomorrow and it's a dead strap but throughout time eventually i guess the salt water and chlorine or whatever ate it enough to destroy it

ok. lesson learned. now.. i have a new strap incoming..

QUESTION: do you guys do anything special to treat your straps before taking it to the water?? coat it? I was thinking of spraying waterproofing agents on it much like they do leather bags and whatnot.. but am curious to hear from you strap experts your thoughts/opinions/rituals etc

is there a way to make a leather strap waterproof? so to speak and how often do you treat it if you do treat it..

 

[harvey-ridge]

If you heading off on holidays, swap it out for a rubber strap. Treating a leather strap will almost certainly change its appearance.

 

[tomriddle]

If you heading off on holidays, swap it out for a rubber strap. Treating a leather strap will almost certainly change its appearance.

agreed.. but let's just say another strap is not an option

curious to see if anyone treats their strap and if so what they use

i been searching around and do know of leather-bags being treated to make it "waterproof" etc etc..

i guess if no one treats their leather straps i'll take one for the team and report back

i actually have 2 schools i'm delving in right now
- treat it like they do leather bags with apple spray (it's a waterproof thing) or other leather-bag waterproofing sprays out there
- treat it and coat it with a CERAMIC type coating they use for leathers in cars such as Gyeon's products etc

i will probably do with to be honest... ceramic coat it first then spray it or spray it first then ceramic coat it

regardless I'll definitely report back here and have real life examples when i next take it swimming.. from your response i have a feeling i was wrong and others don't treat their straps but rather just swap it out like you said

 

[EM9]

Sno-seal.

 

[Thewatchwolf]

There’s nothing that’s going to treat a leather watch strap to make it dive proof. Even alligator/shark etc. I’ve ruined many straps this way. And many more trying to figure out a way to waterproof them. Stick with silicone if you want to swim with it.

 

[shyreplover]

The thought of using waterproof spray for leather shoes did crossed my mind a while ago. But unlike shoe, watch strap made direct contact with my skin. I don't want my skin to absorb whatever chemical contained in the coating agent. I already have enough micro plastic and forever chemical in my system, I don't need extra.

You can make leather apparel water resistant, but not waterproof.
If you must dive with your leather strap then don't use your favorite ones, just buy the cheap ones. Or get a nato or rubber.

 

[tomriddle]

There’s nothing that’s going to treat a leather watch strap to make it dive proof. Even alligator/shark etc. I’ve ruined many straps this way. And many more trying to figure out a way to waterproof them. Stick with silicone if you want to swim with it.

The thought of using waterproof spray for leather shoes did crossed my mind a while ago. But unlike shoe, watch strap made direct contact with my skin. I don't want my skin to absorb whatever chemical contained in the coating agent. I already have enough micro plastic and forever chemical in my system, I don't need extra.

You can make leather apparel water resistant, but not waterproof.
If you must dive with your leather strap then don't use your favorite ones, just buy the cheap ones. Or get a nato or rubber.

you guys make excellent points... I guess i have to re-think things going forward

I am on the verge of retiring my little hero PAM 111H as my vacation watch.. problem is i am replacing it with another leather-strapped watch

guess for vacations I know I'm headed for a swim I'll have to take my Submariner now.. lol, 15+ years in the rep game and I've never had a rolex until 2024 and now I have 3 -.- but there's still "problems" I have to think of since it's Two-Toned. Re-plated, granted and treated with a graphene coating myself..

still, i'll see how it holds up in vacation real world experience.. definitely going to rinse it with water anytime it heads to the pool/ocean

thank you all

 

[t3steve]

I plan on trying it with a Dr Phil strap (cheap piece of crap) that I don't mind ruining. I'll use leather conditioner before and after swimming.

 

[tomriddle]

I plan on trying it with a Dr Phil strap (cheap piece of crap) that I don't mind ruining. I'll use leather conditioner before and after swimming.

what are you going to try to use?

fyi leather conditioner is exactly that.. it conditions leather/makes it more supple/etc.. it's not for waterproofing/water resistant i don't think

unless the product specifies it which i think some do..

anyways, let us know what you use/do and how it goes i have an exotic leather strap coming which is why i made this thread and also for my other leather straps i currently have haha

 

[t3steve]

I'll probably try Sno-seal, it's the only conditioner that I have that is supposed to offer water resistance.

 

[tomriddle]

I'll probably try Sno-seal, it's the only conditioner that I have that is supposed to offer water resistance.

definitely report back and enjoy your water adventures!

 

[ProperGains]

There’s nothing that’s going to treat a leather watch strap to make it dive proof. Even alligator/shark etc. I’ve ruined many straps this way. And many more trying to figure out a way to waterproof them. Stick with silicone if you want to swim with it.

that silicone spray is so useful.

 

[tomriddle]

that silicone spray is so useful.

what silicone spray? drop a name please

 

[Hesekiel]

I'm not a bracelet guy, so all of my watches are on a strap, mostly leather. I treat all my new straps like I treat the Brooks leather saddles on my bicycles, with Linseed Oil. That changes their appearance, so they darken, but I'm okay with that.

That said, I don't take my watches into the water, not even my GEN divers. Taking a replica 111 into the ocean is a brave move. Do that with 2-tone Rolex and very soon your issue with the leather strap will look insignificant, as you'll ask here where to take your bracelet apart and have it replated.
My advice: use your PAM for daily vacation duties and take a G-Shock exclusively for the rough stuff.

 

[dpd3672]

I don't think any spray or treatment is going to protect a leather strap from the ocean...most of these products are designed for splashes or a quick dip, not complete immersion for extended periods of time. Saltwater is corrosive, and when it dries the salt crystals act as an abrasive powder that destroys leather from the inside out.

Bottom line is, a NATO, silicone, or rubber strap for swimming, leather or stainless for everything else. Or just keep a supply of straps on hand to replace when they get worn.

What might prolong a leather strap's life a little bit would be a thorough rinse every time it gets wet from saltwater. It would be delaying the inevitable, but you might get a slightly longer life out of it.

 

[Reaps]

Introducing SwimSkin® for Luxury Watches | Rubber B

SwimSkin® looks and feels identical to natural moisture-sensitive materials such as Alligator hide or Kevlar® fabric, yet SwimSkin® is 100% rubber...

rubberb.com

 

[Reaps]

SwimSkin for Rubber B - i dont own one but I've heard great things about it

 

[tomriddle]

I'm not a bracelet guy, so all of my watches are on a strap, mostly leather. I treat all my new straps like I treat the Brooks leather saddles on my bicycles, with Linseed Oil. That changes their appearance, so they darken, but I'm okay with that.

That said, I don't take my watches into the water, not even my GEN divers. Taking a replica 111 into the ocean is a brave move. Do that with 2-tone Rolex and very soon your issue with the leather strap will look insignificant, as you'll ask here where to take your bracelet apart and have it replated.
My advice: use your PAM for daily vacation duties and take a G-Shock exclusively for the rough stuff.

bro.. you're a psychic! honestly.. LOL! I Can't believe you just said that..

so.. my 111H right now is going thru stuff.. and in the "downtime" i've since gotten new watches.. 1 specifically for vacation purposes...

a TT Sub.. plated too!

HOWEVER, I have personally Graphene coated this bad boy like 4? 5? 6 times over already.. it's become a hobby of a hobby of mine now.. graphene coating stuff (even my jewelry of solid gold I have coated!)

and will soon Borophene coat it..

for the exact same reason you mentioned. I am planning on having this become my new vacation watch.. and I'm certain sometime before this year ends.. I will swim in some ocean body of water with it LOL! (right now the commander in chief is looking at turks and caicos) but yes.. don't laugh at me.. I am fully prepared to take this tt sub and see how it fares/stands up to the seas after it's been coated with all the hydrophobic coatings i've thrown at it

I don't think any spray or treatment is going to protect a leather strap from the ocean...most of these products are designed for splashes or a quick dip, not complete immersion for extended periods of time. Saltwater is corrosive, and when it dries the salt crystals act as an abrasive powder that destroys leather from the inside out.

Bottom line is, a NATO, silicone, or rubber strap for swimming, leather or stainless for everything else. Or just keep a supply of straps on hand to replace when they get worn.

What might prolong a leather strap's life a little bit would be a thorough rinse every time it gets wet from saltwater. It would be delaying the inevitable, but you might get a slightly longer life out of it.

that's my newest plan.. or arsenal.. I foolishly admit I have not been doing this through the years. Whether it be the ocean or the pool.. after a dip, I have not rinsed my watches/strap. But I will going forward.. truth be told, I never thought of it until I read it here in the forums as well..

someone asked if they can go swimming in their reps

 

[dpd3672]

that's my newest plan.. or arsenal.. I foolishly admit I have not been doing this through the years. Whether it be the ocean or the pool.. after a dip, I have not rinsed my watches/strap. But I will going forward.. truth be told, I never thought of it until I read it here in the forums as well..

someone asked if they can go swimming in their reps

I scuba dive for work, and believe me, even dive gear, UW tools, and photography equipment...stuff that's DESIGNED to stand up to rough use in saltwater...self-destructs if it's not thoroughly rinsed after use. Even the chlorine or bromine from a swimming pool can destroy stuff designed for water. ALWAYS rinse with fresh water.

I had an underwater camera setup flood on me 25 years ago because I rushed the "rinse thoroughly in fresh water after use" step to go have drinks with the gal I was with...the first of MANY very expensive mistakes around saltwater, lol.

 

[Beartooth]

Starting with a veg tanned instead of chrome tanned will help. Rinsing with fresh water will help.

Switching to rubber or NATO when salt water is involved will fix your problem.