After wearing your watch for a long time, have you ever noticed that the strap begins to smell, becomes hard, or even cracks?
Many watch enthusiasts only focus on the dial and movement, but ignore the “second face” of the strap. Recently, a cousin came to me and said that the ZF factory IWC Portuguese 7 he bought in 2023 had been worn for more than two years and the strap was already terrible. I replaced him with a set of alligator leather straps, and it was like buying a new watch!
Today I will record the replacement process completely, and talk about the replacement cycle and maintenance methods of leather watch straps. Whether you are wearing an IWC Portuguese 7, a Portuguese watch or other formal watches with leather straps, these useful information can help you.
1. How dirty is the old watch strap? I was shocked when I opened it
This cousin’s ZF IWC Portuguese 7 V5 version is originally equipped with an embossed cowhide strap. When I first bought it, it felt soft and fit well on my wrist, making it very comfortable to wear during daily commuting. But here comes the problem – the leather is naturally afraid of sweat and moisture. If worn for a long time without maintenance, the wear and tear will be really visible to the naked eye.
After removing the old watch strap, the problem is clear at a glance:
1. The inside hides dirt and smells pungent.
A lot of sweat, oil and dust accumulate in the gaps between the straps and the inner lining of the strap. After more than two years of repeated soaking, black dirt formed. You can smell a sour smell every day when you raise your hands. Long-term contact with the skin can easily cause sweating and itching, which is very unhygienic.
2. The cortex is hardened and cracked and may break at any time.
The leather at the bending position and the perforation of the buckle has lost its toughness, and cracks of varying depths have appeared. The edge of the skin peels off and fluffs, and it feels like it’s about to break when you pull it lightly. To be honest, it is really dangerous to continue wearing it in this state. What if it is disconnected midway and the watch is broken?
3. The overall appearance is dull and dull, lowering the quality of the watch.
The originally delicate leather surface was corroded and faded by sweat, turning gray and dark. Paired with the exquisite Portuguese seven dial, it looks old and cheap. Even if the movement is in good condition, the overall look and feel is greatly compromised.
My cousin decisively customized a set of bamboo-patterned crocodile leather straps. After the replacement is completed, the watch instantly regains its brand new texture! The texture is three-dimensional and delicate, and the fit and softness far exceed that of the original cowhide, giving it a high-end feel when worn in formal wear.
2. How often should the leather watch strap be replaced? Stop holding on!
Combined with many years of experience in playing watches, I will clarify the replacement standards for leather watch straps of different materials, so that everyone should not blindly make do with it.
Ordinary cowhide/embossed leather (ZF Portuguese seven original model)
- Wear it every day and sweat a lot in summer: it is recommended to replace it every 2 years
- Less sweating in the office, wear every other day: no more than 3 years
Cowhide has average air permeability and poor corrosion resistance. Sweat stains cannot be completely repaired after they penetrate, and aging odor is irreversible.
High-end leather such as crocodile skin and ostrich skin
The texture is better and the toughness is stronger, but it is also afraid of sweat corrosion. It should be replaced after 2-3 years of normal wear; if you only wear it occasionally on weekends, it can be extended to 3-4 years with proper maintenance. Once cracking or stubborn odor occurs, replace it directly, do not repair it and use it reluctantly.
If these 4 situations occur, change the watch strap immediately!
① There is still a pungent sour smell after repeated cleaning ② There are obvious cracks or layered peeling at the bends and buckle holes ③ The leather is hard as a whole, gets stuck when bending, and loses its softness ④ A large area of the lining becomes black and moldy, and the stains cannot be cleaned
Many watch friends think that “you can continue to wear the watch strap if it is not broken”. This is a misunderstanding! Bacteria and dirt in the gaps continue to contact the skin, and long-term wear can easily cause redness and allergies on the wrist. Timely replacement not only protects the watch, but also ensures wearing hygiene.
3. Full tutorial on leather watch strap maintenance to extend service life
Taking formal belt watches such as the IWC Portugieser Seven as an example, I will teach you how to maintain them in four parts. The operation is simple and can be completed at home.
(1) Simple cleaning after daily wear (30 seconds to complete)
Every time you take off the watch, wipe the front and back of the watchband with a dry microfiber cloth, focusing on the area where the inner lining contacts the skin, to wipe off the sweat and grease attached that day. Preventing sweat from penetrating cortical fibers for a long time is the most critical step in delaying aging.
In summer, you sweat a lot. It is recommended to prepare a clean cotton cloth and wipe it once during lunch break and after get off work.
(2) Weekly deep cleaning (removing deep dirt)
- Prioritize the removal of the watch strap to avoid water vapor penetrating into the case and damaging the movement during cleaning.
- Use a slightly damp soft cloth that has been twisted until no water dripping, and use a small amount of neutral leather cleaner to gently wipe the gaps in the strap and the dead corners of the buckle.
- Use a soft-bristled brush to gently clean stubborn stains, and operate quickly throughout the process. Prolonged soaking is prohibited.
- After cleaning, immediately absorb the moisture with a dry cloth and place it in a cool and ventilated place to air dry naturally.
⚠️ It is strictly prohibited to use a hair dryer or expose to the sun! High temperature will directly cause the cortex to dry out.
(3) Moisturize and maintain every 3 months to prevent the cortex from hardening
After the watch strap is completely dry, take a small amount of neutral leather care cream, apply it evenly and thinly on the outside of the watch strap, and massage in circular motions along the texture. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes for the skin to absorb, and finally wipe off excess paste with a dry cloth.
The care cream can replenish cortical oil and prevent hair shaft cracking after long-term wear. The maintenance frequency of crocodile leather watch strap can be increased to once every 2 months.
(4) Five taboos for daily wear to significantly reduce wear and tear
- Avoid water throughout the journey: Be sure to remove your watch when washing hands, bathing, swimming, and going out on rainy days. The leather swells when exposed to water and hardens after drying, which is the fastest cause of scrapping the watch strap.
- Stay away from chemicals: After spraying perfume, sunscreen, and hand cream, wait until the skin care products are completely absorbed before wearing the watch. Chemicals can corrode the leather surface, causing discoloration and deterioration.
- Reduce long-term bending: Try to rotate the holes in the strap to disperse the bending stress points and avoid repeated breakage in a single position.
- Spare metal watch strap for summer: In the sweaty environment during the dog days of summer, it can be worn in rotation with a steel belt to greatly reduce the belt wear rate.
- Correct storage: When not wearing it for a long time, put the watch strap flat into the watch box without folding or squeezing it. Keep the storage environment dry to avoid moisture and mold.
4. What are the advantages of replacing a crocodile leather watch strap?
The bamboo pattern crocodile leather strap that this watch friend replaced is really amazing. To summarize the advantages:
1. Good appearance matching
The bamboo crocodile pattern has the same texture as the original style, and the texture is three-dimensional and high-end. The first-hand texture is made of original embossed cowhide, and paired with a simple Portuguese seven dial, it directly fills the business atmosphere.
2. Upgraded wearing comfort
Crocodile leather has finer fibers and better flexibility. It can be worn on the wrist for a long time without getting sweaty, and the inner lining has been treated with anti-sweat treatment, so it is not easy to accumulate dirt.
3. More durable
Under the same maintenance conditions, the aging speed is slower than that of ordinary cowhide. Everyday minor stains are easier to clean and lower maintenance.
4. The renovation effect is obvious
Replacing a two-year-old watch with a new alligator leather strap can achieve a visual effect similar to that of a new watch without polishing the case, which is very cost-effective.
5. Finally, I would like to say a few heartfelt words.
Although the watch strap is just a watch accessory, it directly affects the wearer’s health and the overall appearance of the watch.
All leather watch straps have a useful life, don’t wait until they are damaged and smelly before you think of replacing them. Following a 2-3 year replacement cycle and daily simple maintenance, it can not only keep your wrist clean and hygienic, but also keep your IWC Portuguese 7 and various leather strap formal watches with exquisite texture for a long time.
If your belt watch has become hard, smelly, or cracked, don’t worry about repairing it. Directly replacing a high-quality leather watch strap is the best choice that takes into account aesthetics, practicality and hygiene.
A good watch deserves a good strap. Don’t let your IWC Portuguese 7 be ruined by a smelly old watch strap!
Warm reminder: This article is only for communication and reference for watch enthusiasts, and supports genuine products and rational consumption. Please choose regular channels for strap replacement to ensure the safety of the material. Caring for your watch starts with caring for the strap!