I just did this to the strap of my fathers old vintage Tag. The band looked much worse then the one in this video, so crisp and brittle where the clasp sat i thought there was no saving it. Looked up a replacement (it cant use just a generic strap) and it was so expensive (like $280) i was like no way I’m spending that. Washed it with dawn using a toothbrush, and smothered it for like 2 days in leather conditioner that i have for the seats in my car. I could not believe how good it came out. Night and day, literally. I wish i had taken before pictures. Now just waiting for a new battery, and wanna show it to my dad since he gave it to me years ago and i never did anything with it. Thanks for this. Made all the difference. Watch would still be sitting in a drawer being ignored otherwise.
Certainly an interesting idea to use lanolin. I've used Swiss Rex (milsurp) leather wax because it softens the leather greatly. Likely highly acidic as you've said, but i seldom use leather products in the middle eastern climate. Might try lanolin for the 2nd treatment.
Thanks Spencer. Very interesting. I eagerly await the continuation of this video/info. Do you let them dry naturally or do you let them dry (timed) in the sun or through some other means? I use mink oil on my straps and my leather shoes. Does that work similarly for watch straps if I follow the same method? Thanks
The reason why I avoid leather straps from spring to autumn is that the leather absorbs all the sweat and becomes dark and gets an acidic pungent smell. Is there a way to get rid of that?
Hand-wash with light soapy water, press the strap between paper towels or similar to get out the excess water, then slather the leather with a neutral PH leather care solution (I use Pecard's) and let sit for a few days so the leather can get rid of the water, and pull in the Pecard's. Once the water is out, buff off the extra Pecard's, and there you are. That's what I do anyway.
You don't want to pay me to do that - it'd be ten times cheaper to just buy a new strap. I do these sorts of things because I hate wasting something that could be used with maintenance.
