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Good evening everyone!
This column talks about mechanical watches from an engineer's point of view. This is the 17th installment.
"How to properly handle leather belts"
I will talk about this topic.
The hot, sweltering summer is finally over, and the weather is getting more comfortable. This means it's time to wear a leather watch!
However, if stored improperly or care for it is neglected, it will gradually deteriorate and lose its appeal.
So, this time we have summarized "How to make your leather strap last longer". Please read until the end!
How to make your leather strap last longer
1. Dry wipe
The biggest cause of deterioration of leather straps is moisture such as "sweat and humidity". Sweat in particular contains salt, which is the worst combination. Also, leather has fine fibers entangled with it, and if dirt gets into the gaps between them, it becomes difficult to remove, which leads to deterioration.
It is very important to remove the stains on the same day, so make it a habit to wipe it dry as part of your daily care routine. Also, regardless of the season, be sure to carefully wipe off any sweat from the inside of the leather strap.
When wiping it dry, use a soft cloth to gently "stroke" the surface to remove any sweat or sebum . Be careful not to rub too hard, as this can push the dirt deeper into the surface. It is also effective to use a soft, dry toothbrush to scrape off any dirt.
If that doesn't work, try using a leather cleaner to remove it.
② Comfortable fit
A common mistake made by people who are not used to taking care of watches is tightening the leather strap too much. Leather is a very delicate material, and if you apply excessive force, such as pulling it too hard, it will deteriorate.
Therefore, when tightening the leather strap, make sure you have enough room to fit one finger between your arm and the strap.
③Do not bend
It seems that many people try to tighten the leather strap so much that the buckle digs in tightly, then insert it into the free leather, bending it in the process.
Please be careful when doing this as it can cause the leather to wrinkle, deteriorate, and crack.
Be sure to attach the leather strap gently so that the buckle does not come into direct contact with the leather strap, and be sure to pass the buckle through the small hole without pulling it too hard.
④Use the D-buckle
To reduce the strain on the leather when putting on and taking off the watch, we recommend using a D-buckle , which does not require a buckle . This makes it possible to put on and take off the watch without damaging the leather, the watch is less likely to move even if it is fastened loosely, and creating a gap between your arm and the leather strap allows sweat to escape.
⑤Don't keep using the same leather strap
It is said that wearing the same suit or shoes every day will shorten their lifespan, and the same can be said for leather belts; daily use can put a strain on them.
The deterioration process will be slowed down by giving watches a rest while they are being used, so try to rotate multiple watches and leather straps as much as possible.
Storage precautions
①Storage location
Basically, it is best to store it in a "well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight." If you store it rolled up or folded, it will develop a crease and deteriorate. For this reason, when storing leather straps, try to keep them as stretched as possible.
However, if you need to store it rolled up in a watch case or similar, we recommend wiping it dry and allowing any sweat or moisture to completely dry before storing it.
②How to store when not in use for a while
Have you ever tried to use a leather strap that you hadn't used for a while only to find that it had deteriorated? To prevent this from happening, please take note of the following points when storing your leather strap if you are not going to use it for a while.
■Remove the strap from the watch and let it dry for 2-3 days.
■Place it in a bag made of a material that absorbs moisture, such as cloth or paper, and if you are worried, add some insect and mold repellent as well.
■If stored for a long period of time, mold may grow, so take it out of the bag occasionally and polish it with a dry cloth.
In this way, by taking just a little extra effort, you can minimize deterioration and reuse the item.
summary
What did you think?
This time we have focused on leather straps, but the same important points apply to bracelets and rubber straps: take care of them after use and keep them clean. Please keep this in mind!
And as the weather gradually gets cooler, why not try changing to a classic leather strap and enjoy your watch even more?
We hope that this article has been useful to you and has piqued your interest in luxury watches! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us directly and we will answer them thoroughly. We look forward to your visit and inquiries.
Look forward to the next one! See you next time!
