Care for Leather Straps?

I've read about linseed oil, mink oil, neatsfoot oil, fabric conditioner, Liquid Leather, olive oil, "good hand creams", and saddle wax.

How do you care for the leather straps on your watches?

My opinion on leather straps depends on who is swinging them. Oops-wrong forum. I use mink oil on my work boots but have'nt tried it on leather watch straps. We don't have an issue with humidity here so my leather watch straps stay pretty clean. Quite a help are'nt I?

just wear them and like the broken in look, like to find used straps in good condition!

One thing, and only one thing, for thirty plus years, to clean and condition every skin from calfskin to ostrich (boots or whatever): Meltonian Leather Lotion. Not for use on suede, but any skin with a finish.
I've never used saddle wax on any of my saddles, btw. Wax won't soak in, it sits on the hide, and eventually dulls. Oils can eventually do the same.

porschefan wrote:

One thing, and only one thing, for thirty plus years, to clean and condition every skin from calfskin to ostrich (boots or whatever): Meltonian Leather Lotion. Not for use on suede, but any skin with a finish.
I've never used saddle wax on any of my saddles, btw. Wax won't soak in, it sits on the hide, and eventually dulls. Oils can eventually do the same.

Great advice. I used to own a shoe repair business, and most products are made for a specific purpose, and fine leathers like straps can be discolored, ruined or damaged by using the wrong product. The Meltonian lotion is almost clear and is very gentle, but I'd still test a small area on the strap or try it on some that you're not afraid to "change" to see what the result is.

Ah, but which one?

The product I'm familiar with came in the small glass jars like those on the bottom right of the post above.

I only have two watches with leather straps, soon to be only one. If it's not on stainless then it's on rubber...

I don't see myself really, treating, leather. Wear it til it wears out and replace it...

+1 on what Alan said....I have two watches on leather--one a Toshi and one from Greg Stevens...just going to wear them til it's time to replace...

Mike

Docrwm wrote:

Ah, but which one?

The one on the left is the one I use. The one on the right is also very good, adds some water repellancy.
The saddle soap is a no, the cream polish is to add color back, or to add depth to the color of boots and shoes.
I figure if you've spent a chnk of cash on something that can be taken care of, why not take car of it? Even if it's a croc watch strap, or whatever. I know a lot of you guys take the scratches out of your bracelets... You wash and wax yours cars, right?

I honestly don't use anything on my watch straps !
Nevertheless, these look like phenomenal options to
try. Especially if the straps are VERY good. Most of
mine are just normal stock straps, which are still in
great shape. Thanks for all of this info guys !

porschefan wrote:

Docrwm wrote:

Ah, but which one?

The one on the left is the one I use. The one on the right is also very good, adds some water repellancy.
The saddle soap is a no, the cream polish is to add color back, or to add depth to the color of boots and shoes.
I figure if you've spent a chnk of cash on something that can be taken care of, why not take car of it? Even if it's a croc watch strap, or whatever. I know a lot of you guys take the scratches out of your bracelets... You wash and wax yours cars, right?

I agree and thank you for your input!

Alan worries me - looking at straps for his P and not going to care for them.... Must be made of money