Caring for Men’s Leather Watches

If you have a favourite leather watch that you wear daily, it may surprise you to learn that the average life span for a leather watch band is about 1 year. However, with proper care and maintenance, this time can be extended to 18 months or more. Read on for 6 simple tips for caring for men’s leather watches.

Men’s leather watches need some TLC.

1.) Avoid environmental extremes. Extreme humidity can cause leather to mildew and stretch. Extreme dryness can cause it to crack. Any time that the environment causes the leather of the watch band to lose its natural lubricant, you risk damage. You shouldn’t bother buying water-resistant leather either, because this will likely not work in all seasons. Like skin, leather needs to breathe and water-resistant varieties simply cover pores that need to be open and accessible to air in certain environments.

2.) Avoid cutting or scraping the leather. Leather isn’t accident or damage-proof and just avoiding objects that can scratch and damage the leather can help it last longer. Some common sources of damage include cuff-links, keyboards (for those that work on a computer), car components and more.

If you do a highly physical job, you are more likely to encounter objects that can cause physical damage to the leather band of your watch. If you must do a particularly physical activity, consider removing your watch first to protect it from damage.

3.) Avoid excessive heat. Don’t store men’s leather watches on a radiator or another heat source. Heat causes the leather to stretch, which makes individual fibres weak and prone to breaking. When leather is heated and cooled a number of times, it can break easier. Heating and cooling will occur naturally with daily use and seasonal changes, so there’s no need to expose your watch to additional heating and cooling cycles unnecessarily.

Sunlight can also trigger the heating and cooling cycles that damage leather, so keep it in a shaded spot when not in use. Sunlight can also cause fading of the leather, particularly in leathers that are full or semi-aniline.

4.) Avoid air pollution such as cigar or cigarette smoke. Most people don’t realize it, but leather can absorb odors. The reason is that leather is porous; so smoke, fumes and other smells can penetrate it and be difficult to get out. Aside from a foul smell, the leather can even fade or change colour in the presence of too much smoke.

5.) Dust the leather or use a leather cleaner, regularly. If using a leather cleaner, you should use a minimal amount and only use it infrequently. Sponge the leather gently with a soft cloth until stains and grime are removed. Dusting the band of men’s leather watches can be done daily using a gentle, dry cloth.

6.) Remove your watch when washing hands or doing other tasks that involve water. Droplets of water can get into the pores of the leather, causing damage over time. If you take a shower, go swimming or even do the dishes, you should remove the watch. Water penetration will accelerate the wearing out of the leather, reducing the lifespan of your watch. Even water-resistant bands, like those made of alligator, will deteriorate in the presence of water. Salt water hastens the deterioration.

Follow these 6 tips to care for your leather the right way and extend the life of the band as much as possible. With proper maintenance and prevention, you can expect your leather watch to last for 18 months or longer. Yee-hah!