For routine care, we recommend carrying out the following steps every 2–3 months (or 4–6 months for Horween leather), as a guideline.  

If you have any questions, or would like more information on how to best care for your strap, please do get in touch.

• Carefully remove your strap from the watch case.
• Use one of the cloths provided and gently wipe both sides to remove any surface dirt. 
• Apply a small amount of balsam onto your second cloth provided. Please do so sparingly, as overapplication can stifle the breathability of the leather.
• With light pressure, in small circular motions, rub this into the grain side of your strap, giving special attention to any scratches or marks. We do not recommend using the balsam on the flesh side of the leather or the Zermatt Calfskin lining.
• Leave to dry for a minimum of 10 minutes. This gives the waxes and oils time to soak into the leather. Allow at least 30 minutes for Horween tanned leathers.
• Gently remove any excess balsam from the surface with a clean section of your cloth.
• Once fully dry and soft to the touch, your strap is ready to wear again!

• Please be aware that the use of balsam may darken the leather over time (for Badalassi Carlo Nofin, this change will be noticeable after the very first application).
• It is important to use balsam responsively to your strap and frequency of use. Generally, if your strap is beginning to look dull or dry, it will likely be time to clean and nourish it.
• If your strap begins to feel slightly tacky to the touch, we recommend reducing the frequency of balsam application, or the amount you use. You may also wish to complete steps one and two more frequently to prevent any build-up of dirt, oils or waxes which may be clogging the pores.
• Please note that leather is a natural material and can be sensitive to strong products and environmental factors. Direct contact with water and/or products such as perfumes, household cleaners and sanitisers, in addition to exposure to extreme temperatures, may cause damage to your strap and should be avoided.
• We recommend storing your strap flat or gently curved, within either the presentation box provided or a cotton pouch. Leather needs to breathe so avoid airtight or plastic cases. The ideal place would be dry, out of direct sunlight and at a consistent room temperature, like a drawer or closet. Regular and gentle handling will help keep your strap supple and prevent the leather from stiffening.

Natural Ageing

A gradual change in colour and texture can be expected as your strap ages, adding unique character and greater depth to your piece.

Patina

You may notice a patina developing as you wear your strap. This is where unique markings appear on the surface layer of the leather: areas may darken, and well-used areas can gain a soft sheen. Scratches and markings from daily wear will fade into the patina, infusing with the surface of the leather.

Blooms

In time, especially if unused for a period of time, certain leathers may develop what is referred to as a bloom. This is a natural process where the oils and greases used in the tanning process are brought to the surface of the leather, creating a white, cloudy effect.

We suggest buffing the leather gently with your cotton cloth to remove any bloom. Doing so will return the oils back into the leather.

Pull-up effect

Some leathers we offer – Horween Bison, Horween Horsehide and Badalassi Carlo Wax – have been tanned to show a pull-up effect. This means the leather will reveal lighter tones beneath the surface when stretched or where pressure is applied. It is important to note that the effect does not affect the strap's durability. 

The pull-up effect will naturally become more distinct over time, though buffing gently with a cotton cloth can help soften the look if desired.