Alligator strap - your advice appreciated

I have just swapped from bracelet to alligator on my Sprifire 3878. Except for some of my vintage pieces, which are on the wrist just now and then, I have not used leather starps on a daily basis for many years.

Now, since I have understood that the leather straps are quite sensitive for water/moisture I was wondering if it's a good idea or not to treat the inside of it with a little high grade leather grease.

Do you guys prepare your straps in any way, or you just put them on as is?

Thx
/Anders

Hi Anders,

this is a good question I asked myself serveral times over the years.
In the end, I always left the straps as they were because of
1. I think they're treated already and
2. I think that the body fat from your skin does the same job in the end

BUT:
I never really tried to use some sort of grease.

By the way: The "downside" of the strap - the side touching your skin - is not alligator, this is some cow or buffalo leather, only the top leather is alligator.

A good quality leather cream should help to keep the leather supple and at the same time decrease the effect of the acids that come from sweat.
Regards.
Kenneth.

Greetings Anders:

Custom strap makers can add to your leather strap a "tropic material" or "rubber lining" that will help control and minimize the effects of moisture and body sweat. This will help extend the life of the strap. If your strap is on deployant, this too will aid in reducing wear and tear.

When replacement time comes, a select number of luxury brands offer OEM rubber lined straps. I have a couple that I utilize on my IWC Pilot models.

Helpful Hint: Should your strap become wet from any source, let it dry naturally in a moderate temperature but not in direct or artificial heat.

Best,

Andy

The crocodile strap on my pilot chrono is 4 years old and it has become a little dry. I don't wear the watch all the time and a little dubbin does wonders. I have been caught in the rain a few times and the strap has become soaked. After drying with a towel and letting it air dry for a day, a buff up with dubbin brings it back. I would say my strap has one year left. The strap is due for replacement and I would not treat a new strap like this though.

Leave it as it comes. They break in nicely and stand the test of time and use pretty well.

Thank you guys,

Quite a spread in advice, as expected I guess. Will put my puzzle together with bits and pieces from each of your tips.

Andy's comment about deployment clasp - which I have - makes sense, never thought of that before but it clearly protects the part of the strap most exposed to the skin as well as making a good mechanical support for it.

Best
/Anders