Leather straps (and cleaning them) vs stainless steel

I prefer a leather strap, but I have had a few issues with them - After a while, they do not 'smell' so good... and require actual replacement. I have tried a few things to clean them, but it doesn't seem to work.

When it comes time to replace them, a good leather strap (ordered from the watch company) costs many hundreds $$ and I personally find it too expensive to replace every 6 months. (I could purchase some from other vendors, but have yet to find some that look as good with the watch as the originals)

Does anyone have any good cleaning methods (or is there something I could do to prevent this issue)? Most IWC watches have leather straps, so I'm somewhat in a quandry over buying them...

If cleaning leather straps is no solution, and replacing straps on a regular basis not an option, then you might consider the Milanese mesh bracelet that are made for the new Portofino's. That to me is a kind of mix between a strap and a bracelet, quite beautiful too (I saw them) and if I am well informed available in the sizes 20/18 and 22/18. They are not cheap at all, but you never have to consider replacing leather straps anymore. They wear well and have a micro adjustment feature.

Kind regards,
Paul

A small point on the Milanese bracelet--it has "some" fine adjustment, but if I recall it works in 5mm increments, like holes on a leather strap. A true "micro adjustment" bracelet works in 1mm increments. I think only the Da Vinci bracelet by IWC currently has that, and also a few other brands do (Rolex does for its Submariner).

Also, I'm less sure but believe that the Milanese bracelet is made only for the new Portofino chronograph. As such it shoudl be 21mm in width, and won't fit 20mm models (like the new Portofino Automatic) or 22mm models (like the Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days). If anyone has info to the contrary, please let me know.

While buying my 8 days handwound I just was curious whether there was a Milanese mesh bracelet for this watch. The AD looked it up in that big handbook, and there it was for this watch, stating 22/18: I looked again to be sure. Then we looked at the mesh bracelets for the other Portofino's: at the time I thought I saw 22/18 too, I remember stating that thus the lug width was the same for all the Portofino's, but later I became not sure, reading 20/18 somewhere. The mesh bracelet comes as a "standard" version on the smaller Automatic and Chrono, and as a "special order" on the handwound. If you have that big AD handbook, please verify Michael: I tend not to be sure when I don't have the evidence right in front of me.

The adjustment: I saw those niches, or how should I call them, they seemed rather close to each other, but I did not measure. They seemed closer than the width of a link of my Ingenieur, so for a bracelet I found it rather micro, but you are right that the Da Vinci adjustment is more micro.

It is a very nice bracelet: I think it to be an idea, a classy alternative, when climate conditions make leather straps maybe less appropriate.

Kind regards,
Paul

If memory serves me correctly, I recall asking Shing to check whether the Milanese bracelets would fit the Portuguse chrono and after he went to the boutique aka home from home, the answer was yes, then my Australian namesake did a mock up photo.
But I believe MF has a dealers book at home to confirm or deny, when he has a chance.

The Portofino auto and chrono show as bracelet as an option in the collection on this site.

Hmmm, I think I did find out about the Milanese bracelet but the check was mainly on Santonis (see below). Portofino Autos and Chronos lugs measure at 20mm.

Re Greg on Portuguese Chrono - what is the lug size? Would be an interesting combination.

Shing, Portuguese Chrono 20mm lug size.

Thanks for the options. I'm still not certain if I would actually like the Milanese bracelet or not. I guess I'll have to find an AD (which won't be hard to do)next time I'm in NYC and try it on!

Any suggestions about cleaning methods that you've tried, and level of success?

I also like a leather strap for most watches, but they do seem to last longer than six months for me. I find I can go several years before needing to replace a strap.

It may be because I have a number of watches and usually wear a particular watch for only a couple of weeks before moving on to another one for a while. So most of my favorite watches only get worn for a total of several months out of the year, and each gets some "down time." And I do prefer a bracelet on a watch that sees more "hard use."

Also, I find that using a deployant reduces stress, and wear, on a strap.

I used a Swiss product for protect trecking shoes from water and snow, that contains lanoline and vaseline and is absolutely incolore. I rub it 2 or 3 times on the leather strap with intervals of 2 hours more or less.After the leather absorbs it, it becomes more soft, flexible and shining than before. As it has no color, can be used in any color of straps. I hope this may help you.

IWC bracelet will be expensive, if the AD has a Milanese bracelet on a Portofino then try that on but it will be a special order to get for your watch I suspect. Keep the factory strap and buckle safe though.

1. Use a deployant / folding clasp, rather than a tang buckle. Not only will your strap last much longer, but also less likely your watch to fall off your wrist when you're putting it on.

2. Try to keep leather straps away from water and sweat. In summer or hot countries, I tend to wear my sport watches more often as they have bracelet or rubber straps on. I leave my watches with leather straps for fall/winter wearing mostly.

3. At night when not wearing the watch, let it stand on its side so both sides of the strap are exposed to the air around and moisture trapped in the strap can escape more quickly. This works best when the room is air conditioned.

4. You can try using Lexol leather cleaning products to clean and protect the leather surface, but in general, I prefer prevention over treatment.

Blue

Blue --I very much concur with you. I do find, however, that most leather treatments due to their oils tend to darken lighter straps.

Can anyone post wrist shots about the (possibly black dial) Portuguese Yacht Club chrono on the IWC Milanaise bracelet? (If above info-s are valid there is a 22 mm Milanaise for the HW Portofino that would fit the Yacht Club. If so, which length to order for the Yacht Club for a 6.75" wrist? Anyone to PM me the Germany retail of these barcelets?
Thank you, best regards:
Robert