Stiff leather strap - Suggestions?

I replaced the standard rubber strap of my Portuguese Yacht Club with a black leather strap from IWC. The strap is quite stiff. Initially I thought it was because it is still new. After wearing for 3 weeks, it is still as stiff as ever. Any suggestions how to loosen it? Perhaps soaking the watch for a few hours in water?

No way must you allow a leather strap to come into contact with water, it will ruin it!! For a leather strap to obtain some degree of suppleness, 3 weeks is no time at all. I have had two new IWC alligator straps and it has taken about 3 months for them to become supple.

The best remedy to that is wearing it every day!! :-)

You can try your local saddlery or cobbler for some leather care goods such as Dubbin, Neatsfoot oil or other similar leather care products that will help the process.

BTW - can you post some pics of the combination - I as well as others here I am sure would love to see a Yacht Club with a leather strap in place of the rubber.

Cheers,

Ben

Here's a picture. As you can see, the right strap is rather stiff.

If it cannot come into contact with water, how about if I try to bend it back and forth vigorously? Will it "loosen" up the leather? I have other leather strap watches and I have not encountered one that is so stiff after 3 weeks of wearing.

Just wear it. Over time it will become a part of you.

Thanks for the picture, the leather strap really looks great on that watch!

I have a very similar strap on my 5022 - it is a lot stiffer than the one that came on my 5001 and is just means that one crocodile / aligator spent a little more time in the sun than the other. I have not bothered trying to soften it up as it now has moulded my wrist perfectly and is very comfortable. As mentioned though, if you do want to soften it up, try some leather oils / waxes as they tend to be the best.

Dont worry too much about getting it wet - we tend to forget that the strap is made from the hide of an animal that spent most of its life under water, if it was going to get damaged by getting wet then Alligators would not live up to 50 years but I would not use water as a way to try ans soften it.

The strap is very stiff, so not only it doesn't wrap around the wrist, it wobbles uncomfortably. I know it will gradually become supple after prolong wearing, but just trying to think of ways to speed up the process.

One of the things I like about IWC straps is their rigidity, which also translates to minimal stretch unlike most after market straps or straps from other brands. I am still using the original holes I chose in the beginning. Bear with it, they will take shape to your wrist and don't try and help the process along, you would be reducing the life of an expensive strap by doing so.

It may also have to do with the weight of the watch and may be a short (XS) strap for deployant would be more comfortable as it may sit better for your wrist. Persevere though!

It's like breaking in a baseball glove. You have to use it to soften it up. To help it along, the next time you are watching TV just work the strap with your hands for about 20 minutes or so. Bend, roll and fold it about and it should simulate long time wear. Watching TV will keep you from getting bored.
Just a suggestion.

Thanks Alan. I think I will try your suggestion. Problem is I don't watch much TV. :D