Holy Sh…ell Cordovan Leather!
Wow. This strap is no joke.
I had frequently heard of shell cordovan leather, and I had seen the high pricetag, concluding that this must be just a ridiculously overpriced piece of horsehide.
The density and the luster are simply amazing. This watch strap costs twice as much as any leather strap I’ve previously bought, and I begin to see why.
I have been looking for a leather strap for my 1959 Alpinist Reinterpretation (SPB245 for those keeping score at home), and this one will fit the bill magnificently.
I’ve heard it said the leather has excellent longevity and doesn’t crease like other leathers. Please share your experience with shell cordovan with a new devotee!
PS: this is the Fluco Chicago Horween Shell Cordovan Black Flat Leather Watch
Strap in 19mm with quick release spring bars. Purchased from Holben’s Fine Watch Bands: shout out to them for great products and customer service!
Watch collecting and appreciation on a shoestring budget :-)
Nice!
I love Cordovan straps.
Here's a picture of my Knot Raden on a black cordovan strap...
Knot makes some amazing straps...for a very reasonable price...
Watch band - Cordovan | S18-SOC – Maker's Watch Knot Global (knot-designs.com)
Knot doesn’t offer 20mm width ☹️
Fluco’s shell straps are the best value you can get. Looks great on that watch! (And don’t start ordering custom cordovan straps or you’ll never stop!)
Here's my custom Cordovan Shinki Leather Strap. Some of the finest in the world. Vegan tanned. Will age very well.
My nephew owns a leather shop. Here's his description he provides about his Cordovan leather.
Shell Cordovan is an equine leather that’s prized for its resilience, its luster, and its graceful aging. We stock shells from renowned Japanese tannery, Shinki-Hikaku, as well as those from dyeing specialist, Leder Ogawa*. We believe these two companies produce the most refined and beautiful shells on the market today. Shinki shells have a glossy finish thanks to undergoing a glazing process, where the leather is polished with glass. The colors have pleasant natural variation and subtle marbling. Leder Ogawa’s shells are hand dyed and finished. Compared to Shinki’s, they are less glossy, more uniform and have fantastic depth of color. Shell wears extremely well over time and, like other vegetable tanned leathers, develops a lot of character with use. It should be one of your top contenders if you’re considering a smooth exterior for your item. Note: While shell is an exceptionally durable material, it is not a resistant material. Its waxy surface will scratch fairly easily. However, scratches will become less apparent and blend into the character of the leather as it ages. Another bright point is that it responds to reconditioning (i.e. scratches, etc. buffed out) very well. *Leder Ogawa is not a tannery. It performs the dyeing and finishing on Shinki-Hikaku “crusts”, or unfinished shells. Article: Shell Cordovan Type: Shell Cordovan Origin: Japan Tannery: Shinki-Hikaku Tannage: Vegetable Finish: Aniline Temper: Firm Aging: Absorbs character from use, darkens
Awesome looking combination! I agree that cordovan is worth the money. Have had a few of Nomos’s cordovan straps and love ‘em.
Knot doesn’t offer 20mm width ☹️
True...but Caseback Tim does have 20mm in his shop.
I have some of his straps as well (including the cordovan) and they are fantastic!
https://www.casebackwatches.com/en/collections/straps
I bought a shell cordovan pilot flap style strap for my Longines Big Eye a few (3? 4?) years ago, and while it doesn't look brand new -- it looks newer than some other leather straps that are a few months old!
Im such a fan, I refuse to buy any new leather straps that aren't shell.
Why oh why did you have to tell me about these? 🙂💸💸
Here's my custom Cordovan Shinki Leather Strap. Some of the finest in the world. Vegan tanned. Will age very well.
My nephew owns a leather shop. Here's his description he provides about his Cordovan leather.
Shell Cordovan is an equine leather that’s prized for its resilience, its luster, and its graceful aging. We stock shells from renowned Japanese tannery, Shinki-Hikaku, as well as those from dyeing specialist, Leder Ogawa*. We believe these two companies produce the most refined and beautiful shells on the market today. Shinki shells have a glossy finish thanks to undergoing a glazing process, where the leather is polished with glass. The colors have pleasant natural variation and subtle marbling. Leder Ogawa’s shells are hand dyed and finished. Compared to Shinki’s, they are less glossy, more uniform and have fantastic depth of color. Shell wears extremely well over time and, like other vegetable tanned leathers, develops a lot of character with use. It should be one of your top contenders if you’re considering a smooth exterior for your item. Note: While shell is an exceptionally durable material, it is not a resistant material. Its waxy surface will scratch fairly easily. However, scratches will become less apparent and blend into the character of the leather as it ages. Another bright point is that it responds to reconditioning (i.e. scratches, etc. buffed out) very well. *Leder Ogawa is not a tannery. It performs the dyeing and finishing on Shinki-Hikaku “crusts”, or unfinished shells. Article: Shell Cordovan Type: Shell Cordovan Origin: Japan Tannery: Shinki-Hikaku Tannage: Vegetable Finish: Aniline Temper: Firm Aging: Absorbs character from use, darkens
Did you say 'equine'?
Here's my custom Cordovan Shinki Leather Strap. Some of the finest in the world. Vegan tanned. Will age very well.
My nephew owns a leather shop. Here's his description he provides about his Cordovan leather.
Shell Cordovan is an equine leather that’s prized for its resilience, its luster, and its graceful aging. We stock shells from renowned Japanese tannery, Shinki-Hikaku, as well as those from dyeing specialist, Leder Ogawa*. We believe these two companies produce the most refined and beautiful shells on the market today. Shinki shells have a glossy finish thanks to undergoing a glazing process, where the leather is polished with glass. The colors have pleasant natural variation and subtle marbling. Leder Ogawa’s shells are hand dyed and finished. Compared to Shinki’s, they are less glossy, more uniform and have fantastic depth of color. Shell wears extremely well over time and, like other vegetable tanned leathers, develops a lot of character with use. It should be one of your top contenders if you’re considering a smooth exterior for your item. Note: While shell is an exceptionally durable material, it is not a resistant material. Its waxy surface will scratch fairly easily. However, scratches will become less apparent and blend into the character of the leather as it ages. Another bright point is that it responds to reconditioning (i.e. scratches, etc. buffed out) very well. *Leder Ogawa is not a tannery. It performs the dyeing and finishing on Shinki-Hikaku “crusts”, or unfinished shells. Article: Shell Cordovan Type: Shell Cordovan Origin: Japan Tannery: Shinki-Hikaku Tannage: Vegetable Finish: Aniline Temper: Firm Aging: Absorbs character from use, darkens
You forgot to tell us how to order…😀
True...but Caseback Tim does have 20mm in his shop.
I have some of his straps as well (including the cordovan) and they are fantastic!
https://www.casebackwatches.com/en/collections/straps
Like the blue one
I hadn’t heard of them until I purchased my Nomos Glasshütte Orion which came with a Shell Cordovan Leather strap. Amazing leather strap! I ended up buying a blue Shell Cordovan leather strap for it. Love it. Definitely not cheap, but worth it, as it’s also not cheap in quality.
Gorgeous
You forgot to tell us how to order…😀
Leatherbound.ink is his site.
Did you say 'equine'?
Yes, horse lol
I also discovered she'll cordovan straps recently and they're just lovely. The quality is just on another level!
A lot of people underestimate good leather straps for watches. If you're willing to spend that little extra & take good care of it, a good quality leather strap can really bring out the potential of a watches comfort, looks, etc.
I haven’t bought cordovan specifically, but the strap that came on my Brew Retrograph is far nicer than any other leather strap I have. I’m starting to “get” it. 🧐
Yes, horse lol
Oh.... nay.