Softening beefy leather straps
Hi Crunchers. Any tips for softening thick leather straps? On a whim I got this Timex x Pan-Am collab because I love all things Pan-Am and I don't have a Flieger style watch (excuse tenuous link between Flieger and aviation memorabilia). It's a nice piece and the rivets on the leather strap are imprinted with the Pan-Am logo in blue which is a nice touch. However thr strap is super beefy and does not conform to my wrist. Given the lug to lig distance and downturned lugs I should get a better fit, rather than having 0.5cm of air between skin and caseback.
Any ideas welcomed! Has to be something that won't destroy the rivet engravings mind...
I have a 16.5cm wrist, and according to the Geneva Convention, that is all I need to tell you.
That is a fun watch.
Good leather is always stiff when new.
The absolute best way to make it conform comfortably is also the most inconvenient.
Wear it and let it break in naturally.
Anyone who has suffered a break-in period with Red Wing boots will probably agree. Natural is the way to go.
Yes. It's a good looking Flieger, and I like the sunburst dial. Even the lume is okay - hands and indices only but nice and even application.
Good leather is always stiff when new.
The absolute best way to make it conform comfortably is also the most inconvenient.
Wear it and let it break in naturally.
Anyone who has suffered a break-in period with Red Wing boots will probably agree. Natural is the way to go.
It took me a YEAR to break in a pair of UK made Dr. Martens. But the boots will last for 25 years.
Lovely watch. I have the Chrono version. Best advice is wear it daily for a week or so. It'll loosen up a bit.
Brand new it's indeed a very stiff strap.
Remember that old baseball glove ?
I'm a sucker for a blue faced watch. Pity its quartz though.
I use mink oil on my stiff leather straps. Works well, but can take several applications. Also helps them resist water.
Put the straps in a ziploc bag, take as much air out as possible, then put the bag in hot water for about 20 minutes. Afterwards, roll the part of the strap that conforms on your wrist, put it back on the watch and wear for a few days.
Renapur
I take each side and roll it up as tight as I can and hold it here for a few minutes. Helps a little.
Pan Am…hate to see you go but love watching you walk away 🤣
Whenever I get a watch on leather or a new leather band, I have it on the watch, and placed in the watch roll for a couple days to break it.
It does get better after wearing it for awhile. I also added deployant clasp to save the band as well.
Sun hotter the better then dubbin it ( horse tallow )
Pan Am…hate to see you go but love watching you walk away 🤣
Dirty old man 😂
Dirty old man 😂
ODB
Sun hotter the better then dubbin it ( horse tallow )
Equestrienne friend of mine swore by Bag Balm for anything that needed a bit of TLC!
It does get better after wearing it for awhile. I also added deployant clasp to save the band as well.
Love it. Yours sits nicely on your wrist. Wore it through the night andbday today and it seems to be softening a little.
Pan Am…hate to see you go but love watching you walk away 🤣
I loved that show for capturing the spirit of the time (and nothing to do with a certain Ms Robbie). Shame it got cancelled after 1 season!