Getting a new and exciting leather strap for your watch is by far the most budget-friendly way to spruce up your watch. I have a healthy selection of different leather straps in my own rotation, with my ostrich leather strap being among my favorite. My ostrich leather strap has many proponents, although it’s not entirely indestructible. So, is ostrich leather good for a watch strap?
Ostrich leather watch straps are highly luxurious, soft, and five times more durable than cowhide. Its porous nature gives it excellent breathability, although liquids will cause discoloration. It is not suitable for exercising, and its exotic characteristic makes it pricier than other leather straps.
Ostrich leather is an excellent pick for any watch enthusiast, but let’s look at its durability, resistance to the elements, price, practicality, fashion, and comfortability to see whether it’s the right fit.
Is Ostrich Leather Good For A Watch Strap?
Ostrich straps are known for their exotic signature that comes straight from the end of their large feathers. Although it may not be as common as lizard, cordovan, crocodile, or alligator straps, they are prized for their suppleness and comfort while maintaining a high level of strength.
Most people are surprised to hear that ostrich leather is known for its durability. Since ostriches face varying degrees of high and low temperatures, their leather is naturally able to withstand harsh conditions.
Consequently, a premium ostrich strap can last many years if you take good care of it. Factors like treating it, wearing it frequently, too tightly, or in the rain and direct sunlight will all contribute to a reduced lifespan.
Ostrich leather straps come in dark and lighter shades, and both variants greatly enhance the watch and make it eye-catching. A blue or white watch fits well with a light-brown ostrich strap or a white watch with a dark-gray strap. They look expensive, fit comfortably, and fit every type of attire well.
Do Ostrich Leather Straps Crack Or Stretch Easily?
Ostrich leather is among the most rigid leather globally, proving to be five times as soft and durable as cowhide. It contains natural oils that fend off dryness, hardening, and cracking.
Thanks to its porous nature, it offers excellent breathability without skimping on insulation. The soft surface also contains no static electricity and has a fashionable, non-overlapping pattern that enhances coloring.
The leather can also easily absorb color, ensuring a wide variety of colored straps to choose from – however, it’s also worth noting that it will become slightly darker when it ages. Ostrich leather can have different patterns depending on whether it came from the bird’s foot or body.
Do Ostrich Watch Straps Have Water-Resistant Properties?
Ostrich leather absorbs water quickly due to its porous nature, which can cause discoloration. It would be best if you coated your ostrich leather strap with a non-silicone product to give it water-resistant properties.
You should avoid letting water near your ostrich watch strap because it does not handle liquids well. The liquid will quickly seep into the pores and cause staining or discoloration. As such, it is vital to apply a regular non-silicone coating to prevent the ostrich leather from absorbing liquids.
Are Ostrich Leather Straps Easy To Clean?
Avoid using commercial leather cleaners on ostrich leather, and opt for a cleaner that caters specifically to ostrich leather.
Cleaning your ostrich leather strap is relatively straightforward and does not differ much from other leather products.
To start, wipe the surface of your leather strap gently and evenly with a soft, damp cloth. After wiping it down thoroughly, place it indoors in a cool, dry place and away from direct sunlight so it can dry.
If your ostrich leather strap still shows signs of dirt, you may need to find a more powerful yet suitable ostrich leather cleaner.
Your best bet is to avoid all-in-one commercial leather cleaners and leather conditioners, opting for exotic and ostrich leather cleaners only.
When you find something that looks plausible, test it by applying a tiny amount on a discreet area of the strap to see if the strap reacts negatively to the cleaner. You’ll know you have a safe product if there are no signs of discoloration.
Wipe the surface of the leather strap and remove any excess leather cleaner with a soft cloth. If you are in a hurry to be somewhere, you can speed up the drying process by placing the leather strap about an arm’s length away from a fan.
How Does Ostrich Leather Handle Direct Sunlight?
The natural oils in ostrich leather make them incredibly resistant to direct sunlight, but they are not immune to its effects.
Despite ostrich leather’s soft and luxurious feel, it has incredible tactile strength. The natural oils in the leather greatly enhance its durability, making it highly resistant to cracking or wear-and-tear, even under extreme temperatures.
If you find yourself in a hot and humid climate, you can use an ostrich leather strap confidently, knowing that you won’t need to replace it soon.
Can You Exercise With An Ostrich Leather Watch Strap?
An ostrich leather strap does not work well for exercise because the salt and sweat excreted from your body will soak into the leather and cause discoloration.
Although ostrich leather is dangerously durable, it does not do well with liquids due to its porous nature. Wearing it while exercising won’t cause irreparable damage, but after extended periods you can expect to see signs of discoloration.
Are Ostrich Leather Watch Straps Inexpensive To Replace?
Ostrich leather watch straps are pricier than most other leather watch straps because they fall into the exotic leather category. The cleaning agents for ostrich leather are also more expensive, although the price is counter-balanced by the extraordinary lifespan.
Ostrich leather watch straps are classy and capable of turning heads, but they can be relatively pricey. They may cost two to three times that of non-exotic straps like alligator leather, with premium ostrich leather costing even more.
However, if you care for them regularly, they also last twice as long and make for a timeless wrist accessory.
Conclusion
Ostrich leather watch straps look very classy and boast among the highest tactile strength and longest lifespans. They are more expensive than other leather straps and handle direct sunlight well. However, avoid wearing them in the rain or when exercising.