How to Care for Leather, Metal and Silicone Watch Straps

In a hot, humid climate the strap usually wears out long before the watch does. Sweat, dust and monsoon rain are hard on every material, but each one needs different care.

Leather straps

Leather is comfortable and smart, and also the most demanding material.

• Keep it dry. If it gets wet, pat it with a soft cloth and let it dry at room temperature, away from direct sun, fans pointed at it or a heater. Fast drying makes leather stiff and cracked.
• Give it a rest. Wearing the same leather strap every day in summer means it never fully dries out. Rotating with a second strap or watch doubles its life.
• Apply perfume and lotion first, let them dry, and then put the watch on. The oils and alcohol stain and weaken leather.
• Do not fasten it too tightly. A tight strap traps sweat against the skin and the leather.
• Condition it occasionally with a small amount of leather conditioner, especially if it starts to look dry. Test on the underside first.

Steel bracelets

Stainless steel is tough, but dirt and sweat build up between the links, and that grime is what makes a bracelet look dull and smell.

• Every few weeks, scrub the bracelet with a soft toothbrush and lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap. If the watch is not water resistant, remove the bracelet first or keep the case dry.
• Dry it thoroughly with a lint-free cloth, paying attention to the gaps between links.
• Check the pins or screws that hold the links. A loose pin is the usual reason a bracelet suddenly opens and a watch falls.
• Polished surfaces scratch easily. Light swirl marks are normal wear; deep scratches can sometimes be refinished at a service centre.

Silicone and rubber straps

These are the easiest to maintain and the best choice for exercise and the monsoon.

• Rinse under running water after workouts and wipe dry.
• Remove marks with a little mild soap; avoid alcohol and strong cleaners, which can make the material sticky or brittle.
• Light colours can pick up dye from new jeans and dark clothing. Clean stains quickly before they set.

Fabric and NATO straps

Fabric straps can be removed and hand-washed in cool soapy water, then air-dried flat. Wash them regularly in summer, since they absorb sweat.

Signs it is time for a new strap

• Cracks near the buckle holes or where the strap meets the case.
• A smell that does not go away after cleaning.
• Stitching that has started to come loose.
• A bracelet clasp that opens by itself.

Replacing a strap is much cheaper than replacing a watch that has fallen off a worn one. Our guide to adjusting and changing straps explains how to measure for a replacement.

Storing a watch you do not wear daily

Keep it in its box or a soft pouch, away from damp cupboards, and lay leather straps flat so they do not bend permanently. A small sachet of silica gel in the box helps during the monsoon.