The Best Leather Watch Straps for Classier Wrist Presence

You shouldn’t let the strap dictate whether or not you should pull the trigger and finally purchase that watch you’ve been eyeing for months, even years. After all, a beautiful timepiece can and should be able to adapt to different types of bands. One style that’s always been a favorite amongst collectors is leather. Capable of plussing up your dive watch or chronograph, the material is easy to come by but not all leather straps are made the same. With the preponderance of after-market options, we’ve compiled our favorites in this guide to the best leather straps to add to your collection. 

What To Look For in a Leather Watch Strap

Leather Type: There are several types of leather out there, and each one will have a different effect on the overall appearance of your watch on your wrist.

Width: Make sure you know the dimensions of your timepiece before picking a strap size. Most straps come in at least 3 or 4, if not more, sizes. And many strap websites will have sizing guides to help you figure out which option to go with.

Color/Design: Like leather type, the color and design of your band will be determined by the color and/or type of watch you’re pairing it with. If you have a racing chronograph, there’s a chance you’ll want a racing strap, or at least something to match the controlled chaos of the dial. As far as color, you may want the same hue as your dial and/or case, or you may want a complementary shade. It may help to look at examples of similar pairings online before making your pick.

Zuludiver British Military Watch Strap

Best NATO Strap: NATO watch straps originate from the British Ministry of Defence, which created a new form of watch strap in the 1970s, and equipped their soldiers with it. Soon, the NATO strap left the esoteric military circle and joined the mainstream watch community, offering a sleek, militaristic look. While NATO straps most commonly come in a rugged Nylon fabric, the Zuludiver Horween Leather NATO watch strap strikes the perfect in-between look, with the same military style that you’re accustomed to with a NATO strap, but illumined with full-grain Horween leather.

Crown & Buckle Rallye

Best Racing Strap: Racing-inspired chronographs have often become synonymous with a certain type of leather strap. Originally popping up in the ‘70s, during the sport’s heyday, the uniquely perforated pattern was designed to mimic that of the cars. Featuring a 5mm contoured design, this Rallye calfskin band from Crown & Buckle is emblematic of the specific style, with a trio of large holes at the top and is padded around the holes for comfort. A super affordable addition to any racing chronograph that doesn’t already have one, the strap is also adorned with off-white stitching and a 16mm hybrid buckle.

Windup Watch Shop Sackett

Best Suede: Suede leather can be an appealing option for its stylish versatility and uniqueness. The Windup Watch Shop has its own suede option with the Sackett strap, a classy addition to any dress or casual watch. Available in juniper green, espresso brown, caramel brown, storm gray, and cinder gray — all with matching thread — the Italian-made Sackett has a subtle suede nap and can be worn with a variety of outfits. The inside sports a soft lining that feels nice against your wrist.

Windup Watch Shop Wyckoff

Best Pebble-Grained Leather Strap: Another quality pick from the Windup Watch Shop is this pebble-grained leather strap called the Wyckoff. Available in four colorways in shades of brown or gray, and in the same lengths as the Sackett, the band has a bit more limitation, better suited for dress watches and the like. It utilizes the same soft inner lining and Italian construction. Cut straight with a three-quarter stitch, the beautiful leather can also develop a patina over time.

Hodinkee The Amagoh Vegan Pineapple Leather Strap

Best Vegan Leather Strap: A big reason why some enthusiasts don’t buy leather straps in the first place is because of how they’re sourced. And many of the vegan options available aren’t quite as comparable to the real thing — nor are they even made from actual plants. However, Hodinkee has a solution that’s quite exquisite. Available in five colors made with organic-certified textile-grade pigments, the Amagoh strap is sourced from the fibers of actual pineapple leaves. Naturally water-resistant and ISO-certified for abrasion- and tear-resistance, the fibers are also used for the lining underneath.

Molequin Taupe

Best for Dive Watches: Dive watches aren’t strangers to leather bands, per se. Although, the material isn’t necessarily the most popular in the category. Molequin’s Taupe leather strap seeks to defy the norm thanks to its versatile light brown color, white stitching, and pebble grain texture. The taupe shade can blend in if it needs to but also be a conversation starter on certain pieces. Sporty yet classy like many dive pieces aim to be, this band runs the gamut of 17mm in width to 22mm and is constructed of grained calf skin leather. 

Bulang & Sons Denim Blue Retro Leather Watch Strap

Best Distressed Strap: Some view leather at its best when it’s shown some wear and tear. Netherlands-based brand Bulang & Sons specializes in its curated selection, each piece hand-picked by the company’s founder or team member. This selvage-inspired strap was designed in Italy by Jean-Paul Menicucci, one of the world’s most renowned artisans in the field. Distressed to appear like a pair of old jeans, the coloring on these bands blends vintage aesthetic with ruggedness. Not only that but the pattern is different for each piece ensuring that no two are the same. Fixing a permanent spot in your onw rotation, the vegetable-tanned leather develops a patina over time and blends seamlessly with most of your vintage watches.

Seventh Creation Yellow Tan Watch Strap

Best Custom: Etsy has a lot of fantastic options for fan-made leather straps (and non-leather straps). However, we couldn’t help but be smitten by this Yellow Tan strap from Seventh Creation, which is made by hand and can be personalized. You can totally tailor the length, thickness, and even thread color, with nearly two dozen options for width alone (even one for the OMEGA MoonSwatch). Using hypoallergenic and sweat-resistant Zermatt Hass luxury leather, the strap pairs really well with chronographs but can be a solid option for other styles as well.

The STrap Tailor Badalassi Bund Watch Strap

Best Bund Strap: Nearly $200 is a lot to pay for just a watch strap. However, if you’ve already spent thousands of dollars on your new timepiece, what’s an extra couple of Benjamins? Especially when that strap is a Bund. Popular among fighter pilots to protect their skin from the heat conducting through the backs of their timepieces, Bund straps transcended utility to become a style symbol in the 1970s; a favorite among the likes of Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, and Miles Davis. This beautiful Badalassi model from The Strap Tailor is hand-made with the brand’s Wax Calfskin leather, stitched with polyester thread, and adorned with one of four buckle options. The band also comes in a wide array of widths, from 17mm all the way to 24mm.

The Best Minimalist Watches to Wear

If you’re looking for some quality timepieces to test drive your brand-new leather straps, then head over to our guide to the best minimalist watches you can buy.