Leather Strap vs Metal Watch Band: which one is for you?

The band is a hugely important design feature of any watch, as most watch aficionados will tell you, it's the first thing people will notice ahead of the brand or other features and will hold most of the aesthetic appeal of your watch. Therefore, it is important to understand the benefits and drawbacks of either a leather or metal band, because if you’re going to invest in an everyday watch, it's a decision you want to get right.

 

About Leather Watch Strap

 

Leather straps hold a classic, timeless appeal. Popularised by Rolex, they were first born out of necessity as men who weren’t wearing their jackets and vests in hot weather had nowhere to put their pocket watches. Today, watch straps made of leather are still extremely popular due to the material’s soft and lightweight feel. They are used on a broad range of timepieces and come in a multitude of different styles.

The leather we see in clothing and accessories is commonly made from cowhide, but leather watch band styles also include alligator, calf, crocodile, ostrich, and shark hides. Each material has its own unique texture, pattern and beauty. Leather adds a touch of sophistication to a watch and is a great match for accessories, such as belts, shoes, and bags.

Leather strap watches are immensely versatile. Find classic designs incorporating leather straps in the elegant collection of Nivada Grenchen, in the Longines Flagship Heritage collection, in Raymond Weill’s line of timeless pieces and in Citizen’s beautiful range of watches.

 

 

One of the iconic leather watches for women available in our shop, the Raymond Weil Toccata Heritage

 

About Metal Watch Band

 

Metal bands are the most popular watch strap choice on the market. The robust and enduring quality of metal bands instils confidence in the watch’s stability. They are sturdily built and unlikely to break from day-to-day wear. For instance, the sleek metal band watches by Tissot and the convenient designs of Citizen are both impressive and ideal for everyday use.

Unlike leather straps, metal bands are suitable for many sporting activities and also perform well underwater, which makes them a popular choice for dive watches, such as the famous models by DOXA

While they offer a more modern aesthetic than leather straps, metal watch bands are easy to combine with outfits and can also be worn on formal occasions. Have a look at the elegant collection by Longines and the distinctive designs of Grand Seiko for metal band watches with contemporary cosmopolitan style.

 

 

The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Automatic, a classic among metal band watches

 

Leather Strap vs Metal watch band: two classics in comparison  

 

Leather and metal watch bands both come with their own strengths and drawbacks. Factors such as durability, maintenance and comfort should be considered when choosing the watch band that suits your taste and lifestyle.

 

Durability and resistance

Leather watch straps have a long lifespan and develop patina over time that enhances the character of your watch. While they are likely to wear out at some point, they can easily be replaced. 

Keep in mind that moisture and sweat can lead to stains or unpleasant odours, so leather straps are not the best fit for sports, especially those involving water. Metal watch bands, on the other hand, are typically crafted from high-grade metal and are highly resilient to wear and tear.

 

Maintenance

Leather watch bands require more maintenance than their metal counterparts. Regular cleaning and conditioning are needed to prevent the leather from cracking. Metal straps require less upkeep but should also be washed occasionally to keep their shine.

 

Variety

Leather and metal watch bands both offer a broad range of choices to suit any personal style. With leather, the colour, design, stitching and texture options are almost unlimited, which makes it easy to find the right leather band to go with your outfit. While metal watch straps don’t offer quite the same variety, there are many different metals and finishes to choose from. Moreover, a metal watch tends to match most outfits, whereas certain leather colour options might limit your choices.

 

 

Discover our collection of luxury watches for men with straps in leather, metal and more

 

Quality of the material

There is a broad quality spectrum for both choices. Premium leather offers a natural softness and longevity, while high-grade metals, such as stainless steel, titanium or gold, guarantee resilience and durability.

 

Weight and thickness

Leather straps tend to be lightweight and flexible, while metal bands are thicker and heavier, making them feel more substantial on the wrist. While some prefer the weight of metal, others enjoy the lighter comfort of leather for everyday wear.

 

Comfort

Leather watch bands offer excellent comfort as they are soft and highly breathable. While they may feel stiff at first, they tend to adapt to your wrist shape over time. Leather watchbands are also easier to adjust for size, as they usually fasten with a pin buckle, so all you need to do is move the pin to a different hole. Changing the size of your metal watch band typically requires adding or removing links, which can be time-consuming and may require specialised tools.  

Metal watch bands are less breathable and tend to have a cooler and firmer feel, and some find them too heavy or uncomfortable in hotter weather. However, there are remarkable differences between different bands, and most modern metal bands offer a high level of comfort.

 

Versatility

Leather is highly versatile, as it lends itself naturally to formal and business occasions but is also a great fit for casual outfits. However, it is less suited to intense outdoor and water activities. Metal watch bands tend to look modern and sporty, which makes them a great choice for casual outings, but they can also be worn in many formal settings.

 

Price

Generally, metal watch bands tend to be more expensive than those made of leather. However, band prices vary depending on material quality, design and brand.

 

 

Shop our range of ladies watches with leather straps, steel straps and more

 

A feeling of luxury

While premium leather exudes classic style and understatement, metal watch bands stand for a modern and dynamic type of luxury. As seen, choosing between a leather or metal strap watch depends on several factors that require careful consideration.

 

	Leather watch straps	Metal watch straps
Durability and resistance	highly durable but not waterproof likely need to be replaced after a few years	highly resilient to tear and wear
Maintenance	require regular care and cleaning	low-maintenance
Variety	offer a very wide variety of colours, designs and textures	come in a variety of metals and finishes
Weight and thickness	lightweight and flexible	usually thicker and heavier than leather straps
Comfort	soft and breathable and mould to the wrist after a while size can be easily adjusted	less breathable with a weightier and firmer feel size is less easy to adjust
Versatility	suitable for all kinds of formal and informal occasions	more informal and slightly less versatile, but also suitable for many formal occasions
Price	generally less expensive than metal bands, but prices vary depending on brand and design	generally more expensive than leather straps

 

Choose a watch with a leather strap if  

 

• You would like a lightweight watch strap that moulds to your wrist shape over time for a perfect fit.
• You want your watch strap to be lightweight and very comfortable.
• You prefer a classic, understated look that can be worn on all social occasions.
• You don’t plan to wear your watch for any activities that expose it to sweat or water.

 

 

The iconic Longines Flagship Heritage Automatic Watch

 

Choose a watch with a metal watch band if  

 

• You like the heavier feel of a metal band on your wrist.
• You are looking for versatility in your watch and want to combine it with any outfit for any occasion.
• You plan to wear your watch for sports, including water sports like diving.
• You want your watch band to be resilient, durable and low-maintenance.

 

 

 The icon Grand Seiko Snowflake Quartz Watch in Titanium

 

Other watch straps to consider  

 

Beyond the classic choice of leather or metal, there are several other options that have their own advantages:

• Rubber watch bands, such as the bands of Garmin watches, are perfect for sports and diving as they are water resistant.
• Nato watch straps, as for instance on the emerald DOXA SUB 200, are made of nylon. They are lightweight, breathable and a great option for casual use.
• Canvas watch bands are usually made of woven cotton canvas and offer comfort and durability. TAG Heuer incorporates them into some of their models.
• Mesh watch strap, also known as Milanese straps, are made from braded bands of woven metal, which gives them a uniquely elegant and modern look. You can find them on watches by brands such as Longines and Citizen.

 

 

The Garmin Fenix 8 Pro – 51 mm Amoled Carbon Grey with rubber strap

 

Conclusion

As both leather and metal watch straps have significant advantages, it’s impossible to give a general recommendation for either of them. They both have their distinct character and come in a wide range of designs and styles. 

Whether to opt for leather or metal remains a question of preference. Ultimately, your perfect choice of watch band depends on your individual lifestyle, habits and taste.

Find the watch that matches your personality at Wallace Allan