How to identify if a watch strap is genuine leather?

    Leather watch straps are beautiful and fashionable, and are loved by everyone! However, some leather straps on the market are not genuine leather. How can we identify if a watch strap is genuine leather? Let Watch Home tell you!

1. Touch test

    By touching the surface of the leather with your hand, if it feels smooth, soft, plump, and elastic, it is genuine leather; whereas synthetic leather usually feels astringent, stiff, and lacks flexibility.

2. Visual inspection

    Genuine leather surfaces feature distinct pores and patterns; cowhide has relatively uniform fine pores, yak leather has coarser and sparser pores, and goatskin has fish-scale-like pores.

3. Smell

    All genuine leather has a characteristic leathery scent, whereas synthetic leather typically carries a strong, pungent plastic odour.

4. Burning test

    Remove a few fibres from the back of the material and ignite them. If it emits a pungent odour and forms a hard lump, it is synthetic leather. If it smells like burning hair and does not form a hard lump, it is genuine leather.

5. Water absorption test

    Genuine leather has good water absorption, while synthetic leather is water-resistant. Dip your finger in water and rub it on the strap; if it absorbs water well, it is genuine leather. If it absorbs poorly or not at all, it is likely synthetic.