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erling · 30 July 2008, 01:31 PM

I just wanted to know if you guys took your leather band Rolexes with you swimming. Are the leather bands waterproof, or do they tend to shrink after diving. Does Rolex give any information about this?
Regards,
Erling

pwrslider · 30 July 2008, 01:35 PM

BOB straps makes a waterproof leather ( SPORTIVO ). I use them on my Pams all the time with no problems at all....do shrink..no leaky dyes!

oneillba · 30 July 2008, 01:38 PM

For me, leather bands have never faired well, even though they may have been advertised as "waterproof". Metal bands, of any flavor, seem to be superior to the task of "waterproofness".

Wolfgang427 · 30 July 2008, 02:39 PM

Leather and water do not mix, waterproof or not.

Get yourself a metal or a rubber band instead.

vegaseddie · 30 July 2008, 02:42 PM

From my experience the leather band will not fare well if used in water. That to me is a big downside to a leather band. I like to wear my watches when I swim.

Incurable · 30 July 2008, 02:59 PM

DiModell and Hirsch also make waterproof leather bands. I've had them in the past and have them now. For the shower, washing the hands, etc. they are fine. If you're diving, I think not. Keep in mind, the worst is at the spring pins where it takes forever to dry out. Removing them after some months of wearing isn't a pretty sight. Sloughed leather and close, trapped environment makes for some pretty disgusting goo.

Trurolexer · 30 July 2008, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfgang427

Leather and water do not mix, waterproof or not.

Get yourself a metal or a rubber band instead.

DSJ · 30 July 2008, 11:59 PM

How about shark skin?

Tools · 31 July 2008, 01:48 AM

I've got a Croc strap on an old Sub...It seems to fare pretty well...

veefour · 31 July 2008, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSJ

How about shark skin?

JJ Irani · 31 July 2008, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSJ

How about shark skin?

Yeah, right.....how the hell do you catch one?

Portzed · 31 July 2008, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSJ

How about shark skin?

All 'white' then 'blue', what about 'whale' you're 'basking' in the sun, wouldn't it 'mako' your strap go all split as it dried out? Just like a 'tiger' had made 'ragged-tooth' marks in it? what a load of 'bull'

'hammerhead'

Couldn't resist

Tareg · 31 July 2008, 04:53 AM

Actually shark and stingray leather should be fine in the water, stingray is the better of the two but more expensive.

Welshwatchman · 31 July 2008, 05:32 AM

The croc straps on my Omega and Rolex have been in the sea or pool many times.

I guess crocodiles fare pretty well in water.

Timber Loftis · 31 July 2008, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

I guess crocodiles fare pretty well in water.

Yeah, but that is *before* they take a trip to the tannery.

Frampton · 31 July 2008, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

The croc straps on my Omega and Rolex have been in the sea or pool many times.

I guess crocodiles fare pretty well in water.

I thought that most croc and gator straps are still backed with leather. I'd like to know the answer for sure. I would love to be able to take my gator straps in the water.

Welshwatchman · 31 July 2008, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frampton

I thought that most croc and gator straps are still backed with leather. I'd like to know the answer for sure. I would love to be able to take my gator straps in the water.

Both my alligator straps are lined with a waterproof material. They have had at least 20 hours "submerged" and still look pretty good today.

I can't say whether the branded Rolex croc strap I have confined to the box is lined this way though. It would be too expensive an exercise to test out since Rolex charge an insane premium for their branded straps.

Frampton · 31 July 2008, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

Both my alligator straps are lined with a waterproof material. They have had at least 20 hours "submerged" and still look pretty good today.

I can't say whether the branded Rolex croc strap I have confined to the box is lined this way though. It would be too expensive an exercise to test out since Rolex charge an insane premium for their branded straps.

Paul: May i ask the brand of your alligator straps? I have several Panerai gator straps, and they do not indicate that they are lined with waterproof material. But I would like to find some.

Welshwatchman · 5 August 2008, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frampton

Paul: May i ask the brand of your alligator straps? I have several Panerai gator straps, and they do not indicate that they are lined with waterproof material. But I would like to find some.

I got them both from Banda.com.

Just $100 each, one in black and one in honey brown. So much better quality than the original from Rolex (Daytona) and Omega (Speedy).

$100 a piece is quite a bargain. I think they do Panerai style straps but I can't vouch for them. They do look good value also though.

dsimon9 · 5 August 2008, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Yeah, right.....how the hell do you catch one?

You take a piece of cheese, jump into the water, dip the cheese in the water and start saying "here sharky, sharky, sharky. here sharky, sharky, sharky." After you catch him, count your fingers to make sure they are all still there.

Z-Sub · 5 August 2008, 04:24 PM

I stopped wearing leather long time ago. It is not waterproof forever.
Sweat is "caustic" and will eventually wear off any protective layer and the sweat will eventually permeate the strap. I don't like the smell of it.
I wash my SS bracelet weekly. Can't see myself washing the leather strap. tried it. had to get new one once it starts to smell everytime.

30 July 2008, 01:31 PM	#1
erling "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Erling Location: Iceland Watch: Sub and TT DJ Posts: 744	Leather bands in water I just wanted to know if you guys took your leather band Rolexes with you swimming. Are the leather bands waterproof, or do they tend to shrink after diving. Does Rolex give any information about this? Regards, Erling

30 July 2008, 01:35 PM	#2
pwrslider "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Real Name: Steve Location: SF BAY AREA CA Watch: 16710 Coke Posts: 3,047	BOB straps makes a waterproof leather ( SPORTIVO ). I use them on my Pams all the time with no problems at all....do shrink..no leaky dyes! __________________ Rolex Blue TT Submariner (95) Rolex SS GMT IIc (08) Rolex GMT II 16710 COKE (08 for me..) Rolex Explorer II Blk (91) Breitling SuperOcean Steelfish (07) Panerai 104 & 177ti ( 04/03)

30 July 2008, 01:38 PM	#3
oneillba "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: Brian Location: Hamilton, MI USA Watch: My beloved TT DJ Posts: 3,831	For me, leather bands have never faired well, even though they may have been advertised as "waterproof". Metal bands, of any flavor, seem to be superior to the task of "waterproofness". __________________ My Trusty TT DJ

30 July 2008, 02:42 PM	#5
vegaseddie "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Eddie Location: Las Vegas Posts: 186	From my experience the leather band will not fare well if used in water. That to me is a big downside to a leather band. I like to wear my watches when I swim. __________________ "There are only two types of people in this world, those who like Neil Diamond and those who don't". Bob Wiley 16030A, 16013, 116520

30 July 2008, 02:59 PM	#6
Incurable "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Real Name: Pat Location: PNW Watch: your P's and Q's Posts: 2,549	DiModell and Hirsch also make waterproof leather bands. I've had them in the past and have them now. For the shower, washing the hands, etc. they are fine. If you're diving, I think not. Keep in mind, the worst is at the spring pins where it takes forever to dry out. Removing them after some months of wearing isn't a pretty sight. Sloughed leather and close, trapped environment makes for some pretty disgusting goo. __________________ Rolex GMT Master II 16710 (Blk/Blk) Rolex Explorer 114270 Sinn 356 Sa Flieger Limes Endurance 1Tausend Too many others... #2592 It may seem like I'm doing nothing but, at a cellular level, I'm actually quite busy...

30 July 2008, 02:39 PM	#4
Wolfgang427 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Wolfgang Location: New Jersey. Watch: Rolex Tudor Omega Posts: 5,590	Leather and water do not mix, waterproof or not. Get yourself a metal or a rubber band instead.

30 July 2008, 11:59 PM	#8
DSJ "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: David Location: USA Watch: your step! Posts: 7,882	How about shark skin? __________________ Rolex. The Rolex of watches. 16570 Expy2 Noir, 116710 GMT Master II, 2552.80 SMP

31 July 2008, 01:48 AM	#9
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,129	I've got a Croc strap on an old Sub...It seems to fare pretty well... __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

31 July 2008, 04:53 AM	#13
Tareg "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LNDN/Turks&Caicos Watch: Sea-Dweller Posts: 212	Actually shark and stingray leather should be fine in the water, stingray is the better of the two but more expensive.

31 July 2008, 05:32 AM	#14
Welshwatchman "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Real Name: Paul Location: Wales, UK Posts: 14,578	The croc straps on my Omega and Rolex have been in the sea or pool many times. I guess crocodiles fare pretty well in water. __________________ ..33

5 August 2008, 04:24 PM	#21
Z-Sub 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: So Cal, USA Watch: Not a ONEWatch Man Posts: 7,383	I stopped wearing leather long time ago. It is not waterproof forever. Sweat is "caustic" and will eventually wear off any protective layer and the sweat will eventually permeate the strap. I don't like the smell of it. I wash my SS bracelet weekly. Can't see myself washing the leather strap. tried it. had to get new one once it starts to smell everytime. __________________ SS Submariner Date "Z" SS SeaDweller "D" SS Submariner "Random" TT Blue Submariner "P" SS GMT-Master ll "M", Pepsi Pam 311, 524, 297

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