What are the functional advantages of a real croc/alligator pattern strap vs one made of just regular cow leather that's been made into that pattern?
Difference between real croc/alligator and calf leather?
FlyPenFly
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Don't see why it would be an issue with any one who would find a cow leather strap acceptable. The gators that got turned into straps were farmed as much as a cow.
I think the gator/croc skin is more water/sweat resistant as well, it feels totally different as well
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From a strap makers point of view, Croc / Gator Grain Embossed straps offers the customer the look of genuine hide but at a fraction of the cost.
People's impressions of crocs / gators are these great big 15ft plus animals we see Steve Irwine tackling but reality is farmed animals upto 2-3ft, from each you get enough hide for 6 straps and maybe a few more using the flanc. Hide is very expensive and that cost once spread across 6 straps gives some indication of the high cost involved per strap.
The raw material for embossed straps is calf leather, almost a bi product and the cost is alot cheaper, with embossed templates there is very little wastage as the pattern is repeated to maximise the number of straps.
There is very little to choose from between embossed and calf leather, it is a preference to finish and style, but a different case for embossed against genuine hide, a ÂŁ30 embossed strap will not have the same qualities on close examination as a ÂŁ100+ genuine hide strap.
I seriously believe there is room in the strap market for all types and due to modern technologies the opportunities are endless, take a look at the variation Hirsch offers for what some simply think "it is just a strap!"
The right strap on the right watch can make a world of difference.
People's impressions of crocs / gators are these great big 15ft plus animals we see Steve Irwine tackling but reality is farmed animals upto 2-3ft, from each you get enough hide for 6 straps and maybe a few more using the flanc. Hide is very expensive and that cost once spread across 6 straps gives some indication of the high cost involved per strap.
The raw material for embossed straps is calf leather, almost a bi product and the cost is alot cheaper, with embossed templates there is very little wastage as the pattern is repeated to maximise the number of straps.
There is very little to choose from between embossed and calf leather, it is a preference to finish and style, but a different case for embossed against genuine hide, a ÂŁ30 embossed strap will not have the same qualities on close examination as a ÂŁ100+ genuine hide strap.
I seriously believe there is room in the strap market for all types and due to modern technologies the opportunities are endless, take a look at the variation Hirsch offers for what some simply think "it is just a strap!"
The right strap on the right watch can make a world of difference.
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I guess I'm speaking from a functional point of view. Is there a functional quality difference between a Camille Fournet $50 alligator style strap than a $250 genuine alligator strap?
I imagine in terms of longevity, it would depend more on the curing process than the actual material it was made with?
For example, an iPhone case from vajacases.com is far nicer than say a normal Belkin iPhone case in both fit, longevity, and beauty.
I imagine in terms of longevity, it would depend more on the curing process than the actual material it was made with?
For example, an iPhone case from vajacases.com is far nicer than say a normal Belkin iPhone case in both fit, longevity, and beauty.
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If by functional quality difference you mean resistance to wear, the two leathers should wear the same if they were tanned the same. Inexpensive straps tend to show edge separation, stitching deterioration and cracking while a well made calf, ostrich or croc strap will hold up for longer. Longevity is determined mostly by good leather preparation, assembly and finishing techniques.
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I think alot depends on the manufacturer and the processes involved, some Far Eastern straps have been known to be padded using scrunched up newspaper, shape and form does not last long.
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I have a real croc strap that came with one of my watches and the biggest difference I can tell between that and calf leather is that it's somehow softer at the same thickness. I find leather can be pretty hard to "soften up" whereas croc is surprisingly soft from the beginning. I also find I sweat less under the croc strap than my leather straps.
Perhaps these things are subjective, but even if not, I'm not sure the price difference justifies getting croc over leather...
Perhaps these things are subjective, but even if not, I'm not sure the price difference justifies getting croc over leather...
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If you care about sustainability, the negative environmental impacts of farming crocodiles are generally very high. Crocodiles (even small ones) eat a lot of meat, and the animals they are fed (cows, sheep, whatever), consume a lot of feed and water. So each strap is actually very water and resource intensive. Hence the high $$$ cost.
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While they may be resource-intensive to produce, hasn't the farming of crocs and gators led to a decrease in poaching and a rebound in wild population? I'm not sure about Australia, but in Louisiana, the wild alligator population has become better off than it was before farming was introduced. (Also, farmed Louisiana alligators, which I'd imagine are the kind most likely to wind up as straps, are often fed nutria- an invasive and overpopulated rodent.)
I think they are fed carcasses of farmed Nutria (wonderful soft fur) and chicken that cannot go into the human foodchain.
Alligator is very tasty.....
Going back to straps, I am yet to see an embossed calf that has, even remotely, the same feel and look as the real deal.
Alligator is very tasty.....
Going back to straps, I am yet to see an embossed calf that has, even remotely, the same feel and look as the real deal.
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3,628 Posts
I agree, the feel of calf embossed vs. real croc are different. Look-wise, it can certainly fool the public but overall, the real ones just feels better. I guess it makes me feel good too knowing I have the real thing.
There are certainly a market for both though, with calf embossed being a good and cheaper alternative.
There are certainly a market for both though, with calf embossed being a good and cheaper alternative.
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164 Posts
Why are so many going on about the environment and cheaper cost?? The OP was asking about functional advantages of real croc vs embossed calf. While it is good to be concerned about the environment and the cost, those factors are besides the point.
Personlly I have never owned a genuine croc strap and would be interested if there are any tangible, functional advantages to it as well.
Personlly I have never owned a genuine croc strap and would be interested if there are any tangible, functional advantages to it as well.
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5,399 Posts
I have had numerous croc and watch straps, and also belts.
Croc and gator are fabulous hides. The texture and shape of the scales, with harder scale material and softer material between the scales, is a very rich, intricate and high end hide. If you appreciate fine things, croc and gator bands are wonderful. I find no difference in the breathability of the hide. However, as with many fine things, I find them to be less durable. The different textures of the hide, of the scale and in between the scales, make for a natural crease/fold/crack or tear line, and depending on exactly where the buckle and tang holes lie on the specific piece of leather, you can get cracks or fragmentation over time that you would not see on cow hide. But the leather is so beautiful and naturally intricate, and nothing else comes to close to "dress" as does croc or even gator. Fake gator or croc looks fake.
Hornback gator
![Image]()
Here is a WUSer's thread on gator straps: https://www.watchuseek.com/f20/top-ten-alligator-straps-ive-owned-719451.html
Croc and gator are fabulous hides. The texture and shape of the scales, with harder scale material and softer material between the scales, is a very rich, intricate and high end hide. If you appreciate fine things, croc and gator bands are wonderful. I find no difference in the breathability of the hide. However, as with many fine things, I find them to be less durable. The different textures of the hide, of the scale and in between the scales, make for a natural crease/fold/crack or tear line, and depending on exactly where the buckle and tang holes lie on the specific piece of leather, you can get cracks or fragmentation over time that you would not see on cow hide. But the leather is so beautiful and naturally intricate, and nothing else comes to close to "dress" as does croc or even gator. Fake gator or croc looks fake.
Hornback gator
Here is a WUSer's thread on gator straps: https://www.watchuseek.com/f20/top-ten-alligator-straps-ive-owned-719451.html
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There is also a very similar thread in the strap section. First, stamped or pressed leather will never duplicate the look of a beautiful real croc. Beyond that dyed and pressed leather will tend to lose its finish and expose the untanned leather underneath. I have never owned a "high end stamped faux croc" because to me, it's an oxymoron.
If its pictures you want, checkout this site, which I believed to be the Rolce Royce brand of strap makers:
Attila Aszodi Custom Designs
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There's more depth to the grain of the real stuff. I don't wear mine enough to judge longevity, though.
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