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Classic-looking watches that use faux leather?

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YonathanZ

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi,

There are so many watches that I've seen on Amazon and Google Images that are affordable and look great to me, but most of them use real leather which, as a vegan, I will never use.

I was wondering what my options are for classic-looking watches, other than buying really cheap "leather" watches on eBay, that are almost guaranteed to use faux leather.

The KC1514 Kenneth Cole watch is probably one of the best I've seen recently. Unfortunately, it uses real skin.
Also, I really like the idea of viewing the mechanism from the front, not just the back. It's less readable as a watch, but it's almost hypnotizing to look at.

Thank you.
 
#2 ·
YonathanZ said:
There are so many watches that I've seen on Amazon and Google Images that are affordable and look great to me, but most of them use real leather which, as a vegan, I will never use.

I was wondering what my options are for classic-looking watches, other than buying really cheap "leather" watches on eBay, that are almost guaranteed to use faux leather.

The KC1514 Kenneth Cole watch is probably one of the best I've seen recently. Unfortunately, it uses real skin.
Also, I really like the idea of viewing the mechanism from the front, not just the back. It's less readable as a watch, but it's almost hypnotizing to look at.
Click to expand...
Do you object to using a leather strap or to buying one? If it's the former, you can buy any watch you like and change the strap. It's very easy. If it's the latter, you're bound to find a watch with metal bracelet, mesh, textile or rubber strap. Particularly for the classic look this will limit your options considerably. Faux leather straps are not common at all.
 
#5 ·
Hi Yonathan--
For high quality watches, your best bet is to buy a watch on a bracelet and switch it out for whatever strap you want. Most watches have standard lug widths -- 18mm, 20mm, 22mm -- and you can easily pop out the spring bars or unscrew the screw bars to put whatever strap you want. Just buy a very cheap springbar tool like this one, or take it to a jeweler or watch repair shop. (The nice ones will swap for you for free; other folks will only charge you a few dollars).

Your Kenneth Cole watch comes on a bracelet, at actually a lower price than the one on the strap: https://www.amazon.com/Kenneth-Cole...dp/B001EWEL7G/ref=pd_sim_241_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=M3QXXERYXGDKTXK4M2YS

Easy peasy.

Another option would be something like the Orient CDB05001 (sometimes called the Goldeneye)- an 'open heart' watch on a steel band that would also be easy to replace.
Pricier, but worth it.
Orient Golden Eye Open Heart Automatic Watch with Sapphire Crystal #CDB05001W
Image


I'm sure there are high quality faux-leather straps out there (though I haven't looked a lot). You can also use Nylon (NATO) straps, or the new rage, Perlon straps.

If you want a "classic" watch that comes on a strap that's not leather (and are OK with a quartz watch), the Timex Weekender comes to mind:
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=fashion&field-keywords=timex+weekener
Image


Doesn't really get much more classic than that.

And if you want an auto, and are willing to go with smaller watches, then the Seiko 5 SNK803 (or -05, -07, or -09) also fits the bill. Not a skeleton watch, but something... :)
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...oss_2?url=search-alias=fashion&field-keywords=Seiko+5&rh=n:7141123011,k:Seiko+5

Image


There are also other watchmakers who make auto watches that some on nylon or cotton straps, but I'm not sure exactly of the style you're looking for, or your price or size range.
 
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Discussion starter · #6 ·
I object to both, hence the limitation in buying options.

I could buy one with a different kind of strap and buy a faux leather one separately, but then I'd have to imagine what it would look like with it, and it may look out of place after all.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
YonathanZ said:
I object to both, hence the limitation in buying options.

I could buy one with a different kind of strap and buy a faux leather one separately, but then I'd have to imagine what it would look like with it, and it may look out of place after all.
Click to expand...
^ this was meant to be a reply to ffritz...

Thank you for finding the KC3828, it's pretty much what I wanted.
Do you think it would work well with casual clothing? I really like the classical watch look, but I wear casual so I'm not sure about the bracelet / leather strap look. I feel it looks too nice for my clothes. :)
 
#9 ·
Be fully aware that most anything inexpensive (Translation <$10-15 USD or so) that's advertised as faux leather may not be trustworthy - sometimes it's cheaper to use farm animal leather or worse and claim it to be fake.

Also be aware that some canvas or other textile straps have leather backing for comfort. If you see canvas based on a tiny picture, that doesn't give you enough info to declare it leather-free.

Stuff on bracelet, on rubber, and pass-through straps (like a Timex Weekender) are probably as clear about what they are as anything you're going to find.
 
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#10 · (Edited)
YonathanZ said:
^ this was meant to be a reply to ffritz...

Thank you for finding the KC3828, it's pretty much what I wanted.
Do you think it would work well with casual clothing? I really like the classical watch look, but I wear casual so I'm not sure about the bracelet / leather strap look. I feel it looks too nice for my clothes. :)
Click to expand...
I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "classical watch look." Skeleton watches can look a little formal, but aren't always necessarily formal. Is it the Roman numerals you find to be too formal? Then what about the KC3925?
https://www.amazon.com/Kenneth-Cole...3R72H6I/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1486066297&sr=8-20&keywords=cole+skeleton+watch
Image

The indices rather than the roman numerals make it cleaner and slightly more casual.
---

In general, watches on bracelets are considered less formal than watches on leather. And a nice, woven Perlon strap would make it even more casual.
Image


Another orient open heart on various straps:


No, it won't look "too nice" for your clothes.
 
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Discussion starter · #11 ·
Perdendosi said:
I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "classical watch look." Skeleton watches can look a little formal, but aren't always necessarily formal. Is it the Roman numerals you find to be too formal? Then what about the KC3925?
https://www.amazon.com/Kenneth-Cole...3R72H6I/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1486066297&sr=8-20&keywords=cole+skeleton+watch
Image

The indices rather than the roman numerals make it cleaner and slightly more casual.
---

In general, watches on bracelets are considered less formal than watches on leather. And a nice, woven Perlon strap would make it even more casual.
Image


Another orient open heart on various straps:
My new Orient Moderno - Album on Imgur

No, it won't look "too nice" for your clothes.
Click to expand...
Oddly enough, my favorite watches are indeed formal looking, though I never wear anything remotely formal.
For example, the Omega watches featured in James Bond movies. They look so nice with those James Bond suits, but I think they'd look weird with casual clothing.
Then again, I just saw one with a textile strap - looked casual enough for me.
 
Discussion starter · #13 · (Edited)
Must be the guy and not the clothing, then.
Oh well, I'll know which watch to buy if I can ever afford it. :D

Anything remotely as nice as the Seamaster for a mere mortal's budget?

I can't even choose a type of watch. So many of them look so nice. Guess with their bold colors, Omega with that perfect black face, that Kenneth Cole with the visible movement (TIL they're called 'skeletons')... And I'm supposed to pick just one? :think:
 
#14 ·
Yon,
I can't help you much, picking out a watch. But I can echo the advice to buy one on a bracelet, then shop for a second or third strap. Peruse the selection at www.cheapestnatostraps.com, just to see what's available. Then Google "diver's watch straps" and "tropic watch straps." to see a few more choices.

I'd stay away from "faux leather", I think. Watch straps endure a lot of abuse, especially around the buckle pin. Not sure how long faux would last. On the other hand, Lorica is supposed to be some pretty tough stuff. (It's used for motorcycle boots.) Here are some examples of Lorica: https://www.globalwatchband.com/watch-straps/mens-watch-straps/lorica-waterproof.html

If it's within your price range, one of the Orient open heart watches, maybe with a dark blue dial would look great on perlon or a bracelet and be casual and versatile. Be careful, though. I was about to post a picture of the Orient Eclipse, but it looks like the lugs (where the strap attaches) are not standard, so you might be stuck with the bracelet with that model. Try googling "orient open heart blue" and see if anything pushes your buttons:
 
#15 ·
I suggest buying a watch on a metal bracelet and buying an aftermarket cork, canvas, nylon or perlon strap in a color that matches the dial or a color accent on the watch. Check out the daily WRUW threads for inspiration.

Also, i want to mention how much I love F71 for just answering OP's question. Not a single negative comment on another person's ideology or lifestyle.

F71: the last respectful place on the internet
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
Ten-Ten said:
Yon,
I can't help you much, picking out a watch. But I can echo the advice to buy one on a bracelet, then shop for a second or third strap. Peruse the selection at www.cheapestnatostraps.com, just to see what's available. Then Google "diver's watch straps" and "tropic watch straps." to see a few more choices.

I'd stay away from "faux leather", I think. Watch straps endure a lot of abuse, especially around the buckle pin. Not sure how long faux would last. On the other hand, Lorica is supposed to be some pretty tough stuff. (It's used for motorcycle boots.) Here are some examples of Lorica: https://www.globalwatchband.com/watch-straps/mens-watch-straps/lorica-waterproof.html

If it's within your price range, one of the Orient open heart watches, maybe with a dark blue dial would look great on perlon or a bracelet and be casual and versatile. Be careful, though. I was about to post a picture of the Orient Eclipse, but it looks like the lugs (where the strap attaches) are not standard, so you might be stuck with the bracelet with that model. Try googling "orient open heart blue" and see if anything pushes your buttons:
Click to expand...
These Orient watches look nice but are around $700, so way out of budget. I want to spend up to $150 or so, and I have to take shipping and import charges to Israel into account as well. Nice find on the "vegan leather" straps, by the way.
 
#20 ·
Fellow vegan here! As many people have suggested, the best way to go is buy on a bracelet and switch out to an aftermarket band. Be careful though, I've noted a few strapmakers that use leather to back or bind their canvas or nylon. Drop them an e-mail to be sure before ordering!

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk
 
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