What's the difference between Horween leather and leather?
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Horween is a leather company, one of the last tanneries in the US, in fact. It's been in business over 100 years and is on its 4th generation of family ownership. Horween is the official leather supplier to the NBA and NFL for game balls, and has been for decades. The company sells very high quality leather, often to custom boot and shoemakers, and apparently to watch strapmakers as well. I imagine that they charge more for Horween leather because it's some of the best quality available, and the best never comes cheap.
As far as the tangible difference between Horween supplied leather and leather from another source, that's the kind of thing you'd have to compare hands on, and preferably by seeing and working with large pieces, since that's the best way to assess overall quality.
As far as the tangible difference between Horween supplied leather and leather from another source, that's the kind of thing you'd have to compare hands on, and preferably by seeing and working with large pieces, since that's the best way to assess overall quality.
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·I can only speak for "Shell Cordovan" by Horween which - for example - is used by NOMOS to fit all their watches:
Shell Cordovan leather is a horse hide, unlike most common leather products originating from cow hides. The Shell Cordovan leather is a very unique product. Shell Cordovan leather is tanned and finished by the old fashioned method of natural pure vergetable tanning, hand staining, hand glazing and finishing. According to „Horween Genuine Shell Cordovan“ this hand process takes approximately five month to be completed.
Shell Cordovan leather is known for its durability and comfort.
BTW: A „fairy tale“ says that the fine art of tanning was brought to New York´s leather district by German immigrants. „Cordovan“ is a corruption of „Cordoba“, a city in southern Spain, where the technique of tanning this leather originates from.
Shell Cordovan leather is a horse hide, unlike most common leather products originating from cow hides. The Shell Cordovan leather is a very unique product. Shell Cordovan leather is tanned and finished by the old fashioned method of natural pure vergetable tanning, hand staining, hand glazing and finishing. According to „Horween Genuine Shell Cordovan“ this hand process takes approximately five month to be completed.
Shell Cordovan leather is known for its durability and comfort.
BTW: A „fairy tale“ says that the fine art of tanning was brought to New York´s leather district by German immigrants. „Cordovan“ is a corruption of „Cordoba“, a city in southern Spain, where the technique of tanning this leather originates from.
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Just to expand on Mike's answer, Horween is famous for its cordovan. Cordovan is made from the hindquarters of horses, and the pieces produced are only a few square feet in area, as opposed to a cowhide, which is generally 40-50 sq.ft., of which about 20 sq.ft. are the best quality. Horween is the only producer left in North America for what is arguably the most expensive leather available. Hides are imported from France or Quebec and the tanning process takes up to six months.
Shell cordovan, in addition to Nomos watch straps, is usually made into shoes, with each cheek piece being enough for one shoe. The world renowned Lobb's of London will make you a custom sized and fitted pair of shoes from cordovan leather for about $5,000.
Shell cordovan, in addition to Nomos watch straps, is usually made into shoes, with each cheek piece being enough for one shoe. The world renowned Lobb's of London will make you a custom sized and fitted pair of shoes from cordovan leather for about $5,000.
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