HOW TO SOFTEN A LEATHER WATCH STRAP (Episode 109)

#watch #reviews #leather
How do you soften a leather watch strap? This is very important if you have just purchased a new watch and the leather watch band is stiff.
Today I teach you my 3 step process to make any leather watch band soft, supple and comfortable to wear. Now you don't have to wait months to break in a leather watch band.
And now you can learn how to soften new leather watch bands with things you have around your home without spending money on expensive leather softeners.
See my review of the watch repair kit mentioned in this video here:
• Watch Owners This SAVE...
I hope you enjoy this episode and find it useful.
As always please do subscribe to my channel if you love watches and beer. I bring you great content 3 times a week.
You can also follow me on Instagram at:
/ beer_and_watches
Follow me on Facebook at:
/ mattjohnsonbw
Thanks to all my loyal subscribers and followers, your support means the world to me :) See you all again on Wednesday for another episode of Beer And Watches.
Best. MJ

[@romanpechaczek8540]

Worked well for a stiff piece of leather I needed to soften up. Thanks for the advice.

[@BeerandWatches]

Roman, I am super happy this worked for you :) Thanks for sharing. Best, MJ

[@migsfabregas]

I’m a LEATHER STRAP freak, and that progressive step shared here is like learning how to be a magic trick-revealing Pro🎉🍻

[@neilhoradagoda9148]

Fantastic clip. Great description.

[@wayneturner1336]

Beard oil has always worked for me. Also you should let the viewers know that if their watch band is stiff for longer than 4 hours they should see a horologist immediately.

[@BeerandWatches]

You would think I would have known about beard oil ;) Best. MJ

[@soggz4246]

@@BeerandWatches Try Aveeno oil, too.👍🏾

[@MattStefely]

Great video! And kudos on the orient bambino, fantastic watch for the money!

[@humayunmirza6835]

Thank you so much for this. I just bought my mother a watch with a stiff leather watch strap which was a disappointment, but before sending the watch back, I looked up your video, watched and followed your guidelines and it works! I'll hit that subscribe button now. Nice beard by the way.

[@BeerandWatches]

Thanks so much for the support and glad I could help :). Best, MJ

[@guruprasath5871]

Thanks brother👍🏻 , worked up well with my new leather strap🔸️🔸️

[@gmr2048]

Beer and watches? I'm in! Nice instructional. Just picked up a piece with a (cheap...stiff) leather band. The bending part improved the feel 100% in about 2 minutes. Gonna go throw some mink oil on it now (from ye olde Doc Martin days). Look forward to catching up on all your vids.

[@SatoriBeats]

Nice tips, any great looking watch

[@BeerandWatches]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate it 😊🙏

[@OG-TANMAY-7]

NO NEED FOR STEP 3 MAN YOH SOLVED MY PROBLEM IN 2 STEPS . LUV U ❤❤❤

[@OG-TANMAY-7]

THIS GUY IS UNDERRATED 😢 HE DESERVES MUCH MORE ❤❤ LUV FROM INDIA ❤❤

[@aashutosh9285]

Thanks for this mate!!!!

[@bitterboar]

Great tips, Matt. I’ll do this the next time I get a leather strap. And I have the same Bambino. Freakin love it.

[@BeerandWatches]

Thanks man, glad you found it helpful. Duuuude, I know, I love that Bambino and that colourway sooooo much!!!! Have a great weekend man😊👍 Best, MJ

[@HonestWatchReviewsHWR]

Great tips and a good video mate.

[@BeerandWatches]

Thanks man, glad you enjoyed it :) You know how it is, always trying to come up with new video ideas :) Best. MJ

[@Zpzpzzzqqwwf]

Thanx for the tip... I recently purchased a 22mm leather band for one of my watches...too stiff and was sorta uncomfortable .. Thanx 👍⌚🔥

[@toi3213]

Do you apply vaseline to back of the straps?

[@AnthonyNovak1]

Well made video. Do you have one on cleaning leather wrist bands (I couldn't find one).

[@BeerandWatches]

Thanks so much Anthony, I really appreciate it and glad you enjoyed it :) I don't have one on cleaning leather wrist bands but the best way to clean your leather band is as follows: 1) Wipe band down with a dry cloth to get rid of any residue. 2) Scrub Watch Band with Soap and Water 3) Pat down the watch strap with a damp cloth. Avoid using a wet cloth or immersing the leather in water. 4) Put a small dab of mild, moisturizing hand soap on the cloth and scrub the watch band on both sides. 5) Rinse and dampen the cloth with clean water and wipe the watch band clean. Hope this helps and thanks so much for supporting my channel :) Best, MJ

[@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR]

I can see the law suits coming thick and fast!!! Whenever I put a pair of socks in the dryer , one always disappears Matt! I can’t take that risk ;) also Vaseline!! Used to cake this on the lips in the winter when I was a nipper!!! Didn’t know it still existed! Will try this !!!

[@BeerandWatches]

Hahahaha, maybe lol. Let me know how it worked out :) Best. MJ

[@josepha5]

Great video Matt!!!!!Never thought the dryer. Gonna try it out. Be safe

[@BeerandWatches]

Thanks man. Let me know how it goes :) Best. MJ

[@silverhippie3910]

Nice tip. Old Milwaukee!! Drinking in the woods in High School. Oh Good Times. Nice leg lamp by the way.✌

[@BeerandWatches]

Thanks man, love the leg lamp. Do you know the movie? Glad the beer brought back memories, I think we all did that ;) See you Wednesday, don't forget it's the announcement of the Stalingrad watch winner. Best. MJ

[@silverhippie3910]

@@BeerandWatches of course, Christmas Story is on for 24 hours every Christmas Eve here. I always watch it while wrapping presents. I will definitely watch Wednesday!!

[@BeerandWatches]

@@silverhippie3910 Such a great movie :) I love Christmas, can't come soon enough this year :) Best, MJ

[@simoneravenda5252]

Nice tricks man! Thats normal for a master magician like u! 💪

[@BeerandWatches]

Hahahaha, thanks Simone :) Very kind of you. Best. MJ

[@johnhenderson7904]

Thank you mate from Perth Australia 👍

[@BeerandWatches]

My pleasure man👍 Thanks for the support🙏 MJ

[@BourbonDrinker]

Because I was inspired by you, I just ordered an Invicta pro diver 8926ob automatic watch. I considered the Stuhrling Depth Master. Ever heard of them? They are made in Hong Kong with Swiss, Japanese, or Chinese movements.

[@BeerandWatches]

I know the Stuhring's but have never had one in my hands. To be honest I have heard mixed reviews. I really should bring one in and review it. Let me know how you like the pro diver when it arrives. I look forward to that :) Best. MJ

[@BourbonDrinker]

@@BeerandWatches I will.

[@johnv6542]

Cool great tip Matt I'll have to try it out

[@BeerandWatches]

Let me know how it goes :) Best. MJ

[@chicagotypewriter2094]

I bought me a beautiful, practically brand new HMT watch off ebay for $22. I would’ve paid $10 but that wouldn’t let the postage work, but to get it 1 month early was worth the extra money Time to try this out!

[@chicagotypewriter2094]

Came with a new padded strap that was stiff as a board :)

[@TheBearuk1]

great tips Matt, only have one leather strap watch as im not a huge fan, i prefer a metal bracelet or a NATO but I know leather can look classy on the right watch! Thanks for another great video bud! Have a great week, all the best from up north!

[@BeerandWatches]

Thanks man, glad you enjoyed it. I know leather is not everyones choice, not really mine most of the time but love it on certain watches like the Orient in the video. Take care up there. You still getting snow? Supposed to snow here tomorrow. We shall see. Best. MJ

[@TheBearuk1]

@@BeerandWatches this morning Matt id have said o to the snow but then it started..about 8 inches on the ground right now!...:(

[@savagepete1983]

Thanks for the video, bro! Good info, my friend! Cheers! PS- Old Milwaukee and Milwaukee's Best are both decent American beers. Try some Pabst Blue Ribbon or Yuengling, if you haven't already!

[@chubbydinosaur9148]

thank you! As a woman with high cholesterol I don't have beard oil nor coconut oil on hand, as the comments suggested, so I massaged it with some baby oil, wiped excess off and sealed it with vaseline. SO much better!

[@desmobc]

Thank you for these great tips!

[@BeerandWatches]

My pleasure Desmo :) Glad I could help. Best, MJ

[@beherit98]

Bottle opener to remove watch straps ! .... I'm subscribing.

[@bevboakes8982]

Hi Matt, cool video what more could you wish for a good beer, and how to get rid of a stiffy. Catch up with you on Wednesday.

[@BeerandWatches]

Hahahaha that made me laugh :) See you Wednesday. I will be announcing the winner of the Stalingrad watch. Best. MJ

[@benzhang3913]

Thank you!

[@gtrfreak]

I like beer and watches ! Just got a new strap thanks for the tips m8

[@BeerandWatches]

My pleasure Daniel, thanks for checking out my channel :) Best, MJ

[@event4216]

Kind of expected to see a strap being soaked in beer 😆

[@lolinternetslolify]

I followed these steps and now my padded strap is as soft as my bald head. Thanks.

[@BeerandWatches]

Ha, that made me laugh as I know what you mean rocking a bald head myself ;) Glad it worked out for you my friend. Have a great weekend. Best, MJ

[@gigameter]

If you're too lazy to take the straps off your watch, you can use a blow dryer and then put the vaseline on the strap while it's still attached.

[@CptSlow89]

I have used one and still its stiff...

[@BeerandWatches]

Hmmmm

[@CptSlow89]

@@BeerandWatches But your method is working ;) Thanks.

[@waris3732]

He drinks beer and switches straps with a bottle opener, how did I not see that coming?😂

[@BeerandWatches]

Hahahaha that made me laugh :) Best, MJ

[@04EbonyLTD]

Vaseline is a petroleum product,so if you worry about that, you can use coconut oil instead (it can be liquid or solid type). BTW new sub here,and enjoying your style of watch reviews. P.S. when I was a young man we called it Old Swillwaukee. big Bud and Busch drinking area I live in.

[@04EbonyLTD]

Sorry, my comment on the the beer was supposed to be for the last vid I watched (doh)

[@BeerandWatches]

Thank you so much :) Glad you found me and great to have you on board. It's funny you say coconut oil as someone mentioned beard oil (you would think I would have thought of that lol) I have called it Old Swillwaukee many times lol, not heard many say it though. Bud and Busch, I'm guessing you are somewhere down in the states? Again, great to have you subbed to my channel. Thanks so much for the support. Best. MJ

[@BeerandWatches]

lol, I have so many even I didn't notice ;)

[@IsaiahNYCC4L]

Interesting method man, you gave that strap a beating in step one lol

[@BeerandWatches]

I did :) Not taking any prisoners when it comes to softening watch straps! Best, MJ

[@sobeit712]

I cracked open a can of beer, poured it into a tall glass, throw my brand new stiff leather strap into the beer. 5 minutes into the video, I promptly fished out the drunken leather strap. It worked.

[@BeerandWatches]

Hahahaha Paul, that made me laugh lol

[@soggz4246]

I just wear it swimming then wear it until it’s dry. Then I coat it in Aveeno oil, and just wear it.Perfect!

[@BeerandWatches]

Great tip there, thanks so much for sharing that with my subscribers, especially the tip on the oil :) Thanks. Best, MJ

[@marcus.v.m]

Great watch Matt!!! I've definitely heard of breaking in the strap but the process that show with the dryer/Vaseline is genius. Thank you for the tips ✨

[@BeerandWatches]

Thanks Marcus, love that watch :) Let me know if the tips work for you if you manage to give it a try. Best. MJ

[@gazzertrn]

"What's that on your wrist mate ?" "Vaseline !" Nuff said .

[@Cinestudi0]

You Just sold me on that bambino, it looks 👌, can I have the reference number?

[@BeerandWatches]

So sorry I did not get to you sooner on this. Here is a link to it on Amazon. Hope that helps. MJ www.amazon.com/Orient-Bambino-Japanese-Automatic-Stainless/dp/B01MTS5BFN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2QWS3VRFQX6M5&keywords=orient+bambino&qid=1640549012&sprefix=orient+bambino%2Caps%2C59&sr=8-1

[@Cinestudi0]

@@BeerandWatches 😉

[@t33919]

times a tickin, so play this on 2x

[@michaelm1850]

I figured it was going to be the bambino lol

[@BeerandWatches]

Hahahahahaha that made me laugh :) Best. MJ

[@troyfraser5395]

I’d be more worried about damaging the buckle not the inside of the dryer

[@BeerandWatches]

As long as you wrap it in that sock Troy it's fine. I have never had a problem :) Best, MJ

[@angelgarza4410]

109 episode at 1.09k subscribers 😜

[@BeerandWatches]

Thanks for the continued support :) Best. MJ

[@slick5423]

3:00

[@Kr33py]

Holy shit the first 3 minutes are "I'm gonna do this" over and over

[@BeerandWatches]

whoops lol. My videos are a work in progress ;) Thanks for the honest feedback. In my defence I think the newer videos are better ;) Best, MJ

[@That1BVP]

I think I only have 1 genuine leather watch strap, and that thing is SOFT! ⌚now ill know what to do when it gets stiff

[@BeerandWatches]

Leather is not my favourite watch strap either but I have a few somehow. These tricks really are great man. Worth remembering and passing on to other watch lovers :) MJ

[@louiscyfer6944]

genuine leather is the crappiest leather one can buy.

[@WatchWitt]

Top secret!

[@BeerandWatches]

Think I may have shown a little too much of the jar in the thumbnail lol. Best. MJ

[@WatchWitt]

@@BeerandWatches Haha! No, I just thought it was a cool tag. Your facial expression is perfect, too!

[@jamiehill3304]

Where'd you get the watch picture in the background? Also, not trying to be a dick but I thing your tagline needs a rethink. "let's get stuck in".. has no relevance or understanding, at least to me..

[@BeerandWatches]

Hey Jamie, sorry just saw this now. The watch picture is from AliExpress, it was only a couple of dollars. "Let's get stuck in" means "Let's get started" in the UK where I'm from. Don't think you are being a dick at all :) Works for me :) Best, MJ

[@PatriciaWilliams-xf9yg]

Great😅

[@vdofxmel]

Please I'm a 4th generation watch collector don't do anything this guy said. I will be afraid on getting in a car with him yea the car said you can go 160 miles per hour it's ok to go 159. Omg the band it's not just a pice of leather their is sticking and other stuff in the strap.

[@TheHUhelps]

Could you be more clear about your reply? Your last sentence is hard to understand. What does he do wrong? Many thanks.

[@vdofxmel]

​@@TheHUhelps sorry took so long to reply inside the watch band are other components like leather glue, stitching, dry wax,some even put hard cotton for unique shapes. You will damage you watch band and shorten the live of it. Just a little leather conditioner will do the job owning a watch peace come with some responsability.

[@TheHUhelps]

@@vdofxmel Thank you for your reply. 👍🏼

[@AtheistOrphan]

When my late father was in the army he was told to piss in his boots and leave them standing overnight to soften them. Wouldn’t recommend it with your latest Patek Phillipe though.

[@BeerandWatches]

Your post made me both sad and laugh :) Sorry for your loss, at the same time thanks for the tip on not peeing on my watches. I will always remember that ;) Best. MJ

[@RealMuromets]

Just made me rip my watch. Nice.

[@harrycee656]

Nothing worse than a cheap stiff strap. Might want to point out that you probably don't want to use this method on cheap leather straps that are just just glued together. I put a cheap belt into the dryer by accident.

[@peterfryearson9247]

I have never seen such absolute rubbish in my life.

[@BeerandWatches]

Haha then don't watch ;)

[@TheHUhelps]

It's one thing to tell someone that they are in error, and another thing to put them in a position of truth. Do us KZbinrs a favor and tell us why you say he is wrong.

[@peterfryearson9247]

@@TheHUhelps As certified leather technologist who studied leather manufacture for 3 years, and now a Production Manager for one if the world's largest leather companies I think I have a right to an opinion. Again I have never heard such rubbish! Putting Vaseline on leather just ruins it. Not only would you have a greasy strap (as Vaseline does not dry) but if you strap has been finished it would eventually make the finish fall off.

[@TheHUhelps]

@@peterfryearson9247 Now, that's a good reply! Thank you. What would you recommend for a good leather conditioner/softener for a watch band?

[@peterfryearson9247]

@@TheHUhelps Thank you. If the leather is finished I.e with binders pigments to give gloss and colour, you can't really put anything as the softening agent break down the acrylic/pu coating especially if what is put on contains FFA (Free Fatty Acids).. also putting in the dryer may make it harder as vegetable leather has a shrinkage of around 70 to 80C this means it hardens over this temperature. If the strap is pure dyed aniline you could apply a mineral oil such as baby oil or even VG (vegetable glycerin) There are industrial leather softeners which are a lot safer which contain purified natural and synthetic fish oils but not really available to public. I would apply one of the the above and put in a sock as you suggested but put it in a plastic water bottle with some marbles and let it run for an hour.. This gives the mechanical action required. dryer on cold/low temp.

[@mohsenrashidi2231]

Thank you but you over elaborate stuff! You could’ve teach your method within 3 minutes instead of 12! Please respect your viewers time.

[@xXFraudXx]

You lost all credibility as a craft beer enthusiast when you cracked open an Old Milwaukee, which is literally brewed from dirty water and piss from actual craft beer drinkers.

[@BeerandWatches]

hahaha I love this post! Made me LOL!!! I totally agree by the way! I do like my craft beers but sometimes it's just what I have in the beer fridge that day. I totally stand judged by the craft beer world and rightly so ;) Best, MJ

[@jamesspink9279]

What was happening with the Americanisms? I thought you were British.

[@BeerandWatches]

Haha, totally, lived in Canada 21 years though, guess I'm more North American than I thought ;) Best, MJ

[@1Shortride]

Too much talking..

[@maximus3233]

Lot's of unnecessary talks get to the point

[@BeerandWatches]

I know I need to cut down on the chat a bit. I really do appreciate the constructive feedback, thank you. MJ

[@sumisumi-by8xv]

Ok, I Don't have a dryer