Is It Ok To Wear Leather Straps? - Calf, Alligator, the Environment & Some Insights

There are discussions about whether it is justifiable to wear leather watch straps. The focus is on ecology and animal well-being. In this video I want to share some insights and experiences from leather industry and answer questions like: Are animals killed just for their skin?
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[@callefty3670]

Whether it's ethically sourced leather goods or other alternative products, or even recycling, the whole idea that we the consumers, should take "feel good" remedial actions at the micro level is ludicrous, a bogus smoke screen designed to keep us from demanding the producers of real negative environmental impacts - big oil, agribusiness, mining and other corporate villains, stop their massive harm. We are happy to go along with this charade.

[@martintanz9098]

I am right with you on buying higher quality and using it a long time. I live just a few miles from the Allen Edmonds factory so I have access to factory seconds, and other deeply discounted AE shoes. And if you maintain the uppers, you can replace the soles several times which increases the life of the shoes into decades. You can also extend the life of your leather watch straps by wearing them sparingly, or not at all in the heat. Sparingly, as in if you are working in an air conditioned office or residence, and only in the heat for short spans, it is ok to wear leather straps in summer. but if it is really hot, and you are out in the heat all day or doing some sporting activity, go with rubber, nylon, or a bracelet. Since I started doing this 10 or 12 years ago, I haven't worn out a leather strap. Where as years ago, I tossed my leather straps every couple of years because of how nasty they got with sweat and grime. One other thing to consider. Instead of buying new, why not buy used? you can save money and reduce your carbon footprint. I realize there is a limit. I won't buy used boxer briefs or undershirts, but I have bought used shirts and jackets. Sometimes with the tags still on them.

[@ArtBorow]

Great topic. As a long time vegetarian i don't wear animal products. But many brands now offer vegan options, so it's not a problem anymore.

[@wolfcommander6009]

😂

[@GrayWithMe]

Even Cartier was offering vegan straps for the tank - I think it’s great

[@MeestroDavid]

Loved this thoughtful consideration. Thank you,.

[@CasebackWatches]

Thanks for watching!

[@vittaya]

Tim you are awesome. I imagine your day job is some kind of Bond Supervillain. Watch KZbin is just your side hobby.

[@CasebackWatches]

Haha, thanks, great imagination. I would be the first supervillain that empties the dishwasher himself! :-D

[@icychap]

Great to see you back in action, Tim. Definitely missed your content. I agree with your take on the leather goods, both in terms of paying attention to responsible production and the value of more durable, quality goods. Thanks for your excellent work, as always.

[@lonzo61]

As an ardent environmentalist, I am concerned about just about everything we humans do in the context of our impact on the natural world. I'm happy to see this issue discussed, even if it seems insignificant. After all, it's only a watch strap!

[@emm_arr]

It was a few years ago that it was reported that the leather demand had outrstripped raw materials from food production.

[@bani_niba]

The contrast of leather vs. fast fashion isn't a compelling argument. Of course, we should not over consume, but that doesn't mean you have to buy leather for long-lasting clothing. I have nylon & polyester garments that have lasted for decades. I don't wear them anymore due to fashion changes, not because of quality/durability issues. I would have the same fashion issues if they were made from more expensive/natural materials.

[@deedee8568]

Hadn't thought about it, til now.

[@johnstyron6543]

Nice to see you again Tim. And very pertinent topic!

[@alexc.3727]

Great video Tim, and thanks for bringing up this important topic. As a vegan and eco-activist, I have my opinion on that. But I wanted to say that I slightly disagree with your point about longevity and buying things. Yes, leather items typically last longer than those made of fabric or synthetic materials. However, this also very much depends on a person's consumption habits. One might be good wearing one pair of leather shoes for 10 years, while another person will still buy a new pair every year, even though the old ones are in great condition. Similarly, some people buy sneakers every year, but others can wear a pair for several years. I've had my Puma sneakers made of synthetic leather for over five years now, and they're still great and I've been wearing them all the time. My Adidas parka has been with me for like 12 years. So, you see, different consumption habits, and I'm not the kind of guy who's into fast fashion because it contradicts my values. Cheers, Alex

[@Ecoat65]

Good to see you back!

[@theaussiewhinger]

Leather can be very sustainable being a byproduct of the meat industry. Everything of the animal is used. There is also the slower but less chemically harsh 'vegetable tanning' process as well. While not always the case, very frequently so-called 'vegan leathers', which are not leathers at all, are often made of forms of plastic or materials that rely on petroleum-based products to varying extents. In other words, it's not clear cut that one is more or less sustainable than the other. Great video Tim. Really go into all the nuance as always.

[@kevingilhooley2064]

A short but simple answer.......Yes.

[@williammiller8317]

Thanks Tim, great video as always! 🏆

[@CasebackWatches]

Thanks a lot for watching!

[@chrishennemeyer7276]

Good piece, Tim. I wish more watch bloggers gave time to this important issue. A few thoughts: sure, the environmental footprint of your 1950s Hamilton is zero today, but when it was manufactured, that would have been a different story. It looks to be gold-plated, which could have meant that filthy mining practices involving cyanide and mercury would have been involved (as they are in some places today). On a separate note, I see that there are straps all over the web made from shark, snake, lizard, stingray, some of which are endangered. Also, you can still buy horse meat in French butcher shops. Finally, having worked in Bangladesh, I can vouch that there is no more heavily polluted country. P.S. - Speidel is pronounced as you would in German.

[@rodg2335]

Enjoyed this vid. I make many of my own leather straps. I only use veg tan. Some I do stamp tooling such as basket weave. My stitch work is not good but with new glasses coming perhaps it will improve. This was a good topic. I found your cockroach picture most funny.

[@emm_arr]

I think you are right about trainers/sneakers. Thankfully Palladium is back in business, and I'm pretty sure that the canvas and rubber combination has a lower carbon footprint.

[@paulgraham1465]

Yay, welcome back!

[@mannyfernandez1713]

For the new project you could try to do a series of watch brands as people , of course we know Rolex would be a caricature of wilsdorf but still. Amazing video as always cheers

[@cedarcanoe]

Welcome back Tim. I have another example of climate activists protesting against me driving a Defender. A Defender will last at least 40-50 years (68% of all manufactured Land Rovers are still registered and insured!). Those climate people find that leased electric cars (every three years a new one) are better for the climate than my Defender. I don’t think so.

[@GrayWithMe]

Almost all of the “climate people” I know do not switch out their electric or hybrid cars with great frequency and many of them ride their bikes to work as much as possible. Those land rovers though are beasts! It’s awesome they last so long. What would be cool would be able to take great cars like that and one day just convert it to electric or hydrogen when the engine finally died.

[@smokincooks7661]

I feel similarly about my old Toyota from 1996. I just wish that biofuels for spark-ignition engines were more widely available.

[@martimcfly6207]

Nobody eats Horses anymore - in Germany. In France or Switzerland it‘s not uncommon to est horse meat. Nonetheless Tim is generally right. By the way, I‘m carrying the Caseback Portemonnaie “Old Club“ (i believe) for about a year now. Still happy with it. Good video with some insights. Transparency is always good. Grüsse aus Zürich

[@cylentone]

If you really want to be stringent about it, you should never replace a watch strap or bracelet unless it is broken. No matter how the original was produced it alone has the smaller environmental footprint than purchasing an additional one of any type. BTW: I wonder if those that started this conversation have ever owned a Casio or Swatch and would love to hear their thoughts on those 😉On the boot topic - Zac (the knife guy) did a video about work boots and came to the same conclusion - expensive boots are an investment and are worth being repaired or soled. Have a look. Cheers!

[@johnmiranda9310]

Thank you, Tim, for this well educational video. As always you are a person of high morals and character. ....🙂

[@Kciroy]

This was an amazingly interesting video

[@Jason-hv4eu]

I am glad that you make quality leather goods! Keep up the quality products and videos!

[@res00xua]

Hope you enjoyed your time off. We missed your content. In case of your products we are supporting a small business artisan product.

[@AndrewIsbell]

lol the roach with a chef's hat!

[@terricollins3800]

Just as a btw...."Navajo" is pronounced "NA-va-ho". Very good video. I have eaten alligator, and it is one of those times when it most certainly does "taste like chicken". I am unaware of any unscrupulous alligator farming, but I imagine that could be true for any animal that is farmed for meat and/or their hides. Interesting.

[@favoritethings3065]

Great topic....Thank you Tim. Very thought provoking especially for me as a vegan by diet, but definitely choosing increasingly to avoid leather whenever possible.

[@billbouldin2969]

Timmy Tim back in town! Hey Dude for Los Angeles.

[@PabloM02]

Interesting video, thanks! I have wondered about this. I have always preferred the look of leather over over metal bracelets on me and bought a "vegan suede" strap made with plant fibers. Although I like it a lot, I do wonder how long it will last.

[@GrayWithMe]

Is there a vegan strap brand you used for the plant fibers ?

[@PabloM02]

@@GrayWithMe It´s an Italian brand called Colareb. Not sure how I found them but they do vegan and regular leather straps.

[@brunonjezic6208]

I really hope you get that aero leather half belt. I'm looking my way of at they're d pocket Elvis and Ripley models

[@lukejohn6139]

Great video Tim. OMG I didn't know that horrible stuff about alligator leather.

[@marcgoulding5230]

I do appreciate your drawings...

[@stefanadam4962]

great video

[@GrayWithMe]

I am plant based, vegetarian since 1999. I either buy used leather or use vegan leather if I have to buy new. My main problem is hiking shoes. I used to have a hard time finding good hiking shoes. This is a great topic!

[@alexc.3727]

Been vegan for about six years, and yeah, same problem with hiking and trekking boots. But I managed to find some good boots and even tested them for a week in the mountains already :) as a climber, finding good climbing shoes without suede is also a problem

[@GrayWithMe]

@@alexc.3727 which boots did you end up finding and testing - the xero boots and vegan lems i have now are horrible. No traction. I have fallen a lot

[@alexc.3727]

@@GrayWithMe I got a pair of Salomon Lyngen Mid GTX. Good traction (even though it can be really muddy in the mountains), good ankle support, great membrane - can't complain overall

[@sabeaniebaby]

Great video. I'm currently saving up for a quality pair of leather shoes/boots. It seems like a worthy investment. Also, I LOVE the navajo bracelets!!!❤❤❤❤❤

[@RoaroftheTiger]

On Duribility; a French Lamb vs. Nappa Cowhide or the preferable Goat Skin is SOFT, SPONGEY & Tears easy. Just a Caution; as French Lamb is sold as a Premium Product. .

[@jakubklein]

Tim: Nobody would kill such majestic animal as s horse for meat Sweden: would you like some meatballs?

[@CasebackWatches]

Nah, I think the traditional Kötbullar (??) is moose, isn't it?

[@jakubklein]

I was thinking more IKEA meatballs avenue, but you are right :)

[@JohnstonPettigrew]

Yes, people do eat horses.....look to Slovenia and Sicily....two I have personally observed .....

[@ivankerr3570]

Of course it’s ok

[@theuglybiker]

Great vid as usual! Let us all take a moment to consider how fortunate we are to have such 'first world' conversations! Just a couple of notes for future reference: 1. The indian tribe Navajo is pronounced 'navah-ho'. 2. The watchband Speidel is pronounced 'spy-dell'.

[@CasebackWatches]

That was helpful, thank you.

[@Manospondylus]

Oh Lord. 🙄

[@opotopo1]

No

[@philspencelayh5464]

I find leather very uncomfortable, so rights and wrongs don't come into it for me leather straps get replaced by something else.

[@mommi1979]

My stance is: everything man-made has a strong impact on the environment. Even the metal cases and bracelets, the sapphire glasses and the esalite ones. Every thing has a strong carbon footprint. We cannot go back to living in the caves, what we can do is ask our governments to ban imports from countries with no regulations, or lackluster ones compared to the EU or USA. It's easy to blame a leather consumer, while is not easy to understand that not every leather facility in each part of the globe follows the same rules. If the leather comes from a controlled and modern breeding farm, and not from hunted wildlife, I'm perfectly fine, as well as I'm fine if the case and the braclet, and any other consumer good for that matter, come from a regulated steel mill. This, if put into effect, would certailnly harm the poor labourers with little choice other than work in those tanneries, but it's essential to understand your point: good quality raw materials means long lasting goods, less waste, less carbon footprint, and maybe force the greedy owners of those deregulated facilities (be them westerners or locals) to spend some money in modernizing their production methods.

[@SH__-]

Nothing wrong with leather, please everyone stop trying to save the world whilst ordering a the latest cheap gadget trend.

[@humanitech]

I'm fine with buying leather goods

[@redneckster6639]

Whatever the green fashos are saying, I do the opposite.

[@Ossory88]

Ich hätte dich für intelligenter gehalten, als diesem Environmental zeitgeist hinterherzurennen

[@CasebackWatches]

Das gebe ich gerne zurück. Die angesprochenen Themen auf "Zeitgeist" eindampfen zu wollen, das zeugt auch nicht von großer Weisheit.