Hi Laurence,
I hope you're well. Thank you for your recent order and for your emails, also for your review and feedback.
Please accept our sincere apologies for the slightly slow reply. Unfortunately your emails landed in our 'spam' folder and whilst I do try to cast an eye through the spam folder occasionally to see if any emails have ended up there mistakenly. As soon as we found your emails, we responded.
Please be assured that the leather taking on marks is all completely normal and will not affect the performance or durability of the strap. We are yet to hear of one of our Nato straps failing. We have been using the same design and leather since we first launched the strap many years ago.
The fittings are stainless steel, the thread is a tough rot resistant braided polyester thread and the leather is a full grain vegetable tanned leather sourced from a world renowned small Tuscan tannery. Each strap is individually made, entirely by hand here at our small Devon workshop by one of our experienced and skilled makers, either Matt or Matthew.
We always source the finest raw materials possible. One of the characteristics of a full grain vegetable tanned leather is that all the natural marks that were on the skin of the animal will be visible on the surface of the leather, the hides are much more characterful than mass produced leather.
The leather will take on marks in line with how it is used (especially from any exposure to moisture or wet conditions). Where a strap passes through a buckle, either on a belt, a watch strap or bag, the leather will mark.
The first marks are always the most painful, however with time and use, the leather will develop its patina, unique to you the user. The leather will deepen and darken in colour, the original marks will go deeper into the leather with every application of conditioner, being disguised by newer marks, ultimately the leather will transform completely.
Watch straps by their very nature do receive heavy use, and so this transformation will be much faster than something like a journal that might live on a desk.
It is advisable to occasionally condition the leather with a quality natural leather care product such as the Gilboy's leather conditioner balsam, especially if the leather gets wet. This will help to keep the leather hydrated and in good condition.
I really hope this helps, and we very much hope you're enjoying wearing your strap and seeing the patina develop.
Once again, please accept my sincere apologies for the slightly delayed reply caused by your emails being diverted into our 'spam' folder.
If you have any other questions or require any other information at all, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Many thanks,
Rick
