Leater Strap stinks...

[Birdie]

Hello,

I have a problem I hope one of you has a soloution for.

I have a Chrono-Matic (2004) with a brown leather strap.

The strap (original Breitling) is about 1 year old now and is still in very good shap, but...

...since the last weeks have been very warm here, the leather begun to smell like someone didn't wash his feet for some weeks...really not very nice. :-(

I have had wathes with leather straps all my life, but never had such an effect.

Anyone has a soloution that can help me to keep the strap and get rid of this smell?

Regards

Stefan

[PAUL 12]

Hi Stefan

It's important to remember that the life span of a strap varies much according to the wearing conditions. Water, cosmetics and perspiration all play a part in aging the strap.

The only thing I can think to do is not wear the strap for a few days to let it properly dry out. Then perhaps a little helping of leather restorer applied. Breitling do do a leather strap maintenance kit but IMO household leather restorer will be just as good

Sounds like a good oportunity to upgrade to a bracelet, which are much better suited to hot conditions, humid climates and water.:-!

[Birdie]

I will try this. any idea, where to get that breitling set (or more info on it)?
Updateing to a bracelet is no option for me. Neither do I like the look, nor the feeling on my skin.

Thanks
Stefan

[PAUL 12]

I will try this. any idea, where to get that breitling set (or more info on it)?

Try your authorised distibutor.


Updateing to a bracelet is no option for me. Neither do I like the look, nor the feeling on my skin.


Yes but at least it won't "stink";-)

[EJC]

I will try this. any idea, where to get that breitling set (or more info on it)?
Updateing to a bracelet is no option for me. Neither do I like the look, nor the feeling on my skin.

Thanks
Stefan

That's why I don't wear straps in the summer. I switch to Bracelets.

[BruceS]

Another option is one of the leather straps with rubber backing. Check out Jürgen's offerings. If his styles don't appeal to you, there are others around. There are also manufacturers who will make you whatever you want....for a price.
Cheers,
Bruce

[G M Fude]

Anyone has a soloution that can help me to keep the strap and get rid of this smell?
It's not actually the leather that smells. You've got some bacteria or fungus living in the leather grain and eating your sweat and dead epithelial cells. They excrete butyric acid, or something like that, which pongs pretty bad as you've discovered.

These bugs generally wash off very easily with mild soap and warm water. A light 'scrub' with an old toothbrush (do not then use it on your teeth!) will help to persuade them to let go and seek residence down the plughole when rinsing the soap off.

I have five leather straps and none has suffered from this treatment. And I confess I did have one a bit 'on the nose' after returning from a week in Malaysia. A wash fixed it and the problem did not return.

[davey vermaak]

See my post called Worried Breitling Watch...

The Chrono-matic looks great on a diver pro!!!!!!!#

Davey B-)

[SnapIT]

It's not actually the leather that smells. You've got some bacteria or fungus living in the leather grain and eating your sweat and dead epithelial cells. They excrete butyric acid, or something like that, which pongs pretty bad as you've discovered.

These bugs generally wash off very easily with mild soap and warm water. A light 'scrub' with an old toothbrush (do not then use it on your teeth!) will help to persuade them to let go and seek residence down the plughole when rinsing the soap off.

I have five leather straps and none has suffered from this treatment. And I confess I did have one a bit 'on the nose' after returning from a week in Malaysia. A wash fixed it and the problem did not return.

I'd go with what you said Steve :-) . Then after drying over night I'd apply a little good leather treatment to restore oils to the surface of the strap. A very little goes a long way on a strap.

[SnapIT]

Very good point Davey! Nothing like a bit of good quality silicon/rubber to resist the humidity and sweat and offers easy cleaning as a bonus feature.

[Alan M]

I always hated the thought/feel of a bracelet, then I tried a Breitling one ;_)

[SnapIT]

Ok now you're getting technical on me :-).

http://www.cjvlang.com/Dow/dowchin.html

[Alan M]

Ok now you're getting technical on me :-).

http://www.cjvlang.com/Dow/dowchin.html

never let it be said

[SnapIT]

never let it be said


Wow, thats where that post got to LOL LOL! This last one with the chinese day's link was ment for the language on dial thread but I couldn't figure where it got to when I posted it the first time so posted it again not having found this miss placed offering!!! So Alan, begging your pardon if I confused the line of the replies to this thread! Arrrgghh :-S :-D

[googoo]

Hello,

I have a problem I hope one of you has a soloution for.

I have a Chrono-Matic (2004) with a brown leather strap.

The strap (original Breitling) is about 1 year old now and is still in very good shap, but...

...since the last weeks have been very warm here, the leather begun to smell like someone didn't wash his feet for some weeks...really not very nice. :-(

I have had wathes with leather straps all my life, but never had such an effect.

Anyone has a soloution that can help me to keep the strap and get rid of this smell?

Regards

Stefan

it is an obvious solution, that you should just give the watch to me if it smells too bad. second option, change your diet. third option, get some leather cleaner and conditioner. fourth option, get a twistaflex wrist band. fifth option, send the watch to me...did i already say that?

[Birdie]

:-D think I won't sent it to you...

But I finaly get the strap ruined completely, so I now ordered the strap from ebay this morning. should arrive in 3 days.

I will post a report on the strap to this thread.

Regards
Stefan

[G M Fude]

Sorry to hear that your cleaning efforts weren't successful, Stefan; maybe the poor thing was too far gone.

Never mind -- it's a good excuse to experiment with a new look! Changing straps can transform the appearance of a watch, saving you thousands on going out to buy a new watch!

[rpm]

I would suggest ordinary "saddle soap" to clean the band. Should clean up your problems.

[Lou]

Hi,

Simply put it in the freezer (take it off the watch first though) this will Kill all the bateria on the strap that makes the smell.

Once this has done say after two days give it a good clean with a decent leather cleaner.

Also you may want to buy a cheaper grey market strap for summer months keeping your best for cooler days.

[BruceS]

What a great idea Lou! I would've never thought of that.
Cheers,
Bruce

[googoo]

everyone knows you don't freeze leather to kill bacteria...you have to bake it in a 350 degree farenheit oven for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 300 degrees. don't forget to sprinkle with cayenee. no need to salt it since it already has plenty of salt from your sweat.

[BruceS]

everyone knows you don't freeze leather to kill bacteria...you have to bake it in a 350 degree farenheit oven for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 300 degrees. don't forget to sprinkle with cayenee. no need to salt it since it already has plenty of salt from your sweat.
Salsa is nice on them too :-D

[Birdie]

Hello,

as promised here a first report about the new strap:

I decided to buy the one I mentioned in the first post and received it after only 4 days.
Cost: a bit less than 30EUR, including postage.

First impression:

Looks allmost exactly like the Breitling Original Strap, only the color is bit different, but I knew that from the picture. the original color is ab it darker.
(But it will get darker within the next week by itself ;-) )

To keep it from getting stinky too soon, I have used a leather spray, coating it with a invisible thin film of teflon or something like this.

Regards

Stefan

[picard]

Hi,

Simply put it in the freezer (take it off the watch first though) this will Kill all the bateria on the strap that makes the smell.

Once this has done say after two days give it a good clean with a decent leather cleaner.

Also you may want to buy a cheaper grey market strap for summer months keeping your best for cooler days.


would the watch components become damaged when it is put in freezer?

[Cinq]

would the watch components become damaged when it is put in freezer?
I have seen cheap Quartz watches (digital display) behave very strange after a while at -20 Celcius but I don't have the guts to put my B-1 or Navitimer in the freezer :-D

Kind regards,

Cinq

[martynjc2]

would the watch components become damaged when it is put in freezer?

Take the strap OFF the watch first, before placing strap in the freezer...

[googoo]

more importantly, take the wrist off the watch before putting it in the freezer

[O2AFAC67]

more importantly, take the wrist off the watch before putting it in the freezerLOL!! :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D
Cheers,
Ron