African Ostrich

African ostrich leather — Struthio camelus — is recognisable by the characteristic round nodules that emerge from the surface: these are the quill follicles, and they are what distinguishes genuine leather from an imitation. The most prized area is the centre of the back, where the nodules are more uniform and densely packed. At the sides, the leather becomes smoother — less characteristic, but still of quality. I've always found ostrich underrated compared to alligator. That's a mistake. Ostrich leather is remarkably hard-wearing — more so than the ostrich itself, if I may make the joke. It has a natural flexibility that allows the strap to adapt to the wrist without a break-in period. It doesn't stiffen in the cold, it doesn't crack with prolonged use. The tanning is decisive. Vegetable-tanned ostrich develops a warm patina, with the nodules becoming more defined over time. Chrome-tanned ostrich is more uniform and less interesting — I can tell by touch. As for pairing: black or anthracite ostrich on a Rolex Explorer or an IWC Pilot at 20-22mm works very well — the texture is discreet enough not to overshadow the watch but distinctive enough to set it apart from ordinary calfskin. Tobacco brown on a vintage dress watch is among my favourite pairings.