MILANO STRAPS · BREED

Breed: skin with hard, enamel-like nodules

The skin is not skin in the conventional sense. It's a surface covered with dermal denticles—compact, spherical granules as hard as tooth enamel—making it tactile, firm, unmistakable for anything else.

THE ORIGIN

Top-grain leather, vegetable-tanned: tough as nails.

Stingray leather—galuchat in French, shagreen in English—is not an exotic leather like others. It is made from the skin of the marine ray. The nodules on the surface are not artificial; they are dermal denticles, natural structures with hardness close to that of tooth enamel. The tanning is vegetable.

To the touch, it is almost sandy. The granules are spherical, compact, and close-set—something akin to miniature organic pearls, but very firm. It is not smooth. It is not suede. It has a characteristic, marine smell, which vegetable tanning attenuates but does not completely eliminate. The granules do not flatten with use; they maintain their relief over time. It is water-resistant. It retains its color without developing a visible patina. A leather that lasts decades without much upkeep.

Chanel is one of the few names that has worked stingray leather on an industrial level, in high-end accessories and leather goods. It is not a mass-market material.

Milano Straps preferably works the central part of the skin—the umbilicus—where the granules are larger, more uniform, and more precise. It is the most valuable and most difficult area to obtain. Stingray straps are available in 18, 20, and 22mm sizes.

For a strap custom-built for your watch, the Casati Milano atelier receives by appointment at Via XX Settembre 15, Milan.

Cinturini Orologi Pelle Razza

Vegetable tanning. Compact dermal denticles, enamel-like hardness. Permanent embossing.

Skip to results list
  • Green stingray leather strap, handcrafted — Milano Straps

    Green Stingray Strap

    Green Stingray Strap
    €150,00
  • Red ray leather strap with natural tubercle texture — Milano Straps

    Red Stingray Leather Strap

    Red Stingray Leather Strap
    €150,00
  • Black stingray leather strap — natural beaded texture, Milano Straps

    Black Stingray Leather Strap

    Black Stingray Leather Strap
    €150,00
  • Light brown stingray leather strap — natural plated texture, handcrafted — Milano Straps

    Light Brown Stingray Leather Strap

    Light Brown Stingray Leather Strap
    €150,00

FOR WHICH WATCH

Ray Loop Measurement

Watch strap in stingray leather available in 18, 20 and 22mm. Tell me your watch: among over 45,000 references in our archive, I will find the exact size in seconds.

Rolex Date 115234 19mm
Rolex Yacht-Master 116689 21mm
Universal Geneve Polerouter RU6910101B1X1 19mm
Universal Geneve Polerouter JU6910101C1J1 19mm
Vacheron Constantin Égérie 8005 /120R 18mm
Vacheron Constantin Égérie 8005 /000R 18mm
Breguet Classique 5177BA/15/9V6 18mm
Patek Philippe 3970 20mm
Breitling Superocean A17316D21A1S1 18mm
Longines La Grande Classique L4.705.4.58.6 (aka: L47054586) 18mm

Enter the brand or reference to confirm the size.

Check your watch

Stingray is an exotic leather with dermal denticles whose hardness approaches tooth enamel. It does not scratch, does not absorb water, and maintains its color for decades. I prefer to work with the central part - the umbilicus - where the grains are larger and more uniform.

Available in 18, 20 and 22mm. CITES certification Appendix II included. Vegetable tanning.

Frequently asked questions

Why don't the dermic denticles of stingray flatten with use?

Dermic denticles have a hardness similar to tooth enamel. They're not soft surfaces that yield to pressure — they're mineral structures. Years of wear won't scratch them. The texture remains identical to day one. Available from 18 to 22mm.

What are the dermic denticles of stingray leather?

Dermic denticles are the natural nodules that cover stingray leather. They have a hardness similar to tooth enamel and don't flatten over time. They're the source of the characteristic texture on our straps in 18, 20, and 22mm.

Is it possible to order a custom stingray strap at the atelier?

Stingray straps are made by appointment at our atelier at Via XX Settembre 15, Milan. You select the leather together, we take the measurement on your watch. To book: WhatsApp or direct appointment request.

How do you clean a stingray leather strap without damaging the granules?

Warm water and a soft dry cloth. Stingray granules have a hardness similar to tooth enamel — they won't be damaged by normal use. No liquid conditioner: it would seep between the nodules and alter the texture. Cleaning every 2-3 months is sufficient.

Does a stingray strap really hold up with daily wear?

Yes. Dermic denticles have a hardness similar to tooth enamel. The granules don't flatten, don't give, don't wear away with use. Color remains stable. On a strap worn every day, stingray lasts decades — not 2-3 years like some thin calfs.

What watches does a stingray leather strap pair best with?

20mm stingray pairs well with modern, bold watches. White stingray on a white gold Day-Date. Black stingray on a Royal Oak or Richard Mille. The texture of the granules demands a case that carries the visual weight — nothing with subdued dress watches.

Does stingray leather resist water better than traditional calf?

Yes. Stingray resists water better than traditional calf — the dermic denticles compact the surface and reduce absorption. It's not waterproof: no natural leather is. In case of water contact, dry immediately with a soft cloth. Available in 18, 20, and 22mm.

Is stingray leather legal to purchase and import in Europe?

Yes. Stingray is CITES Appendix II: legal trade with proof of origin certification. Every leather I work with is documented. Straps are available in 18, 20, and 22mm.

The next step

The right strap isn’t chosen. It is built, together.

From the atelier appointment to delivery, every step is made for those who know that things done well take time. Rare leathers, one piece at a time, eighteen months of warranty.

Request an appointment →

What we offer

  • We guide you through every step — with exclusive images directly from our atelier
  • Over 50 artisanal steps for each strap — from leather selection to final stitching
  • The time it takes to do extraordinary things — four, five weeks. Not a day less.
  • An object designed to last a lifetime — cared for by us for eighteen months
  • The right leather for your watch — chosen together, in the atelier, only for you

By appointment only · Milan