Alligator & Crocodile Watch Straps

They are not the same leather, although many confuse them. Alligator mississippiensis = regular, symmetrical scales. Crocodylus niloticus or porosus = more varied scales, with different porosity markings.

Exotic Leather Selection

Alligator or crocodile: two animals, two scale patterns

The most immediate difference is visual: the American alligator (mississippiensis) has regular, symmetrical ventral scales with nearly invisible perforations — it is the most “orderly” exotic leather. The Nile crocodile (niloticus) and the Asian porosus have more varied scales, with evident follicle perforations that are part of their aesthetic identity.

All my exotic leathers are CITES certified — I never trade hides without documentation of legal provenance. I work primarily with belly cut (the ventral section, with more regular scales) and flank cut (the lateral section, with more undulating scales and more visible personality). For a dress watch, belly cut. For a watch with an already strong character, flank.

A young exotic hide has more vivid colours, while a mature hide tends to lighten under light. The tannery matters: Italian and French tanneries produce stable tones, while Asian ones are often more saturated but shift with use. For a long-term investment, I always choose Italian tanning — Sicilian crocodile with mineral-vegetable tanning remains true to itself for fifteen to twenty years.

Cinturini Orologio Alligatore & Coccodrillo — Milano Straps
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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an alligator strap and a crocodile strap?

Alligator has a more regular grain, with orderly and symmetrical scales; crocodile shows more irregular and often more pronounced scales. Both are exotic leathers handmade in Italy. The choice between the two is more a matter of personal taste than quality: here at Milano Straps you will find both types of craftsmanship among the ready-made pieces.

How many alligator straps does Milano Straps have in this collection?

In this collection you will find 42 pieces in alligator leather, already ready. These are different workings in finish and colour, all in exotic leather worked by hand in Italy.

How do I know the right strap size for my watch?

The simplest way is to look up your model in the Milano Straps watch archive, or use the "Find your watch's size" box found on every product page. If you prefer, send a photo of your watch on WhatsApp to Milano Straps using the "Verify on WhatsApp" button, or photograph it with the app app.milanostraps.it, which recognises it on its own. Only as a last resort can you measure the distance between the two lugs with a ruler or calliper.

Can I have an alligator strap custom-made for my wrist?

Made-to-measure is not a Milano Straps service: it is carried out by Casati Milano, by appointment only in the atelier in Milan, at Via XX Settembre 15. For this type of work, you need to contact Casati Milano directly through casatimilano.com. Here on Milano Straps, you'll find ready-made pieces instead, with the price shown on each product page.

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.

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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