Horween Cordovan Brown Watch Strap
20mm x 16mm / Acciaio
€145,00
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Horween Cordovan Brown Watch Strap
€145,00
SKU: 202-SHLT-BRO-20-ST
12h side
75 mm
6h side
115 mm
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Free shipping Italy
24/48h delivery
30-day return
Free from Italy only
Atelier since 1984
Milan
Handmade in Italy
Selected leathers
Cordovan begins with a selection, before it begins with a tannage. The shell is a fibrous layer found only in a restricted area of the horse’s hindquarters — roughly 30×15 cm per animal. Few hides yield it, and that little requires six months of vegetable tanning before it becomes workable. This explains the price, and it explains why it behaves unlike any other leather.
It is not leather in the ordinary sense. It is a compact fibre, almost mineral in its response to time. It does not scratch: it bends. When a mark forms, the pressure of a thumb is enough and it disappears — the fibres realign on their own. It is the most wear-resistant material I have ever worked with: I have cordovan straps in circulation for ten years that look two.
This strap is made from Horween Shell Cordovan, the Chicago tannery that has worked this leather with methods unchanged for over a century. The colour is black — but a black that does not stay flat. With use it gains depth and brings out that dense lustre which is the signature of cordovan; held against the light, the warmth of the layers beneath surfaces, and the black ceases to be merely black. Not a colour laid on the surface: it is the leather maturing. The ecru stitching provides the contrast — a pale thread on a dark ground that draws the line of the seam and makes it part of the strap’s character.
Cordovan does not age. It matures. Every mark of use becomes part of the strap’s character, not a flaw to be hidden.
Made entirely in Italy. Each piece may present chromatic variations compared to the images: this is the nature of shell leather, not an imperfection.
Technical specifications:
- Material: Horween Shell Cordovan
- Colour: black, ecru stitching
- Lug width: 20 mm (case) × 16 mm (buckle)
- Length: 115 mm (case side) × 75 mm (buckle side)
- Thickness: 2,9 mm
- Made in Italy
Estimated shipping in 2-3 business days
Estimated shipping times: 2-3 business days (Italy), 7-9 days (European market), 15-21 days (international market).
SHIPPING & RETURNS
We are committed to preparing and shipping every order as quickly as possible, working carefully to ensure your items are on their way to you as soon as possible. Need to make a return? Contact us.
The more you wear it, the more it shines.
Shell cordovan doesn’t soften: it compacts. With wear it develops a deep lustre no polish can imitate, and the warmth of your hand tends to close its marks. Leather for a lifetime.
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 →By appointment only · Milan
The joy of little things
Changing your strap should be as simple as changing your shoes. With us, it is.
Every strap has integrated quick-release spring bars: swap it in one gesture, no tools, no risk of scratching the lugs. The same watch shifts mood with the moment.
Picked for you
Frequently Asked Questions
What distinguishes Horween Shell Cordovan from other cordovan on the market?
Horween is the world’s reference tannery for this leather: it works cordovan through a slow vegetable process, without chemical shortcuts, which can take up to six months per single batch. The result is a fiber density and natural luster that versions from different sources rarely match. This is not marketing — it is a measurable difference to the touch.
Is the black/red contrast achieved with a dye or is it in the leather’s structure?
The red that emerges on the flanks and inside the strap is not a surface-applied varnish: it is the result of deep coloration of the shell leather, which responds differently on the inner layers compared to the outer. This characteristic is inherent to double-colored worked cordovan and tends to become more pronounced with use.
Is the 2.9mm thickness compatible with watches with narrow lugs like a dress watch?
cordovan is naturally thinner and more compact compared to many double-layer leathers. At 2.9mm, this strap adapts well even to watches with a flat case or close lug width, without creating bulges. For sports watches with screw-down casebacks or thick lugs, it is still advisable to verify the available space before purchase.
How do you care for a Shell Cordovan strap over time?
cordovan requires less maintenance than one might think. Shell leather is naturally resistant to moisture and does not need frequent treatments. In case of creasing or pressure, simply rub gently with a soft cloth: the compact fiber tends to restore itself. A thin layer of colorless cordovan cream — applied rarely — is sufficient to preserve its luster over the long term.