Black-Blue Cordovan Strap in Shell Cordovan
20mm x 16mm
€145,00
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Black-Blue Cordovan Strap in Shell Cordovan
€145,00
SKU: 202-SHVI-BLBK-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 is not bought for its luster. It is bought because it lasts for decades and changes with its wearer.
Derived from the horse's rump — not from the entire hide, but from a specific subcutaneous membrane — shell cordovan is one of the few materials in watchmaking that truly improves with time. It does not crack, nor does it crease unevenly: it develops a compact, dense patina that tells the story of every day of use. The black-blue coloring of this strap comes from the color overlay during tanning: a black that, in its reflections, gives way to blue, varying from piece to piece due to the nature of the leather.
Produced in Italy, with a reduced thickness to fit narrower lugs without forcing. The polished surface is the original of the material — not an applied finish.
Technical specifications:
- Material: Shell Cordovan (horse leather, rump area)
- Color: black-blue
- Available widths: 20mm × 16mm / 21mm × 18mm / 22mm × 18mm
- Length: 115mm (case side) × 75mm (buckle side)
- Thickness: 2.5mm
- Origin: Made in Italy
- Finish: natural glossy
Note: each hide presents individual color variations. The final color may differ slightly from the images — this is the nature of the material, not a defect.
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 makes shell cordovan different from regular polished calf?
It’s not a matter of surface finish. shell cordovan is a dense, compact membrane sourced from the horse’s croup: it has no pores like calf, doesn’t crack at the lug corners, and doesn’t deform under the buckle. The shine is structural, not applied — and deepens with use rather than wearing away.
At 2.5mm thickness, is it compatible with watches featuring narrow lugs?
Yes. The 2.5mm thickness ranks among the slimmest for structured leather straps, making it compatible with most dress watches and classic sports watches with closed-channel lugs. If your watch features particularly low lugs — under 4mm opening — it’s still advisable to verify before purchase.
Is the black-blue color uniform across the entire surface or does it vary from strap to strap?
It varies, and that’s part of this material’s character. The blue tone emerges differently depending on which zone of the hide is used and the intensity of the tanning. Each strap is chromatically unique: some lean toward flat black, others display more pronounced blue reflections under raking light. It’s not a production flaw — it’s what distinguishes cordovan from any synthetic or standardized material.
How is a shell cordovan strap maintained over time?
cordovan requires minimal maintenance compared to other leathers. It should not be treated with standard bovine leather crèmes: there’s a risk of excessive softening and loss of its characteristic structure. An occasional pass with a soft dry cloth to remove dust and moisture is sufficient. For more thorough treatment, a conditioner specifically formulated for cordovan — beeswax-based, applied sparingly — is enough two or three times yearly.