A waterproof leather strap review updated over time

[mfer]

Just thought I'd do this review of a waterproof strap over time and exposing it to various water conditions.

The strap in question is:
Pre-V by MP Tantalum Kodiak 100% Waterproof leather with sewn in Pre-V buckle 26/24 125/75

Watch is my 232.

I'm trying to take pictures of the "dry" watch at work under the same horrible lighting and no windows. It should give me a consistent lighting picture and I plan to use only my iPhone for pics. This way we can see if strap colors fad over time.

So, here it is day 1 installed at work. It is a thinner strap (I like thinner straps).

I wore it on the 3rd hole when I took these pictures, but decided it was too loose. I figured since I'm getting this wet, I'm gonna try and stretch it as well. That same day I switched it to he second hole and it was almost painfully tight. Let's say it was very uncomfortable.

Day 1 out of the bag. I decided to start quick and throughly rinsed it in bathroom sink and proceeded with my attempt at stretching it to fit me better on second hole.










The above pic is on the 3rd hole.
The below pic is on the 2nd hole. You can see how the left side of the watch is pressing very hard into my arm. Like I said it wasn't comfortable.




A very through rinsing in the sink below.

[mfer]

This is still day 1, but at home. I decided to give it a ten minute bath. Why ten minutes you ask? Why not? I just picked a number and 10 seemed good!





I put it on immediately in an attempt to dry it quickly with my body heat and also to stretch it to fit better. I always want to wear it after it is wet to dry it quicker without using extreme heat. Just my best guess here. I figured laying it out might cause it to shrink or wrinkle. No one told me this, just guessing.



You can see in this pic below it is heavily soaked but there are still some places where it didn't soak all the way through.





I continued to wear the watch at night to let it dry and stretch. It wasn't as unbearable uncomfortable as before, but still too tight.

[mfer]

Day two

Here are some dry shots at work under same lighting to show color, texture, etc.









Later that night, I got it really wet. Gave my kids a bath with it on and then myself a shower. I know some of you might have wanted to see the mfer in the shower, but no pics there, sorry. It was also covered in soap as a part of this test. Here it is after the shower and all wet.







The stretching is working. Watch is much more comfortable. Again, wore it all night to dry and stretch.

[mfer]

Days 3 - 6.

I didn't take pictures of it getting wet, but here is what I did. I basically didn't take it off except some nights to sleep. I think I wore it for another shower. I was wearing it outside all weekend and went to a splash park with my kids. It got splashed for sure with chlorinated water, but not heavily soaked. I was soaked with sweat however. It was easily 95F with high humidity. The next day I was outside for much of the day again in high heat and humidity. Sweat a lot again. I did rinse the watch with water to clean off the sweat. I don't want it to get stinky. So far, no smell at all.

Here are the day 6 pictures in the office.











The watch now wears very comfortable and perfect tightness. There is no movement of the watch but it doesn't leave much of an imprint on my wrist. Just at the keepers a tiny bit. You can clearly see there is a nice crease mark on the second hole. I would say this is expected with how tight the watch was before. You cannot see it at all when wearing, but I'm sure overtime this will be the wear point of the band.

As I mentioned in my original posts, I'll update this post over time with more pics. I plan on taking this into a pool in the coming weeks.

[Cru Jones]

I'll be checking back in for sure, Mik. Thanks for all the posts and your time.

[rolexnub]

Thanks for sharing your technique Mik.

[ocwatching]

great post Mik...I have been wanting to find the perfect fit with my Dirk strap
you are way more diligent than I...
nice combo

[air993]

So glad to see you doing this. I am looking for a presentable leather strap as I am constantly in the water and dirt with my job. Looking forward to your long term results Mik. Strap looks great too!

[mfer]

Thanks everyone. I'll keep you updated. Another night in the shower with the strap! You know....hardcore navy diving.....

[gerzzzzz]

*brb wiping my drool* that 232.. tempting tempting

[mfer]

Ok, so I have some more updates. Basically I've worn this watch non-stop. I don't really take it off except at some showers and some nights. The fit is perfect and leaves no marks on my wrist and doesn't slip/move around at all. I've worn it in some pretty sweaty conditions as well. I just rinse it off in the sink with water. I also wore it while moving. Rubbing against boxes, etc. Finally I submitted it to a 3 day pool barrage.

Day 18






Day 19




Day 20


Day 21 back at work with similar lighting








Bottom line, I'm being intentionally hard on this strap and I feel it is holding up amazingly well. It isn't the prettiest strap I own, but this thing is doing exactly what it claims. 100% waterproof leather strap.

[Stack]

Thanks for the detailed information and pictures. Really helps a lot!

[crazyfingers]

Thanks for sharing. Glad to see the strap held up nicely.

[ManUtd]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing.

[ocwatching]

nice updates...thanks Mik...love it

[Lordofrolex]

Very cool. What site did you get the watch from?

[mfer]

Originally Posted by Lordofrolex

Very cool. What site did you get the watch from?

PM'ed you.