Rolex leather straps ???

[Michael1968]

Hi,
I would like to ask if anyone knows why Rolex stopped making Daytonas and Sky Dwellers watches on leather straps? I’m a big fan of Daytona on leather strap and I’m just interested in why they stopped doing this and if Rolex will come back to this?

[amphr1]

Probably because they don't last very long? Just guessing. Also few consumer would want it. A sport watch on leather doesn't fit the bill imho.

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[Ferrari308]

FWIW I have a 1961 Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34mm 1014 that still has it's original leather strap. It's all in pretty good condition - but it's not a daily beater to me.



PDG

[learningtofly]

Originally Posted by amphora001

Probably because they don't last very long? Just guessing. Also few consumer would want it. A sport watch on leather doesn't fit the bill imho.

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Couldn’t disagree more.

[Calatrava r]

I do not think they were popular. The rubber seems to be much more popular and is waterproof.

[PenDelicate]

Yup, amphora said, a lot of people don't like the look of a sports watch on leather. The contrast of sports aesthetic can clash with the dressier strap's appearance, whereas rubber straps offer more visual harmony. And some find leather a little cheap-looking when a full-gold bracelet is an option.

I've also heard that leather-strapped variants simply weren't big sellers. Which wasn't helped by that short era of design-zaniness that took hold of Rolex at the start of the 2000s, with the advent of the 4130 movement: as typified by the odd and extremely poor-selling Beach Daytona that graced the market back then.

Even without going to all that colour-extreme, look at this ugly duckling from 2002:
DSC_0026 by Tom Kennedy, on Flickr

I mean: who'd want that?

[Michael1968]

Originally Posted by learningtofly

Couldn’t disagree more.

This photo confirms me that Daytona looks awesome on Rolex made leather strap

[Michael1968]

Originally Posted by amphora001

Probably because they don't last very long? Just guessing. Also few consumer would want it. A sport watch on leather doesn't fit the bill imho.

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So Daytona is a sport watch but what about Sky Dweller? Why Rolex don’t have this model on leather strap in current lineup? Sky Dweller isn’t a sport watch or I’m wrong?

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by Michael1968

Hi,
I would like to ask if anyone knows why Rolex stopped making Daytonas and Sky Dwellers watches on leather straps? I’m a big fan of Daytona on leather strap and I’m just interested in why they stopped doing this and if Rolex will come back to this?

Because that's what Rolex does: they discontinue and re-release at a later time with fanfare.

[Hardtimes]

I think a daytona on a leather strap is nothing but CLASSY and ELEGANT and Sporty. The rubber on a PM to me makes ZERO sense.

[Calatrava r]

Remember the DDs from a few years back with the matching leather color strap to the color of the dial.

[njlam]

I have a WG DJ that came with a leather strap and WG deployant buckle that looks as good as any bracelet model.

I think Rolex offers the leather strap options every once in a while to make it rare... wish it was a standard offering.

Maybe the OysterFlex will become more prevalent on the sports/professional models.

[Michael1968]

Originally Posted by Hardtimes

I think a daytona on a leather strap is nothing but CLASSY and ELEGANT and Sporty. The rubber on a PM to me makes ZERO sense.

Agree with you

[Driver8]

Originally Posted by learningtofly

Couldn’t disagree more.

THAT is a fantastic picture.

[Big Tex Rolex]

It seems like two contradictions to me …

A sports watch on an Alligator Strap …

A $32,000+ Precious Metal watch on a Rubber Strap …

that said, I own one of the Daytonas that originally came on an Alligator Strap, and have since put an OysterFlex Bracelet on it.

That said (2), I love leather straps (Alligator) on Dress Watches.

I love rubber straps, and a sports watch on a rubber strap seems like a good fit / good look to me.





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[amphr1]

100% better on rubber for your watch. Good choice!

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[MRBolton]

You can always get a custom made strap from Aaron Bespoke for an Oysterflex watch, and it will be considerably nicer quality than the OEM Rolex Strap.

[Joearch]

I have owned a number of watches on leather straps that I enjoy a great deal. High quality straps last many years, are extremely comfortable and look sharp. Especially true on Daytona’s IMHO. Went out of my way to source two this year.

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by Hardtimes

I think a daytona on a leather strap is nothing but CLASSY and ELEGANT and Sporty. The rubber on a PM to me makes ZERO sense.

Agreed

[Michael1968]

Originally Posted by Joearch

I have owned a number of watches on leather straps that I enjoy a great deal. High quality straps last many years, are extremely comfortable and look sharp. Especially true on Daytona’s IMHO. Went out of my way to source two this year.

The withe gold Daytona on leather strap and meteorite dial looks amazing

[baythan]

Originally Posted by Hardtimes

I think a daytona on a leather strap is nothing but CLASSY and ELEGANT and Sporty. The rubber on a PM to me makes ZERO sense.

Could not agree more.

[inadeje]

Wasn’t it something to with alligators becoming a protected species or some animal protection bs? I could have sworn I read something about that which also affected the Cellini line.

[PenDelicate]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Wasn’t it something to with alligators becoming a protected species or some animal protection bs? I could have sworn I read something about that which also affected the Cellini line.

I don't think so: I just bought an alligator strap from the AD a few weeks ago.

[Gerry62]

ten years ago

[Michael1968]

Originally Posted by Gerry62

ten years ago

Awesome Daytona and the alligator strap fits this watch ideally

[JoseR]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Wasn’t it something to with alligators becoming a protected species or some animal protection bs? I could have sworn I read something about that which also affected the Cellini line.

I think that's only applies in the Asia market when shipping to the USA.

[WatchGuy1966]

I noticed this a few years ago, and I had thought they were (quietly, unannounced) going away from Leather the same way Apple did for sustainability, Vegan-ism, etc...

But then they intro'd the 1908 on leather, so there went my theory.

I'd like to see them return as there were some mighty fine Daytona watches on exotic leather.

[dnd2984]

@michael1968

I added leather strap to my WG Daytona. Came with OF. Pics in the old post below.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=890287
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=866465

[jacowestt]

it's common for watch brands to make changes to their lineup based on market trends and customer preferences. Rolex might have shifted their focus to other materials or styles that are currently in demand. As for whether they'll come back to leather straps in the future, it's hard to say for sure. Brands like Rolex often adapt and evolve their offerings over time. Keep an eye on their releases, you never know what they might have in store!

[Michael1968]

Originally Posted by dnd2984

@michael1968

I added leather strap to my WG Daytona. Came with OF. Pics in the old post below.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=890287
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=866465

Nice Thanks for sharing