Jean Rousseau is a long-established leather brand originating from Besançon, France. This workshop continues to innovate in the traditional production of high-quality leather straps, using a variety of materials such as alligator and salmon to pursue functionality that goes beyond conventional boundaries, such as water resistance. Their manufacturing, which actively collaborates with global brands and utilizes sustainable materials, gives us a glimpse into the future of straps.
The craftsmanship spirit nurtured in the historic city of Besançon
Besançon, a city in eastern France, retains a strong medieval atmosphere. A huge fortress stands on a hill overlooking the historic cityscape, and within its majestic cathedral stands a masterpiece symbolizing the city's important industry: a unique clock with 122 functions, including 70 dials, 11 movements, and a perpetual calendar that displays information on the moon, tides, and even 1 years into the future.
Located near the Swiss border, Besançon is the historic heart of French watchmaking. Today, time beats to a different rhythm, with traditional watchmaking partially replaced by cutting-edge precision engineering and biomedical companies.
What is the leather brand Jean Rousseau?
However, a few French watch brands and suppliers that support the luxury watch industry remain based in the region, including Jean Rousseau, which specializes in luxury leather goods and supplies not only to well-known watch brands but also to the general public through its own boutiques in cities such as Paris, London, New York, and Tokyo.
Since its founding in 1954, Jean Rousseau has navigated a world of straps that has undergone significant change. Whereas traditional colors and materials were once the norm, the brand is now experiencing what could be called a renaissance in terms of texture, color, materials, and processing techniques. For Jean Rousseau, innovation is a means to maintain a competitive edge, and its driving forces are curiosity, passion, and the desire to push the boundaries. Trial and error are inevitable, but persistent pursuit leads to results that offer new possibilities to customers.
Custom-made for Rolex enthusiasts
These creative efforts are also being applied to the requests of individual customers. One collector cherished a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6241 inherited from his father, but did not like the feel of the original gold bracelet and was concerned about gaps in the lugs of a pre-made leather strap.
To solve this problem, Jean Rousseau performed a 3D scan of the watch and created a special insert, mimicking the method used by Rolex for its Oysterflex straps. Then, an alligator leather strap was created on top of it. Based on a prototype that was adjusted to within 1/10 of a millimeter, the fit and design desired by the customer were verified, and the blue alligator strap was finally completed. By combining this special strap, owners can now enjoy this precious watch in their own style.
Balancing environmental friendliness and high quality
When it comes to straps, we tend to evaluate them based solely on the finished product, but in reality, it requires expert craftsmanship, from the selection of materials to the manufacturing techniques. Sustainability, in particular, has become increasingly important in recent years. Jean Rousseau sources all raw materials from traceable sources and thoroughly audits its suppliers in-house in accordance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the EU's REACH regulations.
Breathing new life into discarded fish skin
At the same time, we are also working to reuse the skins of animals that have been slaughtered for food. Salmon and sturgeon skins in particular have an exotic texture and are strong enough to be used as strap materials. These materials, which would normally be discarded, are tanned with vegetable tannins, transforming them into durable leather with a unique texture.
Sturgeon is a by-product of the caviar industry, and because it has natural protrusions (spicules), it must first be sanded to smooth them out. The dyeing process, largely done by hand, is essential to bring out the subtle colors and flavors. The resulting straps are highly regarded not only for their low environmental impact, but also for the way they age beautifully over time.
Ocean plastic transformed into denim-style straps
Recycling has become an important theme in recent years. While there are still challenges in recycling leather, especially in strap manufacturing, the Sequal Initiative is attracting attention for its recycled materials. This organization works to protect marine ecosystems worldwide by collecting plastic waste dumped in oceans and on beaches and recycling it into fiber. This is extremely significant, considering that more than 800 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year.
Jean Rousseau uses fabric made from this yarn for its straps. It's a blend of 35% recycled polyester, 35% recycled cotton, and 30% Sequal polyester, giving it a denim-like texture and a luxurious finish. This waste material, once floating in the ocean, has been transformed into a high-quality accessory that complements the watch.
New expressions born from plant-derived materials
Furthermore, the use of plant-based materials such as pineapple peels is also progressing. These are not only environmentally friendly, but also valuable in the sense that they open up new textures and color options. Pineapple is characterized by its wild texture.
Water-resistant leather straps: a new standard
The quality of a strap is also reflected in its durability. While it was previously common knowledge that leather straps should never get wet, Jean Rousseau has ventured into this field as well. In 2021, they released a water-resistant strap made of alligator leather that has been specially treated. It can be submerged in water for up to 60 minutes without any change in color, shape, or wearability. After wearing, if you rinse off dirt, salt, and chlorine with tap water, it dries faster than regular leather and is less likely to deteriorate.
The future of ever-evolving straps
Whether you're an individual watch enthusiast or a global brand, Jean Rousseau is striving to maximize choice for all customers. With experience, innovation and a willingness to take on new challenges, the future of strap manufacturing is set to be even more exciting.
