Bambi has created a leather strap that even I, a long-time bracelet lover, would like to wear. It's called "Premium Crocodile." Its unique feature is that, despite being made of crocodile leather, it has a fairly decent waterproof function.
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I've been a bracelet fan for a long time. Leather straps are very attractive, but they get sticky when you sweat and get damaged quickly when it rains. I've also tried leather straps with rubber linings to make them more durable. They're certainly convenient, but it's a pain when sweat can't escape from the strap. So, most of my everyday watches now come with bracelets.
However, Bambi has created a leather strap that even I, a squeamish person, would want to use. It's called "Premium Crocodile." Its unique feature is that, despite being made from crocodile leather, it has fairly decent waterproof properties. Being a skeptic, I thought they might have just covered it up by applying a water-repellent finish to the surface. However, Bambi, in collaboration with a tanner, developed a new tanning method that made the leather waterproof, rather than water-repellent. While there are other crocodiles that claim to be waterproof, as far as I know, Premium Crocodile is the only one that has achieved waterproofing through a change in the tanning process itself. When you drop water on the raw hide, the droplets roll off just like on a freshly waxed car body.
amazing performance
Its performance is quite astonishing. In a durability test where it was immersed in water, a typical leather strap absorbed about 50% of its weight in water, while the premium crocodile only absorbed about 10%. The leather itself does not absorb water, but water gets in through the hole where the buckle fastens, so the strap absorbs about 10% of its weight. In other words, it cannot be used for swimming, but it should be fine for everyday use.
So what are the benefits of waterproof straps? One is that you can use them without worrying about rain. I used a borrowed strap for the test, and it's great that I don't have to take off my watch even when caught in a downpour. Another benefit is that durability is dramatically improved. Because the raw leather doesn't absorb sweat, the strap should theoretically last a very long time. In fact, Bambi's President Hideaki Tatebayashi showed me a premium crocodile strap he'd used for four years, and it was in perfect condition. Replacing it with a D-buckle will likely extend the strap's lifespan even further.
As advertised as "premium," the strap itself is very well made. As you'd expect from a Japanese-made watch, the edges are carefully finished, and the strap's interlining is just the right amount of soft. While straps with soft interlinings tend to fit comfortably on the wrist, they are prone to damage from sweat and water. However, premium crocodile leather, with its waterproof treatment applied to the leather, lining, and interlining, is less likely to deteriorate.
By the way, due to the special tanning process, the surface of premium crocodile leather is not glossy, but has a semi-matt appearance. While it is not suitable for a typical dress watch, it seems to be suitable for casual or business wear. Perhaps Bambi understands this, as their lineup also includes a collection for Panerai. I personally prefer glossy crocodile leather, so I applied wax to the surface of the borrowed sample to give it a slight shine. However, applying wax does not affect the water resistance.
Recommended for business people who travel frequently
So, the conclusion is this. Premium Crocodile is the perfect leather strap for use in Japan, where temperatures are high and humidity are high. Because it's not shiny, you have to be careful with the watch you pair it with, but because it's completely waterproof, it's suitable for both business and casual wear. I especially recommend it for business people who travel frequently. I usually take a watch with a bracelet on business trips, but from now on, I plan to travel with a business watch with Premium Crocodile.
