Isn’t it funny that Apple sells its own leather case for the iPhone, a product that has literally no history with leather, and leather holders for the AirTag, a relatively cutting-edge device that isn’t really connected to leather… but the Apple Watch doesn’t have leather straps. Wristwatches and leather straps have been an unavoidable match for centuries, but it seems like something Apple just glossed over. If that fact somehow bugged you too like it’s bugging me, Bellroy’s got a clever solution. The smartwatch straps from Bellroy come with a durable elastomer base for comfort and to prevent slipping, but are then finished off with a wonderfully eye-catching eco-tanned leather top.
The leather-elastomer blend gives the watch the best of both worlds. The leather brings back the watch’s most trusted strap material, giving the watch an authentically classic appeal, while the elastomer base on the strap prevents it from slipping on your wrist. Since the Apple Watch’s main hardware is fairly heavier than most regular watches, it succumbs to the effects of gravity, which is why having a rubbery base to the strap helps. A texture on the underside also promotes breathability, so the strap never makes your skin feel sweaty.
The premium leather on top, however, comes with an eco-friendly veggie-tan and patinas over time, becoming uniquely imperfect as the leather ages… a phenomenon that contrasts beautifully to the Apple Watch, which always looks cutting-edge. It’s a contrast that feels weirdly comforting, if you ask me. It gives the technology a facet that feels much more human, one of aging… while still remaining classically timeless, because leather and wristwatches are truly an inseparable pair!
Bellroy’s Apple Smartwatch Straps come in 5 colors – Black, Basalt, Cobalt, Racing Green, and Toffee, and ship worldwide with a 3-year warranty.
Designer: Bellroy
