The strap is a general term for the effective part of the watch's fixed wrist. There are many kinds of strap materials, cowhide is the most common one, and crocodile skin is the most precious one. The crocodile leather strap is also called “platinum” in the leather strap. Today, I will learn about watch straps with Xiaobian.
Watch strap knowledge: common strap classification
Watch straps are roughly divided into the following types: ceramic straps, metal straps (tungsten-titanium alloy strips, solid steel strips, solid copper strips, solid powder metallurgy strips, steel strips, steel wire braids, etc.), belts, nylon braids Belt, woven strap, rubber strap, fabric strap, etc.
Watch strap knowledge: How to distinguish between crocodile skin and cowhide strap?
In the market, the crocodile leather strap is most easily confused with the crocodile leather strap. Because the crocodile-grain leather strap is cheap, it can also have a crocodile pattern. In the market, some merchants often use crocodile-grain leather belts to pretend to sell crocodiles, so it is necessary to understand the difference between the two.
The problems are mainly concentrated in the following two points:
1. How many kinds of crocodile skin straps are there?
2. How do you distinguish between crocodile leather strap and cowhide crocodile?
As we all know, many of the high-grade watches are made of precious metal leather straps, and the leather watch has a very strong decorative effect. The same watch uses metal straps and belts to make a completely different effect; the same watch with cowhide straps and crocodile straps is also very different. The belt is on the table, just like the clothes. If you buy a good watch, you must match the strap and take care of it. We play the watch, we also play the strap, and play a different style with a watch. This is the watch fan. Ok, for the above problem. I will answer them separately, there may be nowhere, and everyone will leave a message to discuss.
Part 1: Classification of crocodile leather straps
There are many types of belts sold on the market, including: crocodile skin, lizard skin, ostrich skin, pearl fish skin, cowhide, shark skin and so on. There are also some soft straps, such as rubber straps, silicone straps, nylon straps, etc. We mainly discuss crocodile belts and cowhide belts, as these two straps are the two most commonly used.
In this section we explore the crocodile skin strap.
Crocodiles are amphibious carnivorous reptiles with a wide distribution. There are 23 species of crocodiles in the world, including the Mississippi River crocodile in North America, the Amazonian crocodile in South America, the Nile crocodile in Africa, the Indian crocodile in South Asia, and the Thai crocodile. Chinese alligator and Australian crocodile. However, for a variety of reasons, including crocodile cherish protection, the cortex itself, etc., not all crocodiles can be used to make straps.
There are two main types of crocodile leather straps on the market. One is the alligator skin strap, the English is alligator, some are Mississippi alligators, some are Louisiana Anna alligators, no matter which, it is the skin of the short crocodile. The other is the Kamen crocodile leather strap. The English behind the strap is usually Caimen, or Genuine Crocodile.
Among the two crocodile straps, the American Alligator strap is a more upscale option. Its characteristic is that the crocodile skin pattern is mainly made of big bamboo knot or square pattern. The texture of the finished strap is like bamboo. The bending direction of the strap has exactly one section of texture, which is very soft and sticks to the wrist. (This is very important. I thought that the crocodile skin is so rough and thick, it is definitely harder than cowhide, and it is much stronger, but the actual use found that it is not the case at all. The cowhide is harder, not sticky, not soft enough. , but more solid.)
Moreover, the pattern of the alligator crocodile belt is relatively good, mainly divided into large bamboo knot patterns, bamboo knot patterns combined with checkered patterns, or round lines. Then, relative to the alligator crocodile, the texture of the Kamen crocodile skin is a bit unruly, usually chaotic, irregular lines, feeling that the high-end watches rarely use Kamen crocodile skin, because usually Kamen crocodile leather strap comparison Thin, suitable for small and thin watches, alligator crocodile skin is suitable for all kinds of thick, complex, large bowls. This is usually the case.
Is this cowhide or crocodile?
How to identify crocodile skin and crocodile pattern cowhide belt?
Although it is a big shopping mall or a specialty store to buy a belt, crocodile skin or leather will not be wrong. But everyone still has a chance to be sure that there is nothing wrong with it, just to prevent it.
Of course, when choosing a net enough for a crocodile belt, it must be used.
Then there are several "stupid ways" to distinguish between crocodile skin and crocodile grain cowhide. Because I am not professional in leather, I can only say that it is a "stupid method" of experience.
I. "View its type."
Observe the crocodile skin strap mainly from the front. For the strap to observe from both sides of the "front and back". Where to observe?
Look at the lines of the crocodile.
The texture of the real crocodile skin is usually irregular, and you have to knock on the door when you buy it. If you buy a crocodile leather strap, you may wish to let the store pick you two or three crocodile belts. If the three belts have different textures, then the crocodile belt is very likely. Because the lower cut of each belt is definitely different, the texture must be different. If all three are a pattern, then it is likely to be a leather crocodile belt, because the embossed mold will certainly not have many sets. Generally it is a set. Therefore, the crocodile pattern cowhide has a style pattern, but the crocodile belts are different.
Secondly, in the inside of the crocodile skin, like the palm print of the human, there are many small lines. Again, there are many irregular small lines on the longitudinal edge of the crocodile skin. The leather crocodile pattern is a "black piece of cockroach". Moreover, the bamboo grain lines of the cowhide crocodile pattern are often clear and meticulous.
The real crocodile skin is relatively thick, and many watch fans like the belt watch. If you buy a steel belt, you should also wear a belt, or buy a belt directly, because it is a consumable item and you need to buy a belt. Some watch fans may not care well, causing premature aging of the belt and a short service life. It hangs in about 1 year. Therefore, the purchase of the belt has become a dilemma, buy the original, of course, the quality is very good, but very expensive, generally about 2000. With folding buckles, there is no humanity, O's, IWC, and other brands of folding steel buckles are above 2000. Close to the price of gold. .
The main watch belt counters are all imported. Many watch fans think it is very good. Indeed, its quality is much better than many domestic crocodile leather straps. It can be said that it is not bad. But compared to the original crocodile belt, it is definitely not a level of things. The original belts are mostly produced in Germany and France. Especially the German crocodile belts are very good, such as Lange's belt, and Glashütte's belt. It is the best of the crocodile belt I have seen. The Longines crocodile belt is French, and the quality is very good.
Chinese-made styles are still not up to this level. Differs greatly. Performance in two ways:
One is the thickness aspect. There may be a gap in the leather used by itself. In addition, from the perspective of the belt texture, the belt is still light, and the texture is not strong, and it is relatively thin.
The thickness of the original belt is very thick, not only the part with the filler, but also the tail is very thick.
Second, the original belt is mostly hand-wrapped, the level of fineness is very high. Look at the pins to tell the level.
American crocodile (bamboo pattern) V.S leather bamboo knot
Reptile leather is the best choice for making high-end leather straps. However, the Alligator is one of the most valuable and rare varieties, and is the best choice for many of the world's top watches.
The crocodile skin is precious and rare, and its unique aesthetic value can highlight the noble identity and unique taste of the user. The texture, texture and feel of the American crocodile skin are obviously different from other leathers. It has a unique wild beauty that can satisfy people's imagination and stimulation beyond daily life.
From the general observation, the texture of the American crocodile skin is very good, and the square bamboo knot on the surface is not only strong in stereo.
And there is a feeling that it can be peeled off like a scale, very vivid.
From a subtle observation, look at the direct lateral gap of each bamboo joint, which is the section of the "bamboo", which is dotted with numerous fine lines and folds, delicate and clear; while the leather can be embossed to produce bamboo. The effect, but no matter how realistic the texture is, it is impossible to produce the natural fine texture of the American crocodile skin. This is also the most important means of identifying true American crocodile skin ~
