How to darken a leather strap?

[Rpcody]

Hey All, I have the Omega strap below incoming for my Speedy 9300. Any best practices on how to darken a leather strap? Bad idea? Easy to do? Tutorials? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Here is the photo. I understand the stitching will color too. That's fine.

[bigwatchman]

If you spent big money on it, which I assume you did, I would not touch it. I have done it with success on a $20 strap, but it was a lot of trial and error. The stitching turned darker. I used a combo of shoe polish and mink oil. It did darken but will wear off/lighten over time so you will have to do it again.

[Rpcody]

Thanks for the advice. Yeah, it's OEM Omega so it was a few bucks.

[jmsrolls]

Ryan,

My gold brown medici went from this:



to this:



I am cursed with oily skin. Daily rubbing of the strap across my forehead for a few months did the trick.

[Rpcody]

Fr. John is that true? Wait...you wouldn't lie. :)

That is the color I'm getting to the exact color I want.

Summer sweats are just around the corner.

[Kringkily]

Some leather cleaners have some oils and such that darken leather. I would just get a hirsh strap or something that has the color you are looking for.

[GradyPhilpott]

Mink oil will not only darken the leather, but will provide excellent protection for your watch strap from the elements.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/KIWI-Mink-...25-oz/21908012

[drsg1964]

Here is mine with a Hirsch Mariner dark brown strap, I also have OEM black strap,price difference about $100. I was better off just buying the Hirsch strap than experimenting.

[anothernewphone]

I love the way that strap looks now, Fr. John!