Autumn Straps & Timeless Traditions

Autumn always feels likebber straps that felt right for summer adventures make room for the warmth and texture of leather.

There’s something deeply comforting about the look and feel of a watch on  a leather strap this time of year. Hence, now is the right time to bring out all the leather straps and get them ready for the season. Much like pulling your winter boots out of the closet and giving them a good shine, it’s a small, grounding ritual that reconnects you to familiar pieces and prepares them for the season ahead.

 

The Magic of Leather

I’ve always loved how a simple strap can completely transform a watch. Swap a bracelet for a soft, worn leather strap, and suddenly a sporty piece feels classic or more elegant. Change the color, and you’ve altered the mood entirely.

My father used to do this constantly. He had a very traditional style — white shirts, blazers, polished shoes — but his watches were where he expressed himself. I still remember him switching between red, blue, and green straps, each one giving his classic look just a touch of character. It fascinated me how something so small could change so much.

That little detail has stayed with me. To me, leather straps are an invitation to play — to make a watch feel new again without changing the watch itself.

 

Preparing for the Season Ahead

Before the colder months set in, I like to take an evening to get my watches ready for the new season. I wipe down the cases, clean the details around the lugs, and give each strap the attention it deserves. Leather needs that extra bit of care and preparation, just like boots before their first winter walk. The AIS ChronoLeatherPen does exactly that to my leather straps. It moisturises and conditions the leather, thereby making it more flexible, supple and resistant to exterior impacts during the upcoming season. 

A gentle clean, a light conditioning, and a soft polish bring the natural material back to life. The process is slow, quiet, and satisfying, a small reminder that taking care of something well-made always feels good.

 

A New Strap for a New Season

This autumn, I’m especially excited about getting a new strap for my Oris Big Crown Bronze Pointer Date Father Time. The bronze case already carries such warmth and character, I can’t wait to see how it pairs with a rich brown or deep green or red strap.

There’s something symbolic about this ritual: as the seasons change, so do the details we wear. Each adjustment, whether it’s a new strap or a careful polish, becomes part of our rhythm of care.

 

 

The Beauty of Rituals

For me, watch care has always been more than maintenance, it’s a quiet moment to slow down, to reconnect with craftsmanship, and to carry a bit of tradition forward. My father might not have called it a ritual, but that’s exactly what it was, a gesture of respect for the things we love and the time they represent.

So here’s to autumn: to leather straps, warm colors, and the comforting rhythm of care.

With love from Zürich,
Anna