Ok, so got a very thin, beautiful Omega alligator strap, vintage , probably 50 years old.
It’s splitting around the scales as I’m wearing it.
Any ideas on a product to soften it?
It’s leather lined.
Any expert I could send it to?
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Ok, so got a very thin, beautiful Omega alligator strap, vintage , probably 50 years old.
It’s splitting around the scales as I’m wearing it.
Any ideas on a product to soften it?
It’s leather lined.
Any expert I could send it to?
The only thing I can think of is this,though I expect it maybe to late to save.
https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/lede...-bootcare-wax1
Leather oil or saddle oil, but as already said, sounds like that boat has sailed.
Put "vintage leather refurbishers" or "vintage leather restorers" into Google and see if there's anyone near you who can take a look at it, see if it's salvageable. Good chance it'll cost more than anew one, but worth it if there's sentimental value.
E45 softens leather brilliantly
If the leather is splitting, then yes by softening you will reduce further splitting, but depending how bad the splitting is in the first place it will need some form of strengthening, some form of flexible glue that can be coloured to match the original strap that will prevent further splitting.
I would try a flexible superglue with colouring to match the strap, firstly to strengthen the strap where it is split and then add the softening afterwards.
I used to make vintage leather straps, sometimes it’s not easy to repair vintage leather without replacement, it all depends on the weakness/ damage in the first place.
With straps it’s a very small surface area to repair, especially when it’s most likely to have a very expensive watch attached to it!
It would also be possible to to re-line the strap with a thin kangaroo lining or horween shell cordovan( expensive), to strengthen from the inside out.
It really does matter how much value is in the original strap or indeed what is attached to it!
A mainly lanolin based product. The best natural leather (and skin) treatment IMHO.