Now, straight up, most Rolexes nowadays come with metal bracelets. It’s kinda their *thing*. But back in the day, like way back, you could actually get more of ’em with leather straps. Makes you wonder why they stopped, right? Maybe too much hassle with sourcing good leather? Who knows.
And here’s the thing, Rolex *doesn’t* actually sell straps separately. Like, you can’t just stroll into an authorized dealer and be like, “Yo, lemme get a brown alligator strap for my Submariner.” Nope. You might be able to get a replacement if your original one is, like, totally busted, but even then, expect a wait. We’re talking potentially *weeks*. Talk about a headache.
So, where does that leave you if you’re really vibing with the leather-Rolex look? Well, you’ve got options. Pre-owned is your friend, my dude. Places like Ramsdens Jewellery (according to the search results, anyway) sell pre-owned Rolexes with leather bands. Just be sure you’re buying from a reputable place, authenticity is key, y’know? Don’t wanna get stuck with a fake Rolex sporting some pleather strap that falls apart after a week. That would suck.
Or, and this is my personal favorite, you could go the aftermarket route. There are tons of companies out there that make *amazing* leather straps that are compatible with Rolexes. StrapsCo seems to be one of them. I mean, think about it: you can get a strap in any color, any material (alligator, crocodile, calfskin…the world is your oyster!), and really customize your watch to your own personal style. Plus, it’s generally cheaper than trying to source an “official” Rolex leather strap (which, again, good luck with that).
I saw something about “Rolex Perpetual 1908 dress watches” having leather straps. If you’re going new, this might be something to look into. A dress watch is a good excuse for a leather strap.
Also, be aware that vintage Rolexes often came with leather straps, especially the smaller, more elegant models. A vintage Rolex with a fresh, high-quality leather strap? Now *that’s* a statement. I personally like the look of a smaller, vintage Rolex, maybe a 34mm, with a brown leather strap. It’s just so effortlessly cool.
Honestly, rocking a Rolex with a leather band is a bit of a rebellious move, in my opinion. It’s saying, “Yeah, I know the metal bracelet is the standard, but I’m doing my own thing.” And that’s pretty damn cool.
