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Start Shopping99% of the world’s leather is a by-product of the food industry which, thanks to the skill of manufacturers, can be transformed into a versatile and highly durable material; otherwise, it would end up in landfill. To answer the main question of this article straight away: Where does the leather used in watch straps come from? At NorteSpring, we only use hides that result from waste from the food industry. We believe that, in a circular economy, transforming this waste into a versatile material for everyday use is the most responsible thing to do.
Where does the leather used in watch straps and other fashion accessories come from?
Most (approximately 99%) of the world’s leather is a by-product of the meat, dairy and wool industries, with cattle, sheep, goats and pigs being the main sources.
The most important point to clarify is that none of these animals are raised to produce leather – it is a by-product which, thanks to the skill of the manufacturer, can be transformed into a versatile material that is highly prized worldwide.
Which are the main leather-producing countries?
The top three leather-producing countries by volume are: Italy, China and Brazil. However, leather is produced all over the world. Globally, the leather industry is a major employer, with around half a million people directly involved in manufacturing. However, this figure can be multiplied several times over when considering those working in related industries, such as the leather footwear industry, leather goods, leather clothing, fashion accessories, furniture, including the automotive and aviation industries – all these industries use leather as a raw material and provide employment for millions of people.
What are the benefits of leather, and why is it one of the most widely used raw materials in the manufacture of watch straps?
Properly produced leather is a truly sustainable material. Hides and skins are primarily a by-product of the meat and dairy industry, and processing them into leather is the best use for these hides.
The leather industry creates a product that is both natural and durable – leather is unique in its ability to combine beauty, comfort and functionality.
Given the extensive range of raw materials with different properties and the many production processes developed over time, leather manufacturing is highly versatile, with a wide variety of properties and appearances.
Below, we list what we consider to be the main benefits of using leather in the production of some of our universal watch strap models.
1 – Reduces waste
Modern leather manufacturing recycles over 270 million bovine hides every year. These are a by-product of the food industry and, without the leather industry’s ability to transform them into leather, over 7 million tonnes would end up in landfill, with a significant environmental and biological impact. Leather makes a sustainable contribution to a society that needs to consume less, reuse more and recycle everything.
2 – It is a strong and durable material
Well-made leather lasts a long time and, unlike most synthetic materials, improves in appearance with use and over time, developing a patina that is unique and meaningful to its owner.
As we consciously seek ways to reduce consumption, leather fits perfectly with the spirit of ‘buy less, buy better’. Investing in quality leather products is investing in a more sustainable future.
3 – Easy to maintain and repairable
The journey towards sustainability begins with products that can be repaired to extend their use. Leather requires little maintenance, is easy to care for at home, does not consume many resources to wash and dry, and we are seeing more and more craftspeople specialising in repair services for valuable leather goods.
4 – Recyclable
Leather offcuts from the manufacturing process in some industries can be reused as raw material for other products, such as small fashion accessories like watch straps. We can also combine small amounts of leather with other materials to create composite products.
Leather at the end of its useful life is biodegradable; depending on the type, it can take between 10 and 50 years to decompose. We are also seeing some industries reinventing themselves and recycling leather components from footwear and leather goods into something entirely new.
5 – Versatile and Comfortable
Thanks to the progress made in recent decades, leather is now produced in thousands of colour and texture combinations, allowing for the creation of the most diverse and versatile items.
Leather is designed to be both durable and soft and comfortable at the same time. Leather has a ‘breathability’ that allows it to easily regulate body temperature, naturally absorbing and retaining moisture from our skin.
It will also mould to its wearer – whether on a watch strap, a shoe, a leather jacket or a wallet carried in the back pocket of your trousers, year after year. Leather adapts individually, depending on how it is used.
6 – Leather is naturally beautiful
Finally, the last benefit we’d like to highlight is the natural beauty of leather, which, unlike many materials, improves with time and use. There is a global consensus on the beauty of leather and its importance in the fashion industry.
In conclusion…
Thank you for reading this far, and for now knowing where the leather used in watch straps comes from. To complement this information, we’ve included this cartoon explaining what leather is and its uses since the dawn of civilisation. For further information on the origin, characteristics and benefits of natural leather, please visit the Leather Naturally website. The statistical data and more technical information have been compiled based on information shared by this organisation.