The Breitling Watch Source Forums

My Datora has the dark brown croc strap with white stitching.

After 2 years with the watch, I've noticed two issues.

First, some of the white stitching has gotten dirty. Does anyone have any suggestions for cleaning this without damaging or bleaching the croc leather?

Second, the leather appears to be fading at then ends closest to the watch. Very odd. Has anyone else had a similar issue? Doesn't bother me too much, but since the replacement straps are rather expensive, I thought I'd check.

I will post pictures of both issues tonight.

As always, thanks in advance for your help.

Pictures added below. The side-by-side shows the dirty strap on the left as compared to a brand new watch. The others show the fading. Though the picture quality is crappy, the strap is accurately depicted - not a glare or trick of the light.

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Breitling Old Navitimer Mecanique
Breitling Transocean Chronograph Limited
Breitling Montbrillant Datora
Breitling Chronomat B01
Vintage Rolex Air King

Have never seen that fading, very odd

Gentle soap and water will clean up the stitching - just don't let the strap get too wet and then pat dry and allow to thoroughly dry naturally.

Roff:

Thanks for the suggestion. I've learned a great deal from your many other posts.

And if you've never seen fading like I've got, I feel pretty sure that I've got a one of a kind issue. I do wear that watch very frequently, but it's been well cared for, never been wet outside of very minor and occasional sweat, and when not in use is stored in my winder. As I said above, it doesn't bother me too much as it currently looks, but I'm worried that if it continues, it will become very noticeable.

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Breitling Old Navitimer Mecanique
Breitling Transocean Chronograph Limited
Breitling Montbrillant Datora
Breitling Chronomat B01
Vintage Rolex Air King

Are you sure it's fading? From the pictures, it looks like the strap is developing a dark patina except towards the watch head where the color looks like the new strap.


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Regards,

Peter

BREITLING for Bentley Motors T & Mark VI, Aerospace
ROLEX Submariner Ceramic116610LN
OMEGA Plantet Ocean 8500 42mm Orange arabics
OCEAN7 LM-3

My thought too.

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SHARKMAN

I must be honest but I really LIKE that fading/patina on the strap! Never come across anything like fading before myself, but in this case I think it's a really nice effect.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Shark & Pete - It's definitely fading. This is the dark brown strap - the dark color you see is the color it was the day it left the store.

Driver - its funny that you say that. I've actually gotten compliments specifically on the fading. Since its a Datora, which has a throwback look to it anyway, it does sort of fit.

Thanks again guys - really appreciate the thoughts and help.

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Breitling Old Navitimer Mecanique
Breitling Transocean Chronograph Limited
Breitling Montbrillant Datora
Breitling Chronomat B01
Vintage Rolex Air King

Pete and Shark:

Re-read your comment - the darker strap is the dark brown croc. The new strap is the "gold" croc strap. The comparison was intended only to show the dirt on the dark strap's stitching.

Thanks.

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Breitling Old Navitimer Mecanique
Breitling Transocean Chronograph Limited
Breitling Montbrillant Datora
Breitling Chronomat B01
Vintage Rolex Air King

At any rate, I agree with the comments above that it looks really good as is. As a matter of fact, I'm trying to get a similar patina on mine.

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Regards,

Peter

BREITLING for Bentley Motors T & Mark VI, Aerospace
ROLEX Submariner Ceramic116610LN
OMEGA Plantet Ocean 8500 42mm Orange arabics
OCEAN7 LM-3

Is your wrist exposed to a lot of sunshine? If the lugs are constantly in sunshine while the rest of the band is somewhat protected, it may well be from exposure to the sun. A bright sun will lighten almost anything including furniture, wood floors, etc.

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1809 Cosmonaute
1903 Navi
Navi Olympus
Super Avenger

I agree with the others, the look of the fading leather adds some character and actually looks really nice.....

Well I'm certainly feeling better about this whole thing, and I will now refer to the lightening of the strap as patina rather than fading. 

As for sunshine - as a book collector, I've had my issues with sun fading before. I wear the watch golf, but take it off when I play. When not in use, the watch is In a closed winder. The only way I can think of that the lugs would get extended sun is when I drive. 

In any event, if I figure out how this occurred, I'll let you know so that you can duplicate this most excellent patina. 

Thanks so much for your comments. 

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Breitling Old Navitimer Mecanique
Breitling Transocean Chronograph Limited
Breitling Montbrillant Datora
Breitling Chronomat B01
Vintage Rolex Air King

darn i wished i could get my green croc to do this , that strap is stunning!!!!!! i hate the look and feel of new croc, that my friend is class in a glass i know of people who actually wear the leather manually to get this look.

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Breitling chronospace (2012)
super avenger STICKS (2010) pro 2
super avenger ARABIC (2005) pro 1 / Red Ocean racer
navi heritage (2006)
seawolf ti (2005)
Omega Planet Ocean (orange) 42mm
Rolex DSSD (2010)

First cold press extra virgin olive oil is a good place to start.


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SHARKMAN

That's the best way to think of it! If it's a good enough phrase for people to use when sell old and knackered watches ("Oh no sir, that's not watch damage from when I once left the crown unscrewed that you see on that dial there - it's patina!" ), then it's sure good enough for that great looking strap!

As I said above, I really like that look.

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Driver8

Site Moderator