I suppose it goes without saying that I will never launch a leather unless I am happy with it and I’ve worn a strap made from it for some time, but there are always personal favourites. I’m confident that all of the ten new leathers launched last week will be popular with customers, but there are a couple I’m especially excited about umungst them, and this is a post about the first of them = Horween Essex. I’ve not taken it off my Panerai zero in the last 2 weeks, and I love it.
I’ve been looking for a good, soft, thickish but smooth cream leather for some time. Ever since “Almond” sold out in 2017 I’ve felt there was a gap in the store for something to replace it, but nothing I saw really inspired me. Horween have hit the nail on the head with this one though, and when I had a chance to sample it I knew I had to have some. Normally I’d confine myself to one hide to make sure, but I have absolutely no doubts that Horween Essex will sell well, so I’ve properly stocked up!
Essex is a fully vegetable tanned bovine hide that is produced by the Horween tannery in Chicago. Horween are a well established tannery that produce quite a few of the leathers I use (all the shell cordovan I use comes from Horween, as well as leathers like Horween Derby, Nero, Quarterback, Military Grey and Horween Nut Brown to name a few). With Essex they took 3 years developing it before they considered it ready for sale, and it actually goes through the same tanning process as their famous shell cordovan leathers. It’s very soft right from the start, but has a beautiful structure and is substantial enough for a big watch. When I bought it I had it in mind for my zero and I think it works perfectly – a light tan or cream leather just seems right for a black dial Panerai base.
Now some of you are going to want a more colourful stitch on your straps, but for my taste it has to be natural stitching with Horween Essex. When I make straps for myself I tend to have a conservative take on the contrast between the leather and the stitching, and so I can’t see me ever using anything else than natural thread with this one, but I will wait to see what others decide. Whatever you choose I know you’ll be happy with the leather.
The truth is that when I bought this I knew it would go well, but it was only when I started working with it I realised how much I liked it. Horween Essex is firmly up there in my absolute favourites and I can see this strap is going to get a LOT of wear. Horween Essex has been selling very well since it was launched and I look forward to hearing what my customers think when their straps arrive. You are going to love it!
