Ashland Leather Shell Cordovan Apple Watch Straps

Crafted from Shell Cordovan leather sourced directly from the Horween Leather Company, these straps are designed to fit the Apple Watch series 1 and 2. Starting with a specifically thick piece of Shell Cordovan (thick enough for single-layer construction), each strap is die cut with steel-forged dies and stitched by hand to navigate the custom-made hardware. Because the straps are made from Shell Cordovan, they will develop a natural patina over time and become more and more comfortable every day.

Pioneered in the Middle Ages by the Moors, Shell Cordovan has roots in Spain, with the city of Cordoba lending its name to this rare leather. Today, it’s most commonly associated with Horween Leather Company—the country’s oldest tannery still producing Shell Cordovan. It comes from the fibrous flat muscle, or shell, taken from a specific part of a horse’s hide. Over the course of 6 months, it undergoes an extensive process that includes tanning, stuffing, shaving, and polishing. Regarded as one of the most durable forms of leather, Shell Cordovan is also prized for its unique hand-finished color treatment.