If you’re familiar with the WatchGecko Store it’s likely that you’ve heard talk of our Highley Leather Strap family. Whether we’re pairing it with popular luxury watches (of which it fits plenty) or showing it off amongst our affordable leather straps, there’s rarely a brief that the Highley doesn’t fit.
It’s for that reason that we expanded the Highley range from one watch strap to three, as this year saw the Original Vintage Highley evolve into the Classic Highley and the Flat Highley. We do understand though that these additions might make things a little confusing to some, that’s why I’m here to breakdown the Highley leather strap family and answer some of your burning questions.
Highley Leather Strap FAQ's
What is so special about the Highley Leather Watch Strap collection?
Handmade and finished.
Certified genuine vegetable-tanned, full-grain Italian leather.
Quick-release spring bars.
Cut edge, finished with colour-matched paint for a seamless finish for moisture prevention and durability.
Sewing machine stitched for a neat and uniformed finish.
Stamped and etched with the WatchGecko logo for reassurance of genuine quality.
Why wouldn’t the Highley be for you?
You prefer a hand-sewn finish.
You want a bolder variety of bright colours and textures.
What is the difference between the Original Vintage Highley, Classic Highley and Flat Highley?
The main feature that differentiates one Highley from another is the amount of padding.
Original Vintage Highley
Our Original Highley, as the name suggest, was the inaugural strap in this collection. Beloved thanks to its thick padding (6mm at the lug-end tapering down to 2.5mm at the buckle), the Original Highley is a generous leather strap and complements a variety of mid-size to large watches from dive watches to pilot watches as well as everyday watches.
Classic Highley
For those looking for a more subtly fitting leather watch strap, we created the Classic Highley. Crafted to be just over 4mm thick at the lug-end (tapering to 2.5mm), the Classic Highley also features a smaller buckle for a more refined and well-proportioned look.
Flat Highley
The Flat Highley is the thinnest of the three, making it extremely versatile and suitable for almost any watch. Measuring at just 2.7mm in thickness, this strap is most suited to slim dress and vintage watches.
Which popular watches complement our Highley straps?
Finding the perfect replacement strap that lives up to the quality and character of your watch’s original can feel like an endless search, but the WatchGecko Original Vintage Highley Genuine Leather Watch Strap makes it refreshingly simple. Crafted with an eye for detail and a dedication to premium materials, the Highley has impressed countless customers who note its uncanny ability to match, if not surpass, the quality and colour palette of OEM straps.
Opting for the Highley over an OEM replacement is not only a more cost-effective choice but also offers an opportunity to refresh your timepiece’s look with a strap designed to age beautifully over time. Its classic design and versatile finish complement plenty of iconic models, including:
Rolex Oyster Perpetual
Omega DeVille
Tudor Black Bay
Longines Spirit
Omega Seamaster Heritage
Omega Speedmaster
Zenith El Primero
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical
Longines Conquest
Oris Big Crown
Seiko 5
TAG Heuer Autavia
Tissot Heritage
Seiko Presage
Rolex Submariner
Seiko Cocktail Time
Breitling Navitimer
Don’t just take our word for it though, check out some authentic customer reviews below.
“I’ve bought and returned so many straps looking for something to match the quality of the straps that come from Omega, and WatchGecko’s matches those at a third of the price. It’s substantial but supple, breaks in easily yet maintains its form. I loved my watch on the steel bracelet but this strap makes it wearable every day. I’ve already ordered more straps for other watches.”
"Just the job and better then the original that came with the Omega."
"I ordered a reddish-brown leather strap from WatchGecko for my recent buy of a vintage Omega DeVille, from the early eighties. This strap matches my Omega perfectly in style and has an outstanding quality! I used other straps from different retailers for the past several years, but honestly, this is the ONE I have been after for so long! Guys, don’t waste your time - and hardly earned cash - on other tons of webshops, if you’re after some really proper straps at a low price. Be serious, man!"
"Top quality strap .. which matches any supplied by Omega I’ve recently bought. Stitching is first rate. Stamped buckle Recommended"
What are the Highley straps made from?
We use certified vegetable-tanned, full-grain Italian leather from a member of the Consorzio Vera Pelle Italiana Conciata Al Vegetale. These Tuscan tanneries use natural tannins and traditional methods to create sustainable leathers. This watch strap will develop a beautiful patina, improving with age and wear. Our leathers are certified from these responsible tanneries.
What colours does the Highley come in?
Each of the Highley straps comes in six different colours: Reddish Brown, Light Brown, Chocolate Brown, Black, Blue and Reef. These timeless colours are rich and distinctive, developing a patina over time for a worn in and vintage aesthetic.
What are the lug widths and measurements for each Highley strap?
The Original Vintage Highley has the most diverse range of lug widths available, catering to 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22mm lug widths. As the Classic and Flat Highley straps have been exclusively crafted for use with subtler, slimmer watches, these are available in 20mm or 22mm lug widths. All three of the straps 120/80mm in length.
You can shop the entire Highley Leather Strap collection on WatchGecko now.
