Historic shipwreck leaves its mark on green leather Apple Watch band

Sometimes even an item as mundane as a watch strap tells a story. And the Russian Green Leather Apple Watch Band by Clessant has a cool one.

The band’s design is inspired by leather discovered in a doomed shipwreck more than 200 years ago. Clessant takes this inspiration to new levels and brings this unique discovery to light with its modern-day interpretation of this age-old Russian leather.

Best List: Clessant Russian Green Leather Apple Watch Band

This band is as unique as the leather that inspires it and is a remake of that found aboard the Metta Catharina — a doomed shipped filled with Russian leather that sunk off England’s Plymouth Sound in 1786. As the story goes, the ship was to carry its cargo of leather and hemp from St. Petersburg, Russia, to Genoa, Italy, when it was met with gale-force winds. While the crew survived, the ship — not to mention all its precious cargo — sank.

In 1973, members of a local diving club discovered the wrecked ship. The Metta Catharina yielded a historic goldmine: “Russia” leather, a term used in the 17th and 18th centuries to describe the tanned and curried leather crafted by St. Petersburg artisans. A luxury item back then, Russia leather remains highly prized.

The majority of the found hides have a hand-embossed cross-hatch pattern, the same pattern that Clessant has beautifully emulated in its Russian Green Apple Watch Band. I love the texture of this band, as its unique to anything I’ve seen. It really distinguishes itself from the pile of Apple Watch bands collecting on my desk.

Premium-grade embossed calf’s leather

As with all of its luxury bands, Clessant takes craftsmanship to detailed levels, from the leather chosen down to the stitching and high-quality hardware. The making of a Clessant strap is a specific and complicated process, with more than 60 separate steps to completion. Based in the French Alps, the company is led by two entrepreneurs with a common passion for luxury, boutique craftsmanship and technology.

Wearing this band is a pleasure, and I’ve found that after a couple week’s worth of use the leather becomes really comfortable. In time, the Russian Green Leather Band will develop a rich patina. It’s also very durable: The leather is resistant to water and scuffs.

Supple yet sturdy, this strap features the best in quality, longevity and feel. Naturally tanned leather lines the band’s interior, which is finished off with contrasting off-white stitching.

Clessant uses rock-solid lugs

The adapters Clessant uses for its bands fit Apple Watch like a glove — no cheap imitations here. Choose from four different adapter colors, in stainless steel or aluminum: Space Gray, Space Black, Rose Gold or Gold.

The 38 mm strap fits wrists 16 cm to 19.3 cm (6.29 inches to 7.59 inches), and the 42mm strap fits wrists: 17.7 cm to 21 cm (6.95 inches to 8.25 inches). Measure your wrist first for an accurate fit!

Beautiful, well-made and artful, I love and highly recommend this band. I think you will, too.

Price: $157 (Free shipping included with all Clessant orders!)

Buy from: Watch Store