Hello, everyone, and welcome to another review. In this article, I’ll briefly review a new pair of straps from local strap label RSM Watch Strap.
Renowned for its premium fabric straps, RSM has steadily broadened its collection, adding canvas options alongside longstanding favourites like its silk and lizard straps. This time, the brand sent me its new Italian Buttero leather strap and an embossed alligator-grain calf leather strap. Let’s see if they are any good.
RSM Watch Strap – Italian Buttero leather
Let’s start with the Italian Buttero leather strap, specifically in the taupe colourway.
Buttero is a premium full-grain leather made from high-quality Italian hides, typically sourced from Tuscany. For the uninitiated, leather is commonly categorised into three broad tiers of quality: genuine leather, top-grain leather, and full-grain leather, with the latter generally regarded as the highest grade. Vegetable-tanned using natural tannins, Buttero leather is prized for its durability, smooth finish and rich, natural colour. Over time, it also develops a distinctive patina, giving each piece its own unique character.
The vegetable-tanning process gives Buttero leather its distinctive character while offering an alternative to chrome tanning. Its smooth finish, rich colour and durability make it an excellent choice for premium accessories, particularly watch straps. With age and use, the leather develops a unique patina, adding depth and character that makes each strap increasingly individual over time.
The Buttero leather strap is hand-stitched, with thick, prominent stitching running neatly along its edges. The stitching is consistent and tidy, with no loose or fraying threads. The strap holes are cleanly punched, and edge paint finishes the edges for a more refined look. Overall, the workmanship is commendable, with good attention to detail throughout.
The underside straps are lined with Zermatt leather, prized for its sweat resistance, hypoallergenic properties, and supple feel. It’s a significant upgrade over the stiff, cardboard-like linings found on older straps, offering a far more comfortable wearing experience. Quick-release spring bars also come standard, making it easy to swap straps without extra tools.
I paired RSM’s taupe Buttero leather strap with my Merci Beaumarchais, a vintage-inspired everyday watch. The taupe leather complements the Beaumarchais beautifully, adding a casual yet refined touch that works equally well with a suit (as I’ve worn it here) or a more relaxed polo tee-and-jeans combo. At just $126, it’s also a relatively affordable way to elevate your watch’s look without breaking the bank.
RSM Watch Strap – Alligator Circular Grain Calf Leather
Next is the Alligator Circular Grain Calf Leather strap, arguably the more interesting of the two.
RSM’s Embossed Alligator Leather range captures the exotic appeal of alligator grain in the practicality and versatility of premium calf leather. Sourced from a tannery in Himeji City, Japan, each strap showcases generations of leatherworking expertise, with naturally defined patterns and a tactile richness that speaks to the precision of Japanese craftsmanship.
Each hide is meticulously hand-finished, allowing dyes to settle into the grooves and contours of the embossed grain. The result is a rich interplay of depth and tonal variation that lends the leather a more natural, organic character. Unlike flat-surface treatments, this layered dyeing process accentuates the grain’s texture, giving each strap a refined finish that develops further character with age and wear.
RSM offers the collection in distinct circular grain profiles, designed to complement dress watches and particularly well suited to vintage pieces for that understated, old-money charm. To put this to the test, I paired the Alligator Circular Grain Calf Leather strap with my hand-winding Breitling Premier B09, one of the dressiest watches in my collection. The strap tempers the burgundy dial’s richness without compromising the watch’s formal character, making it a natural companion to tailored attire, as shown in the photo above.
As with the Buttero leather strap, the Alligator Circular Grain Calf Leather strap features a Zermatt leather lining and quick-release spring bars for added convenience. RSM also offers a curved-lug version, albeit exclusively in a 20mm lug width, which is the variant I chose for my Breitling Premier B09. For those seeking an affordable, dressy everyday strap for a curved-lug watch, particularly a vintage timepiece, this is well worth considering.
By choosing embossed calf leather over genuine exotic hides, RSM captures the visual depth and elegance of alligator grain in a more versatile, durable, and wearable package. At S$135, or S$148 for the curved-lug variant, it also offers a considerably more accessible alternative to a handcrafted genuine alligator strap.
Conclusion – so RSM Watch Works’ 2026 straps “shiok” or not?
While RSM Watch Works initially made its name with quality fabric straps, the brand has noticeably strengthened its leather offerings in recent years, with these two latest additions representing further steps in the right direction. The Barenia leather strap is an excellent choice for those looking to elevate their everyday watches, while the Alligator Circular Grain Calf Leather variant delivers the sophistication of alligator grain in a more versatile and affordable package. Both are handcrafted with commendable attention to detail, offering impressive workmanship at a sub-S$150 price point.
Those interested in purchasing from RSM Straps can use the promo code “WAHSOSHIOK” to enjoy 10% off all products from its webstore.
View the full range of RSM’s offerings here.
P.S. Shiok is a common word Singaporeans use to express admiration or approval. As of 2016, you can find the definition of the word in the Oxford English Dictionary.
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