Strap trends prove colour and personalisation are still king

The success of Grand Seiko’s Japanese-crafted straps shows watch buyers still want to put their own stamp on things

Two trends led the 2025 watch strap scene: colour and personalisation, with wearers choosing bright hues and unique combinations to bring a bit of personality to their timepieces.

Grand Seiko sells more than 400 of its Japanese-crafted leather straps each year in the UK alone, with 15% of purchases made in the run up to Christmas. 

Overall, the brand’s strap sales have risen more than fourfold compared with 2024, following wider industry trends: according to Cognitive Market Research, the global market size is set to expand by 15.8% by 2031.

The navy crocodile leather strap remains its best-seller, perhaps following the other on-going trend for quiet luxury.

Behind every Grand Seiko strap is the work of Takumi craftspeople, who typically have 25 years or more of experience under their belts. Their techniques trace back to the Meiji era (1868-1912) in Japan. 

The brand’s master craftsman, Hiromasa Wakui, leads its leather workshop, overseeing each stage of strap production, from cutting and skiving to stitching and stamping. The team uses heritage methods such as Rembordé (which creates a folded edge, so the grain follows seamlessly to the lining) and Kikuyose (a Japanese technique that involves folding leather corners in a radial pattern) to create its straps.