At Delugs, we’re constantly searching for new ways to reimagine what a watch strap can be — not just in terms of fit and finish, but also in the materials we work with. Our latest release, the 2025 Exotics Collection, marks a new chapter in that journey. Featuring handcrafted leather straps made from Salmon, Lizard and Ostrich Body, this strictly made-to-order collection brings raw beauty, rare textures and unexpected finishes to the wrist, while staying true to the craftsmanship and wearability you’ve come to expect from Delugs.
Rethinking Exotic Leathers
While alligator and crocodile skins are commonly associated with exotic straps, we wanted to look beyond convention. The 2025 Exotics Collection expands our material palette in thoughtful, surprising directions — introducing leathers that are as refined as they are distinctive, animalistic in nature and treated with modern techniques to enhance their durability and aesthetic appeal.
This collection isn’t about flash. It’s about texture, tone and the quiet confidence of a strap that does things differently.
Salmon Leather: Distinctive Texture
Sourced from French tannery ICTYOS, our vegetable-tanned Salmon leather straps derive from salmon skin taken from aquaculture farms — a by-product of the food industry transformed through vegetable tanning into something completely new. This leather offers a visual character unlike anything else in our lineup.
Available in 8 colours, Salmon leather features a natural scale pattern which, in our case, is enhanced with two-tone or iridescent finishes. With their layered textures, these Salmon leather straps are a bold statement on the wrist and are practically guaranteed conversation starters. Also unique to the leather is its production — strap edges are folded instead of painted, a design choice that prevents curling and ensures long-term durability.
Available in Imperial Red, Electric Lime, Himalayan, Sapphire Blaze, Blue Storm, Golden Ink, Sierra Brown and Tuxedo.
Lizard Leather: A Subtle Statement
Our Lizard straps are made using Tegu Ring Lizard skins, sourced from Italian tannery Verdeveleno, which also supplies the leather used in our alligator straps. Keen minds might recall that this is not the first time we’ve produced Lizard leather straps — this new iteration features improved visual quality, with bleached skins used to achieve more consistent and vivid colouration.
With up to 12 colours to choose from, our Lizard straps are a versatile option for those seeking something both refined and tactile. They offer a smooth surface that feels remarkably similar to alligator flank leather in hand, but with a slightly tighter, sleeker scale pattern that's perfect for dress watches and affords a subtly different presence on the wrist.
Available in Blue Grey, Green Ischia, Dark Brown, Navy, Black, Yellow, Purple, Sakura Pink, Orange, Denim, Taupe and Red.
Ostrich Body: Uncommon, Understated, Underrated
Ostrich leather is often associated with the distinctive ridges found on the leg skin, but for this collection, we’ve chosen to work with the body of the ostrich instead. This version is less common in the world of watch straps and speaks to our interest in exploring the less-travelled paths in leathercraft.
With 12 colours to choose from, the chrome-tanned Ostrich Body features an organic scattering of quill follicles, which requires careful planning and precise handling from our crafters to preserve the integrity of the strap's appearance across different strap profiles. Presenting as a naturally dotted texture, these follicles contribute to a strikingly unique appearance — no two examples are alike.
Available in Oatmeal, Gerbera, Cobalt, Pink, Dark Grey, Dark Brown, Cognac, Boreal Green, Sage Green, Bordeaux, Cream and Sun Yellow.
Why These Leathers Matter
Working with exotic materials is not just a matter of sourcing something rare. It’s about exploring how leather behaves, how it wears, and how it transforms a watch on the wrist. Each leather in the 2025 Exotics Collection required us to adapt our production techniques — whether it was folding edges, using a different treatment or improving cut precision — all to bring out the best in each material without compromising comfort or longevity.
As with all Delugs straps, each piece is handcrafted to the highest standards and will be made to your specifications. Every strap will ship with our Delugs Classic Buckle and custom quick release spring bars installed, ensuring fuss-free enjoyment.
Available Now
The 2025 Exotics Collection is now available online, with straps in Salmon, Lizard and Ostrich Body across 3 of our most popular strap styles — Slim, Signature and Stitchless — with either contrast or tone-on-tone stitching. These straps will be produced for lug widths ranging from 16-14 all the way up to 26-24 and in S, M and L sizes. Whether you're looking to elevate your favourite watch with a new texture or add something unexpected to your rotation, these straps are a new way to wear the uncommon — confidently and comfortably.
Explore the New Salmon, Lizard and Ostrich Body Exotics Collection Now!
