"Leather" Watch Winder

Some sellers insist their watch winders are leather clad. But when challenged with a “flame” test, they become defensive and would try giving several excuses. Some others eventually refuse to sell me their product. Fact: Genuine leather would NOT burn using a cigarette lighter.


Either they were conned by their supplier into believing that the watch winders are real leather or they really don’t know their product well. The last possibility (I hope it isn’t true) is that they are trying to sell their products unscrupulously. They try to deceive their customers.


In actual fact, these watch winders are clad in either PVC or PU Leather, commonly known as Pleather in a broad term. Although they are both petroleum based, PVC and PU are different in terms of chemical composition, thermal characteristics, manufacturing process and appearance.



PVC Leather
Poly vinyl chloride (PVC) is a synthetic thermoplastic polymer of vinyl chloride.


Characteristics:


Good abrasion resistance and tensile strength


Good chemical resistance to mild chemicals, oils and solvents


Poor resistance to humidity


Average temperature resistance (max. 65 deg C)


Lowest cost in manufacturing and coating process


Flexible but not provide tactile sensitivity associated with most rubber products


Non-environmental friendly – not biodegradable


PVC was the first form of Pleather, created in the 1920’s by replacing hydrogen within vinyl groups with a chloride group. The result was the stronger, more resistant material that manufacturers had been looking for. Shortly thereafter, PVC began to enjoy success as an alternative to metal. However, as a fabric, imitation leather was criticized as “feeling artificial” and being “too sticky” in hot temperatures.


Then in the 70’s, the Dupont Company developed a new range of artificial leather impregnated with polyurethane which has become the “new” Pleather today. Due to the higher temperature resistance and durability, PU Leather saw a wider range of applications including, but not limited to, furniture, car and motorcycle seats, soccer balls, punching bags, fashion, etc. Dupont made PU Leather more “breathable” and better than PVC.



PU Leather
Polyurethane (PU) is a thermoplastic polymer of urethane - a manmade fiber or thermoplastic resin.


Characteristics:


Excellent abrasion resistance and tensile strength


Excellent chemical resistance to oils, organic solvents, oxidation and ozone


High durability and flexibility


High temperature resistance (max.80 deg C)


Higher cost in manufacturing and coating process


Flexible and provides tactile sensitivity just like in most rubber products


Environmental friendly – biodegradable



PU versus PVC

Nowadays the vast majority of Soccer balls, including the very best, are made from synthetic materials and not real leather. Most companies use polyurethane (PU) for the outer layer of their top balls. Polyvinylchloride (PVC) is used as the outer material for cheaper balls, but it is a less durable synthetic material. When compared with PVC balls, PU balls are softer, more like leather, while they also have better playing qualities and are not affected by cold weather. But not all PU balls are the same. In general, the thicker the PU layer, the better the playing qualities and touch. SELECT's Pro series balls have the thickest PU layer in our range.

Links: http://www.selectsportamerica.com/knowledge_base/difference/



Don’t be fooled by the sellers claiming their watch winders are dressed with leather. The first clue would be in the price they offer. Leather is expensive. So how could genuine leather two-watch winders cost $120.00?



So how can I tell the difference?

Leather has an “exotic” smell. I’m sure you are aware of that. On the other hand, PVC smells like plastics and is typically a bit more “shinier” than PU. PU is softer than PVC and more “leather-like” in appearance. PVC when subjected to humidity and heat will become sticky and peel over time.

Compared to PVC, PU leather cloth is more flexible with a higher tensile, tearing, and bursting strength. Due to this, PU leather cloth has an advantage when used in making products with high stress tolerance like shoes and luggage bags. Another difference between PU and PVC leather cloth is that the former is washable, can be dry-cleaned, and allows some air to flow through. On the other hand, PVC leather cloth does not breathe and cannot be dry-cleaned, because that can make it stiff.

Most cheap products are made with PVC (or a blend of PVC and PU). PVC represents a serious environmental hazard and has been described by Greenpeace as follows:

“PVC creates environmental problems throughout its life cycle. PVC releases a cocktail of toxic chemicals that will somehow, at some stage in the process and in some form or another, end up back in the environment. The only way to end this is to phase out its use and switch to alternatives.


During the production of PVC, dioxins are created and released. Dioxins are one of the most toxic chemicals known. They have been linked to immune system problems and cancer. Dioxins are also a potent hormone disrupter.


PVC contains additives. Phthalates are added to PVC to make it more flexible. 95% of all phthalates produced are made specifically for use in PVC. Some phthalates have been found to have hormone-disrupting effects.

When its useful life is over, PVC creates further environmental and health problems. When burned in incinerators and accidental fires, dioxins are created and toxic gasses can be released. Putting PVC into landfill is no answer, as over time, it releases additives, which can threaten groundwater supplies.

Recycling PVC is difficult, results in more toxic emissions and just recycles the same problems.”



For these reasons knowledgeable manufacturers do not use PVC in any of their products. Besides, PVC materials are also of a lower quality and will wear down quicker than products made with PU.

Be prudent, learn how to "smell" your purchase. If you can’t afford a genuine leather watch winder, then go for one with PU Leather instead!

Labels: Leather Watch Winder