Italian Morellato Straps – Their story, and 4 reasons why they're worth it

Tags: About the brand | Straps and bands

31.5.2022 | 6 MIN

We all know this, a new strap refreshens even the faces of our old, beaten watches. And I bet that if you care about your watch, you won't settle for anything less than excellent. We understand that, and this is how we found Morellato straps, which check the box of qualities for which we usually look in watches – quality workmanship, brilliant reputation, practicality, a long tradition, and, yes, nice design. Strap yourselves in, this list is far from finished yet.

It's true that straps come and go, don't last forever, and changing them is inevitable after some time. However, we do not need to look at them as mere consumer goods. Morellato makes straps which are fully fledged partners of your watch; they give it new energy, charm, and the personalised look which every demanding user insists on.

Morellato Watch Straps, which is part of the Morellato Group, is considered to be the leading European watch-making company. There are more than one reasons as of why that is, as well as more than one reasons as of why we think Morellato straps are worth it. In this article, I will show you four of those.

1. Touch the quality

When I gave a few Morellato straps into the hands of my colleagues from the store (who handle many straps in a day, by the way), each one of them independently said that "the feeling itself of the strap is luxurious". The term "tangible quality" is quite hard to describe... I mean, I could lure you with sweet copywriting language, but the truth will always be the same – you can feel the real quality of the straps only when you touch them yourselves.

But what I can describe to you is why each Morellato strap is unique. So, why are they unique? It's because they are entirely hand-made, from cutting the leather to stitching (which is not possible with the most affordable straps, of course).

Each step of making a strap demands a lot of skills and the ability of fine craft. And, of course, also the process of choosing the leather, fabrics, and other, often very innovative materials, is meticulously carried out.

When it comes to the section of leather straps, Morellato chooses only first-rate materials, be it the most quality skin of exotic reptiles, or leather made in Italy (mostly in Tuscany, which is famous for having one of the best leather tanning traditions in the country).

Straps are stitched using the traditional saddle stitch.

Since quality has always been the top priority of the philosophy of the making process (Morellato was, after all, the first company in Europe to have its own laboratory!), testing and strict quality inspections or technical and aesthetic elements are what brings the company pride. As Morellato states itself, it is this strictness which is the "key to success of the company".

The laboratory overlooks each step of the making after these tests of materials. It also puts an emphasis on the straps being completely identical.

The edges of the straps are coloured individually.

The straps undergo intensive testing, which lasts 3 days. They are tested for their strength, friction resistance, resistance to sweat (using direct contact with synthetic sweat), resistance against UV radiation and water by submerging it. A part of a collection earns the label of being water-resistant.

Saving the best for the last. The price for this Morellato quality is never exorbitant. The price is usually around 20 €.

2. Story of working with watchmaking brands, inspiration, and tailored straps

It is no surprise that important watchmaking brands want to work with Morellato. Thanks to the cooperation, Morellato makes straps for brands such as IWC, Bulgari, Porsche Design, Fendi, or Panerai.

What many will find interesting is that Morellato offers also straps, which were partially inspired by renowned watchmaking brands and smart watch brands.

For lovers of the Breitling brand style we can find for exxample the characteristic stitched arched straps (Morellato Tipo Breitling). Apple fans will appreciate straps for Apple. For Garmin fitness enthusiasts, Morellato created the Byte straps with the quick release system. However, Morellato calls the fixed spring bars "easy click", and the majority of its collection uses this system. This is Morellato's way of trying to satisfy the customers since they can swap the strap easily at home.

The last interesting fact is that if your watch strap of any brand breaks – no matter the attachment, finish, or the most detailed of details – thanks to the high level of its craft, Morellato can reproduce basically anything. The same goes for custom-made straps – yes, they make a strap based on the requirements you set. I think that's pretty neat! Of course, the price is different then, but again, it won't cost you an arm and a leg.

A strap with uncommon attachment to the case.

3. Straps for everyone

Literally for everyone. Not everyone prides themselves on such range of colours, sizes, shapes, materials, patterns and lengths. And as the Morellato seat of the design and "style research" is in Milan, the European capital of fashion, all the straps are more than beautiful and stylish.

Do you like the timeless classic brown and black leather straps, stitched or not, more, or do you lean more towards the trend of minimalism and pastels?

Do you prefer silicone, textile, or ecological recyclated material? Straps made from material fished from the sea, made from apples, paper, or corn? With Morellato, you will most likely choose. And this is the cue for the last point:

4. Conscientious straps

I was pleasantly surprised when I learnt that the offer of straps made of various recycled materials, which I've mentioned, is wide. This promotes attempts to fight for thoughtfulness about the environment, and I think (hope) that this resonates not only with me.

Morellato also thinks about sustainability. Animals of the company live in good conditions, and Morellato also works with tanners who received safety statement concerned with these conditions. All rules for less of an impact on the environment and production process are being met. In addition, materials with lesser impact on the environment are being used (e. g. water-based glue).

When it comes to this point, the Save the Nature collection is especially important. It focuses on straps made from recycled textiles and leather.

"We give new life to materials that have arrived at the end of their life cycle, transforming them into more valuable products." – Morellato

The website also states that by using such materials, the usage of water is lowered by 94 %, usage of energies by 60 %, and emissions of CO₂ by 32 %. Cynics might say that it doesn't matter, that attempts like this to do something for our planet are unnoticeable, but as I say, even a drop makes the sea rise, and every conscious step of not only a big brand, but also an individual, is a step towards something better.

Long tradition, introducing the Story of Morellato

Long tradition are not just words that sell well because they sound good to our ears. No, the tradition is a symbol of the brand being able to defend its position on the market and that it knows what it's doing.

Italian Morellato has been on its seat on the market for around 90 years, and it's evident that their work is not finished yet, the opposite is true. When young Giulio Morellato in 1930 opened his own jewellery and watchmaking laboratories in Venice for the first time, he could only dream about having success like this.

He started began to specialise in watch straps a few years later. He quickly gained the leading position among watch lovers as he didn't wait long for Morellato to start producing its own straps for important Swiss manufacturers.

In the '60s, a close co-worker of Giulio Morellato, Silvano Carraro, took over the company, which he'd led for 20 years before he brought his two sons, Massimo and Marco, into the company. Massimo is still the CEO today, so Morellato could be labelled as a family business.

In 1990, Carraro brothers bought up the whole capital and added Italian jewellery and watch design and manufacturing to their watch straps business. With the growth of their family business, the company also grew thanks to the brother buying other, promising brands. And today, the Morellato Group is considered to be the biggest European jewellery- and watch-making group with its capital in Italy.

I believe that the key to Morellato's success is in its value in innovation, as well as determination to take new paths, on which we will meet our customer's needs with new, fresh ideas. – Massimo Carraro, loosely translated

If you are interested in what the production looks like and looked like, Morellato gave us this educational video: