Frequently asked questions
Can’t find your answer? Write to us, we reply within 48 hours.
How long does it take to receive my strap?
Every strap is made to order and ships in about 3 weeks, then arrives within 2 to 5 working days depending on the shipping option.
How much is shipping?
Colissimo tracked at €8.50, free from €129 (2 to 4 working days), or DHL Express at €28 (1 to 2 working days), to France, Monaco and the EU countries we ship to.
Can I return a strap?
Yes, for collection straps: within 14 days of delivery, new, unworn and in its packaging. Bespoke straps made to your specifications cannot be returned or exchanged, except for defects. Details on our shipping and returns page.
Which width should I choose?
Your watch’s lug width, the inside gap between the two lugs. Our size guide shows how to measure it, and our by width pages list matching watches.
Which length should I choose?
It depends on your wrist size. Our straps come in four lengths (S, M, L, XL); the table in the size guide tells you which one. Bespoke straps can be ordered to the millimetre.
Will your straps fit my watch?
Our standard spring-bar straps fit the vast majority of watches. Specific or integrated fittings need a bespoke strap. See your brand’s page. Our straps are not official and have no affiliation with the watch brands mentioned.
Can I keep my original deployant clasp?
Yes. In the configurator, choose to reuse your original buckle and enter its inside width.
Are spring bars included?
Yes, every strap comes with its spring bars and a steel pin buckle.
Which widths do you offer?
16 to 24 mm for the collection, and 12 to 26 mm for bespoke straps.
How can I pay?
By card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, through our secure payment provider Stripe. We store no card data.
Can I see the strap on my watch before buying?
Yes: on most product pages, “Try it on my watch” creates a preview from a photo of your watch. The visual is for illustration only.
Are your exotic leathers legal?
Skins from protected species are imported with the required CITES documents. We detail the origin of each leather on our leather origin page.
How do I care for my strap?
Avoid water and heat, let it air-dry and, if you can, alternate with another strap. All our advice, leather by leather, is on the leather care page.
What is the difference between alligator, crocodile and caiman?
All three are crocodilians with similar scales, but of different value. Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis, farmed mainly in the United States) is the most sought after: supple skin, regular scales and a tightly regulated supply, which also makes it the most expensive. Crocodile (Nile crocodile, porosus…) generally costs 30 to 40% less for comparable quality, apart from a few exceptional skins. Caiman is the entry level: a stiffer skin with calcium deposits in the scales, up to three times cheaper than alligator. All of these species are regulated under CITES.
Are the photos contractually binding?
No. The photographs illustrating the products are not contractually binding. The products sold by Maison Alène are made to order, sometimes as one-of-a-kind pieces. Owing to the nature of their making, the customer acknowledges that slight variations or imperfections may appear on the product delivered.