Burgundy: The Season’s Rich New Neutral
Burgundy is everywhere this autumn. Here’s why watch retailers should take note.
Black. Brown. Tan.
When it comes to leather watch straps, there are certain colours customers return to time and again. But this autumn, there’s another shade worth bringing into the conversation.
Burgundy
Rich, sophisticated and surprisingly easy to wear, burgundy is one of the key colours for Autumn/Winter 2026 – and fashion is increasingly treating it less like a statement colour and more like a neutral.
For watch retailers, that makes it a trend worth knowing about.
Fashion’s New Neutral
Burgundy is certainly no stranger to autumn. But its continued prominence for 2026 shows that this is more than a short-lived seasonal trend.
Vogue includes burgundy among the key colour trends from the Autumn/Winter 2026 collections, while rich wine-inspired shades are appearing across clothing, bags, shoes and other accessories.
And the colour palette extends beyond burgundy itself.
Think merlot, oxblood, wine, Bordeaux and deep plum – a family of dark reds that bring warmth and depth without the impact of a brighter red.
It's particularly noticeable in accessories.
For Autumn 2026, Vogue highlights burgundy bags from fashion houses including Chanel, Balenciaga, Celine and Miu Miu, describing shades ranging from merlot to burnt cherry and oxblood. Burgundy bags are increasingly being positioned as an alternative to traditional black and brown.
Watch straps are a natural extension of the trend. Leather accessories have long been chosen to complement one another, from belts and shoes to bags and watch straps. As burgundy becomes an alternative to black and brown across fashion, it makes just as much sense on the wrist.
An Alternative to Black and Brown
For many customers choosing a replacement watch strap, black or brown will be the instinctive choice.
There is nothing wrong with that. They're classics for a reason.
But a strap change is also one of the simplest ways to give a familiar watch a different look – and burgundy provides an easy introduction to colour.
It's distinctive without being difficult to wear.
A deep burgundy leather can have much of the versatility of dark brown while bringing something warmer and more interesting to the watch. An oxblood shade can appear almost brown in some lights and reveal its red tones in others.
That’s perhaps why fashion has become so comfortable describing burgundy as a new neutral. It adds colour, but doesn’t necessarily feel colourful.
For a customer who wants something different but isn’t ready for bright blue, green or red, it can be an excellent middle ground. And for someone who automatically reaches for another brown or black strap, simply showing them a burgundy alternative could open up a choice they hadn’t considered.
Burgundy or Oxblood?
Burgundy, oxblood, wine and merlot are often used to describe similar deep-red shades, particularly when it comes to leather. But there are subtle differences.
Burgundy generally has more of a purple undertone, while oxblood leans towards brown. Merlot sits within the rich wine-red spectrum.
The material and finish can alter how these colours appear too. A smooth burgundy leather can look quite different from the same colour on a heavily grained or oiled leather.
That variation is part of the appeal. From cooler burgundies to warm, brown-toned oxbloods, there’s a surprisingly broad spectrum to explore.
A Colour That Works on the Wrist
Burgundy also translates particularly well to watch straps because it complements so many of the materials and colours already found in watches.
Against stainless steel, it provides a warmer contrast than black.
Paired with yellow gold, its rich red undertones create a classic combination.
With rose gold, the warmth of the two colours naturally works together.
And there are plenty of possibilities when it comes to the dial too. Burgundy can work beautifully alongside white, cream, champagne, silver, black and even blue dials.
Then there’s the customer's wardrobe.
Burgundy sits comfortably alongside many autumn staples – from navy, grey and denim to camel, cream and chocolate brown.
That versatility is exactly what makes it so useful as an accessory colour.
The Burgundy Edit
From genuine alligator and fine Italian leather to contemporary woven nylon, we’ve selected six very different ways to bring Autumn 2026’s richest colour to the wrist.
Morellato Volterra – Genuine Alligator
At the luxury end of the edit, the Morellato Volterra pairs rich burgundy with genuine Louisiana alligator.
Handcrafted from Italian leather, its natural scale pattern gives the colour additional depth and character, making it a sophisticated choice for a dress watch.
Premium Italian Stitch – Leather
For a cleaner, more contemporary interpretation, our Premium Italian Stitch strap is crafted from fine Italian leather with a smooth finish and neatly stitched edges.
Its sharp tapered profile and brushed stainless steel buckle create a refined, modern look – and show just how well a rich red can work on a sleek, understated strap.
Italian Pueblo Leather – Oxblood
At the warmer, browner end of the spectrum, our Italian Pueblo Leather strap demonstrates just how naturally oxblood works with beautifully crafted leather.
Made from oiled Pueblo leather produced by the esteemed Badalassi tannery using traditional Tuscan tanning techniques, the strap is finished with contrasting stitching that brings out the rich character of the leather.
Here, the quality of the material is every bit as important as the colour.
Cartier Tank Solo Compatible – Burgundy
Burgundy can be particularly effective when refreshing a classic dress watch.
Handmade with a square-embossed alligator grain, this strap is designed to fit Cartier Tank Solo watches and the original Cartier double-fold clasp.
Available in five popular sizes, it offers a rich alternative to traditional black or brown while retaining the elegant character of the watch.
SHOP CARTIER TANK SOLO COMPATIBLE STRAP →
Premium Deployant Nylon Woven – Merlot
Burgundy doesn’t have to mean leather.
For a sportier interpretation, our Premium Deployant Nylon Woven strap combines a rich merlot shade with a contrasting cream centre stripe.
The military-inspired woven construction, reinforced adjustment holes and deployant clasp give it a robust, contemporary character. It’s a great example of how this autumn colour can work just as well on an everyday or sports watch.
SHOP PREMIUM DEPLOYANT NYLON →
Economy Padded – Oxblood Red
And finally, proof that embracing this season’s colour doesn’t have to mean moving up a price point.
Our Economy Padded strap has a deep, oxblood tone with a classic smooth and stitched finish. Combining leather and synthetic materials for an affordable everyday option, it’s available in an exceptionally broad selection of widths from 8mm to 30mm.
That makes it an easy way to introduce customers to a richer alternative to everyday black or brown – whatever their budget.
A New Way to Look at a Classic Colour
Burgundy isn’t a new watch strap colour. Nor is it a new autumn colour.
What’s interesting for Autumn/Winter 2026 is the way it’s being worn: not simply as a statement colour, but as a sophisticated, versatile alternative to traditional neutrals.
For watch retailers, that makes it a particularly easy trend to embrace. From genuine alligator and fine Italian leather to everyday straps and contemporary woven styles, burgundy – and its close cousins oxblood, wine and merlot – can work across different watches, styles and price points.
And for customers who might instinctively choose another black or brown strap, this autumn could be the perfect time to show them something a little different.
Burgundy might just become their new neutral.