Watch bands that age gracefully?

I've been wearing my watch for a little under a year, and the glossy upper layer on the OEM leather straps is starting to wear off in a way that I'm not very fond of.

This made me wonder: Is it always going downhill — at different rates depending on quality and material — or do some straps get prettier as they age? Do you have a story or photo of a well-worn strap whose changes in look and feel you continue to enjoy over time?