2014 Aquatimer quick-change strap wobble?

I've just gotten my first IWC last week. It's the 2014 Aquatimer Automatic. I got both the bracelet and the rubber strap because I couldn't choose between the two. Although the new IWC "quick-change" system is convenient, I noticed that the connection between the strap/bracelet and the case isn't exactly rock solid. There are some small up-down movements after firmly connected. The wobbling of the strap/bracelet pivots around the lug pin, so it's most noticeable near the bezel which seems to be just shy of a millimeter. This movement is more pronounced on the rubber strap than the bracelet.

Since I've never worn an IWC with the quick-change system before, I wonder if this is normal? or the connection supposes to be rock solid without any movement at all?

Don't have info on the new one as I've seen only once in the flesh, but the previous series (ref. 3767 for the chronograph) has a rock-solid connection between the case and strap/bracelet. See one in the wild and you'll know immediately what I'm talking about.
Owners of the 2014 series are welcome to chime in, they can tell a lot more.
Best,
Robert

When it's new, make sure you press the bracelet firmly into the locking position. You will hear a distinct click when the connection is firmly engaged. It may be a bit stiff at first, but it will be easier to connect later on. Perhaps, if the connection is not fully engaged, it will be a bit unstable. Good luck.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I have tried attaching the strap several times and make sure they are in firmly each time, but the slight wobbling is always there. I’ve never get my hands on the previous version of the quick-change system, but the current version the locking system seems to attach itself to the case (not the lug nor the pin) by clamping on to the slot on the side of the case between the lug, and the flat bottom of the case.

If there are some owners of the 2014 Aquatimer, I would be very much interested to hear others’ experiences on the current quick-change system.

I have a 3290 and there is no wobble where the straps attach. I think someone posted a similar problem some time ago and included a video clip of it. If I remember correctly he took the watch to his AD and got a new strap.

Thomas

Thanks Thomas, that helps a lot.

If this is the post you are referring to,
www.iwc.com/forum/en/discussion/64673/
his is the previous version AT and his wobbling is quite significant compared to mine. Also his wobbling happens at the lug, while mine seems to pivoting around the lug pin and more noticeable near the bezel.

I live about 400 km from the nearest IWC AD, so I just want to be sure if this issue is something worth driving for. My wobble isn't a lot, but if the connection is meant to be rock solid, I guess I will have to pay an AD a visit for a check up.

IF I understand correctly the problem at the OP linked here was between the steel and rubber parts of the strap so might have been a manufacture failure of the strap, while I think you have mentioned something wobbling between the steel part of the strap and the watch case. I might be wrong on this though.

Phongsan,

Actually when forcing it with my watch taken off, there is a tiny bit of play but nothing that is noticeable while wearing the watch. It's difficult to compare to another watch with just words. I guess you have to make a judgment call whether it's worth taking to the AD. Maybe try first by giving them a call and see what they have to say. Probably they have other Aquatimers in the shop that they can check.

Thomas

When the watch is taken off, the strap has some small play, without much effort. When worn, the strap doesn’t really move, but when I press on the strap near the case bezel where the connection ends, the strap does move about a little less than a millimetre.

Does your strap move when worn and pressed near the case, Thomas?

I just tried it when worn and yes there is a little bit of flex when I press at the top of the strap.

Thomas

Hi Phongsan,

I have the 2014 Jacques Cousteau AT ref 3768 and there is absolutely no wobble at the lugs around the pin, it is rock solid.

I'm not sure if a little play as you describe actually compromises the integrity and safety of the attachment. If it worries you then you might need to bite the bullet and send it back to the AD.

Regards

Peter

Humm... thanks for the comments. At first I thought this is just a minor thing, but since Peter mentioned it might compromise the integrity of the connection, I think I should take the watch to an AD in town to have a look. It's a bit disappointed though that this questionable issue happens to a brand new watch from a hi-end brand like IWC.

Phongsan, do not pre-judge plz, wait until the AD tells ya if it is perfect or not. Anyway, I hope that they'll come to the best solution.

Hi all,

I visited an AD yesterday to have them look at my watch as well as to compare with other Aquatimers in the boutique. It turned out that the other AT 3290 with rubber strap also wobble a bit around the pin, perhaps more than mine does. So they told me that mine is perfectly normal. But when compared with the previous generation AT, the rubber strap attached more solidly to the case. To me, this seems contradict to many reviews I have read that the current quick-change system is a "vast" improvement from the previous generation.

Maybe it's just me, but I still feel like IWC could have done a little better job in giving their sport watches a little more solid consistent feel.