Big Pilot strap change, simple! >>>>

The black alligator is a nice strap but I can't

help but think this watch is too massive, distinctive and iconic to be anything but casual. I still dig my OEM buffalo, it's darkened nicely and broken in and it smells like my cigars. Perfect. I always love your photo essays Nad! :>)

[](s316.photobucket.com/albums/mm322/smogell/IWC%205002T/?action=view¤t=IWC5002T009.jpg)

Me prefers the brown buffalo Nad, sorry >

Cheers from Isobars.

I need to get an OEM Brown Buffalo nt

nt

PS. the 'old school' ones are difficult to find >>

....and, I'm not too crazy about the new version.

The texture of the leather is different, so the search continued!

I like the Brown..........

.......but the Black is the Beauty.......IMO

Happy Saint Valentines Day to you Nad.

Best,

Joe

Casual Black calf strap on a 5002..

On occasion I do like the 5002 on a black strap as it feels more modern. I always come back to the original brown buffalo strap. It just seems to fit this massive watch. Love the photos Nad.
Jeff

More photos

Very Nice !!..I like the Black Stitching....nt.

Face it Nad, you got this strap changing...

disease from Panerai . LOL!

I went a step further..

as I have a small wrist. The original strap was too unflexible for my wrist, therefore I replaced it by a Portuguese strap. Some of you might argue that a rather elehgant strap for a dress watch does not fit to a BP, but I like the mixture.
Urs

OK, yes I admit I am a strapaholic!!!!! >>>>

This is fantastic!

Are these straps all originals, or are some of them custom made? Do you change often in an attempt to experiment?

Those boxes are interesting too, as they seem to have climate control or so. Were they maybe meant for cigars?

Kind regards,
Paul, wearing VC Portuguese

Paul, I change straps on my watches >>>>

....almost daily.

It's a Panerai thing and strap change gives a watch a new look every time, from a distress vintage ammo strap to a Black Gator, they all work!!!!

I am using humidor boxes to store my straps. I have two bigger humidors that fit all my cigars and these remained empty until I realized thatey would make great strap boxes!!!!

Just great how you can change the look >

with the strap. I like them both!

Those are simply wonderful pics...

I knew you had some "extra" straps but this is just amazing. I have about 10 straps so I need to learn more from the master! :o)

consider also the fabric strap....

from the Top Gun model (and a few others like the DFB) It has a "nylon" look which makes the watch sportier, but also it is more flexible which might meet your goals.

I think the Portuguese strap may be a shade dressy for this watch, but that's just my opinion.

Regards,
Michael

A very NAD Post thank you (nt)

Thanks for the report Nad.

did you find removing the old strap hard?

I am going to swap my BP style strap from a brown buffalo to a black buffalo soon. I am worried because the strap is so thick that it may be difficult to compress it enough to expose the springbar. Did you use any tools to compress the strap closest the lugs? I have received suggestions to use a small vise to help compress the thick strap.

Your input is greatly appreciated.

Hi Urs! Normally, I would say you are correct >

that an elegant Portiguese strap does not belong on a flieger. In this case where the watch is WG, I think you are fine. Though I am not sure how much I would enjoy the sheen of Ardoise on a flieger.

Enjoy!

Best from Isobars.

I just use a little pressure >>>>

....with my fingers to compress the strap at the lug end, just enough to slip the 'forked' spring-bar tool and remover the strap.

Easy-peasy ;-)))

Dear Nad, if you continue posting...

BP photos I will end with one of this. Both straps looks great on the BP! Is so beautiful.

Great looking watch. But than a BP has...

no bad angles. Straps look great too.

That strap looks good on my Top Gun

[](photobucket.com)