Caught In The Middle

Forum Friends:

I'll try this post again. I think my last one got deleted as part of the cleanup. Michael...great job of getting the forum back in order so quickly. Kudo's for all your hard work !!!

So... I've been wearing my most recent acquistion, an AT-3568 on strap 3-4 days a week for about 2 months now. I purchased it with a XS strap because of my smaller wrist.

The pin in the buckle hits "Dead Center" right now, but I found that it is a bit to tight for comfort. If I move to the next hole, it is a bit to loose and with the weight of this watch, it becomes "Top Heavy" and it tends to not stay seated on my wrist properly. If only there was a hole in between. As the subject says,"Caught in the Middle".

My AD explained that after some wrist time, a rubber strap will "mold" to you better, plus, it will stretch a little and should give you that extra bit of room you desire. He also suggested that you can "mix" a XS and STANDARD strap which will give a different hole pattern for a new fit option. I know some might say "Try a Bracelet" for a more custom fit, but I really do like the strap look on this model as well as not adding even more weight overall.

My questions to you all....Has anyone tried mixing strap lengths in rubber or leather and did it provide the relief you needed?
Did you also find that your RUBBER strap stretched/gave somewhat after time and how long does it take?

Any feedback or other suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Andy

I've had a rubber strap in the past and it didn't stretch at all, even after a year; I don't think that you'd expect it to be honest. However my new IWC has a leather strap, and while at first I was 'caught in the middle' between which hole to go for, I lumped for the tigther in the belief that it would loosen slightly and mould to my wrist. Sure enough after just 1 week of wearing, it now fits like a dream!

I know that many people like a rubber strap. But I have to say that I've never found them to be comfortable. They seem to abrade my wrist.

I have to say that I haven't tried a rubber strap in quite a few years, and the only rubber straps I've tried have been on fairly lower end watches. Higher quality and newer materials might make a difference.

hi Andy,

I have two rubber straps - Portuguese Yacht Club and Titanium Ingenieur. The latter is more comfortable than then former - but still good.

My personal experience is that they don't expand noticeably (to me anyway). I think conventional wisdom says our wrist may expand or shrink according to the change of seasons, but for me its only been a slight, if at all, change that is solved by moving the watch a little further up or down the wrist.

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like the "bit" of stretching is wishful thinking at this point. Was hoping someone tried the "mixing" of straps and was able to report results.

In the meantime, I'll use my AT as an exercise weight to try and add some girth to my wrist!

Merry Xmas to all...

Andy

I do have sympathy for you. My wish and I have given it some thought for a solution for pin buckle or deployment that can be adjusted whether by half a hole distance or one and a half hole distance, if the mechanics do not allow the half hole adjustment. My wish comes about because of the difference between the heat of summer and the cold of winter seem to alter my wrist size. The same applies for my wife's JLC bracelet which is not easily adjustable.
Whether mixing strap sizes provides an answer I do not know. Simple question that someone with access to IWC straps can take less than five minutes to check providing they understand the question which might get misunderstood in translation.

I hear you Greg! Yes, if someone out there has access to two different length straps that would be great. Unfortunately I only have XS straps. After the holiday rush is over, I'll head to my AD for a live demonstration. If "mixing" turns out to be beneficial, I will report back to the forum so others can consider if they too find themselves "Caught in the Middle".

Holiday Cheers to All,

Andy

As an alternative, although certainly imperfect, I've seen people who have put small spacers (like those little felt stickies) either on the back of their watch or on the back of the strap near the lugs. This takes up a small amount of slack and downsizes slightly a somewhat large strap.