Hi,
This is my first post and I need some assistance please. I just purchased a IW371417 Portuguese Chrono for my husband. I am going to surprise him on his birthday in 2 weeks.
I am considering getting him the deployant buckle as well but I would like to know about the pros and cons on this. My husband has a medium sized wrist. Should I get it for him now? Also, how much does the buckle go for? My jeweler told me it is around US$375. Let me know please.
Thanks.
I highly recommend it
Welcome to the forum and your husband is a lucky man!
I've had a Portugese with a deployment buckle (my first) for a week now. It is easy to put on and a little tough to take off, but I think that is a good thing as I know it won't unbuckle when I don't want it to.
I also think it adds security as I will be less prone to drop the watch when putting it on (there is no loose end). I don't know how much it costs, but I think it is well worth having it.
I also recommend the deployant...
What a great gift. Very nice.
I find it much easier to put on and remove my watches that are equipped with deployants. In fact, there have been some close calls with nearly dropping my Big Ingenieur Chrono which has just a buckle strap.
I will likely get a deployant for it to solve the problem.
The price you mentioned seems very good for the deployant. He will certainly appreciate your effort to research, and add that feature!!! Best wishes.
Help on Deployant Buckle
I echo the other comments and would also add that the deployant buckle saves wear and tear on the strap, thereby making it last longer.
The only con is that some people find the deployant uncomfortable. I don't (and I've got a small wrist) - and remember that the deployment can be fitted two ways, so if the first way isn't comfortable then try the other way.
I can't comment on the price - I got mine second hand.
Regards,
HG.
A warm welcome to the Forum
I also recomend it and it would be great to see you around in the near future.
Argiris
Hi Juliana! I would definitelypurchase a deployant
bucklet for your husband's Portugieser. The deployant allows the watch to fit around the wrist in the most comfortable position (kind of like a snug bangle bracelet), helps prevent dropping the watch, and reduces wear on the strap.
Have fun giving the lovely gift.
--
Cheers from Isobars.
Another definite from my side....
and I hope that your husband will love the birthday gift.
Andrew
Order also a BD strap
Hello Juliana,
I also recommend to buy a deployant buckle. When you go for that option, I would also recommend you ask the AD to replace the standard strap with a XS BD strap (A strap specifically designed for deployant clasp), especially when you husband has a narrow wrist.
Urs
It works great...
It works great with the correct strap long… even in slender wrists!
1!!! this is important. Great advice Urs!
Depends ...
They are very convenient and I've got a couple that are very comfortable. However, I've also got a couple of watches that the deployant buckle doesn't seem to fit my wrist quite right and makes it uncomfortable to wear for any length of time. You might want to go to the AD and have him try it on before you make the purchase.
Get the right strap for it...
I had trouble with the deployant clasp for years. It was only in this forum I learn how to size it.
Make sure the the clasp will be located at the center of the watch case when worn/fitted.
Here's a pic (it's not an IWC watch..but just being helpful).
Thanks...keep the feedback coming
Hi everyone,
Thank you all for your valuable feedback. The pics help too. Sorry, I am new to IWC so I have further questions on some of your feedback. If I get the deployant buckle, does that mean that I need to get a BD strap? Will the buckle fit the original strap which came with the watch? I would like to avoid spending additional funds on another strap at the moment.
Should I just wait, give my husband the watch in 2 weeks and then bring him to the store and try out the buckle?
I am excited about the watch and I know he will love it. He has been talking about getting this IWC for a few years now.
Juliana
Standard strap works with the deployant Juliana
If it were a Patek then we would need the proper strap.
--
Cheers from Isobars.
BD strap
Hello Juliana,
I do not recommend to use the standard strap with a deployment clasp. With a narrow wrist, the deployment clasp will not sit centered on the wrist (Hifi's picture above is showing the ideal situation). The deployment clasp will move to the side of the wrist, what is really uncomfortable. I usually ask the AD at the time of the order to have the watch delivered with the XS BD strap and the replacement is done without additional costs (The AD can use the standard strap as a replacement strap and sell it to another customer). I would hang on the phone and ask the AD whether the replacement is possible. The AD should be happy to do it as he will make more money by sellling you the deployment clasp.
Urs
BD strap
Depends on wrist shape. I've got a smallish wrist (6.75") and I wear IWC and JLC deployants very comfortably with the buckle/clasp centred on the back of the wrist (i.e. the clasp is 180 degrees opposite the watch face). Same goes for the 3536 bracelet deployant.. In all cases the folded deployant sits to one side of my wrist and closely follows the shape of my wrist. They are not uncomftable at all. I think it's because I've got flat wrists (if you understand me).
There's lots of discussions about deployant comfort on other boards with opinion probably coming down on the side of them being uncomfotable on smaller wrists. This is not my experience.
Not sure if any of this is helping you choose, Juliana, but good luck whatever you decide.
Regards,
HG.
Thanks HG, Urs and Hifi
HG - Thanks for all your detailed feedback.
Urs - I would have to stick to the regular strap as I have the watch shipped to me in Toronto from the AD in Montreal. I am planning of getting the deployant buckle from the AD in Toronto. I am going to take one of my husband's Tag Heuers in so that the AD in Toronto can measure the size of my husband's wrist and determine if the buckle would work on the IWC. I will then decide if I want to get him the buckle before his birthday, or go into the Toronto AD with my husband after I surprise him with the watch.
HiFi - thanks for the pic, it helps a ton.
Thanks again for everyone's feedback. I was very confused in the beginning but I have learned so much from everyone.
Last idea
Hello Juliana,
when you go with the standard strap and the deployment clasp, then I recommend to turn the strap by 180° which brings the clasp to the side of the wrist where the thumb is located. This was my solution when I wore a watch where no BD strap was available.
Urs
Last idea - Thanks Urs
Thanks for the tip Urs. I greatly appreciate it.