IWC 3767 Aquatimer bands options.

Dear members
as per my previous post, I've recently been given this great watch by my wife to celebrate my 40th b'day.

I love this watch, specially the dial's design and the powerful lume , but there're a couple bad things that I dislike. The case and bezel finish is extremely delicate: despite all my care and attention, there are a couple swirls here and there.
The band itself is comfortable but the proprietary quick lock system -- which doesn't allow me to replace it with a generic strap/band -- is making me very unhappy.
How long will the genuine rubber band last before cracking or breaking? It doesn't look very durable. I've been wearing this watch for a couple months (no water/sport/diving, just my office desktop) and the rubber surface and edges show signs of wear.
So I am evaluating the idea to buy the genuine IWC velcro strap iwa36516 (I won't even say a word about its price), throw the velcro strap away and use the end link to attach a metal bracelet or leather band.

This guy is using a shark mesh bracelet.

What do you think about this idea? Have some of you already tried this? May you suggest bands or bracelets?

Thanks in advance.

W

Don't you worry about the rubber strap of the Aquatimer 2000 breaking. I have had mine for years, and put it through many abuses. It still remains strong. As long as you don't attempt to destroy it by deliberately cutting it or slicing it, I think it will last you many, many years.

The latest generation of Aquatimer comes with an improved bracelet-quick-change system. Even if the bracelet/rubber strap was removed, there are still spring'd pins in the lug, allowing you to put on other off-the-shelf straps of your choice (as long as the size fits).

I think this is a very nice looking sporty watch: nothing beats a good wristshot to show this.

I like your idea about the strap and bracelet. I guess the price of the velcro strap is due to the connection pieces, which probably are very well engineered to give a good fit and look. You might start with wearing the velcro strap, it might wear quite comfortably. I have a rubber lined sailcloth strap for my Blancpain Fifty Fathoms and Bathyscaphe, they wear quite well too. Your idea about a mesh bracelet is interesting, your picture of it makes it a viable option for me, as the watch can be seen as a tool watch, where anything goes that works in practice. But maybe you should try to find a mash bracelet of comparable quality of the watch, to make it look nicer.

Kind regards,
Paul

I would suggest you look at the bracelet that is intended for that watch first as it is really very nice. Beware that the velcro strap might be hard to modify as the end links are apparently very hard to dismantle (screws may be secured with an adhesive sealant such as Loctite). There may be some custom strap makers out there who do offer something designed to work with your watch.

Hi Ben. Thanks for you reply and your kind advice.
Actually the lovely genuine stainless steel bracelet is out of my budget -- no shame to admit that.
Thanks for the advice about the stifness of the end link screws :-)
Regarding the strap makers, none of the makers I have contacted is able to replicate the quick lock system.
Regards

Hi ABS
I hope you're right about the rubber band reliability and resistance. I have also evaluated the chance to buy a second rubber band and keep it a spare part in case IWC would stop to retail this part in the next 5-7 years (I'm planning to keep this watch as I love it and it's a gift).

The new generation of Aquatimer strap has a very smart feature :-)
Bad thig it is not "retrofittable" to my 2009 Aquatimer :-)

Thanks and regards

I bought the authentic IWC rubber strap with the new quick release. To my despair this popped out when I was swimming in the ocean and I lost the watch. I have fairly thin wrists which seems to allow the mechanism to ct even when the watch is securely fastened though I was assured by the retailer this would not happen. The reatailer would not help me and I am waitign for an IWC response.

I strongly recommend casrefully testign the release to ensure it wont pop off - try lightly hitting the watrch face head on - this is the action that caused my problem and made my swim very expensive and distressign as this was my 50th birthday present. Julian Skan

Did you own the previous series of Aquatimer (with external rotating bezel), or the current models?

When you put your strap on using the quick-change mechanism, did you hear a "click" sound? the strap is only locked and secured if you heard the "click" sound. If you didn't, the strap simply wasn't fastened by the joint.