Mark XV leather strap

Several years ago I bought an used mark xv. I came with two buckle, the normal and the deployant but not with an originale leather strap. When I went to change the strap they told me that the buckles weren't the mark xv real buckes because the buckles' width was 18mm. Today I have found this discussion:
www.iwc.com/forum/en/discussion/3235/
and I have called an IWC dealer here in Florence. The keep saying that any mark xv has never had a 18 mm width buckle, they say mark xv has always had 16 mm width buckle.
There is someone that can help me? Eventually with a catalogue or paper that I can show to them?

thanks

Giovanni

Maybe, this helps ?!

3253 pilot's watch Mark XV 19 - 16 mm alligator dull brown IWA12701
3253 pilot's watch Mark XV 19 - 16 mm alligator dull black IWA12707
3253 pilot's watch Mark XV 19 - 16 mm buffalo brown IWA05613
3253 pilot's watch Mark XV 19 - 16 mm buffalo black IWA05510
3253 pilot's watch Mark XV 19 - 16 mm buffalo dull brown IWA12704
3253 pilot's watch Mark XV 19 - 16 mm buffalo dull black IWA12698
3253 pilot's watch Mark XV 19 - 18 mm buffalo black IWA05336

Yes thanks. From your information seems that with buffalo blak strap the mark XV could come with two different sizes: 19-18 mm or 19-16 mm.
Do you know what was/were the sizes with deployant clasp?

Hi Giovanni,
18mm buckles were only fitted for the first year or two, most MKXV's have 16mm buckles.
You can never be sure so you Must measure your buckle yourself before ordering your strap.
Leo

Thank you Leo, I have ordered two strap from a craftman here in Florence of size 19-18 mm.