The new Aquatimer Automatic retains the quick release bracelet system from the last Aquatimer version, but this time with a great twist. When you remove the bracelet, you find strap bars. Now I'm switching back and forth from bracelet to NATO. Thanks for the cool feature, IWC.
Hello Robert
Congratulations on your Aquatimer. I was amazed at how easy it is to change straps on the new Aquatimer line and also was happy to see the spring bar when I first saw them at SIHH. It does open up strap possibilities not available to the Aquatimer line over several generations. It looks great!
Robert, that strap looks great on the new Aquatimer. I am looking forward to seeing the new models in person.
Cheers!
Jeff
It seems like one of the cases where the strap changes the watch...I think it looks good...please show more photos..
cheers,
yitzhak
I wonder how a croco strap could be fixed onto the fixed bars. Just for some rare suit occasions...
I have one strap that clips into a fixed spring bar - a simple form of quick change. That would work great with this watch. I'll see if it fits.
What make is that strap? Wish it was a mat black croco strap... I'd be happy to see pictures.
Great piece. Congrats
Please can someone tell me whether the strap bars are "fixed" or are they spring bars that will allow conventional style straps to be fitted. I have fitted "toshi" straps to my Rolex & Panerai , and have previously been put off buying an Aquatimer because of the strap fixings.
I've had bad experiences in the past with "in house" fixing systems on Cartier's & Ebel's ...... If they are springbars, then i'll be off to buy one ASAP .....
I'm also a proud owner of this Aquatimer and I would like to address your concern that the strap bars on this beauty are fixed. They are not conventional spring bars that can be remove by conventional tools. Hence, only 3rd party NATO or ZULU straps can be used, not conventional straps that require the removal of the spring bars.
A few leather straps are "open", with flaps that either glue down or have screws, and those also can be used. Hard to find them, though, especially in this size.
I was hoping the spring bars could be removed just like a normal one does.
If you check the Toshi website, you will find at least one Toshi strap on a new Aquatimer... I wondered how they did it.
Here is my Aquatimer with a custom made leather ZULU strap on. I have both the original rubber strap and the metal bracelet, and the watch certainly looks its best in them. However, the reason I have this leather ZULU strap on, is because my wrist profile is rather flat, and a NATO/ZULU strap seems to fit my wrist better. Although, the original rubber strap is soft and pliable, the rounded shape of the strap when fasten makes the watch rolls around my flat wrist quite a bit. The bracelet fits a bit better, but it makes the entire watch quite heavy (over 200 grams) for an all-day wear.
The regular nylon NATO strap is too slippery for this rather heavy case, hence this leather ZULU strap answers all my needs. One thing to keep in mind when switching to a NATO/ZULU strap though is that, it exposes the area between the lugs, which makes the watch look somewhat unrefined compared to the rest of the case. You could say that it ruins the elegant look of this well finished watch, but it does give the watch a tougher, more military look. Whether this is a good thing, it's a matter of taste.
PS: If I may say, the custom made strap was ordered from yellowdogwatchstraps.com
Hi Michael,
Would you have a picture at hand of such type of strap or is there an 'formal' name for such a strap? Or do you have any idea where possibly one should look to get these? I would definitely like to try one on my Aquatimer.
I am currently living in Sao Paulo, but frequently in Europe and I will be moving to Switzerland in a few months time... so any place you know is fine.
Thank you
Dirk
Dirk --just Google open-ended watch straps --you'll find several. Hirsch makes some using adhesive, while others use prongs or little screws.
Great! Thank you Michael
Dirk