Hi everyone
I am ready to purchase a leather strap for my 3878 but am torn between the pin buckle and the deployment clasp. I like the latter but the cost difference is huge!
Pin around $140
Deployment around $520
Can anyone opine on this? Is the cost difference worth it?
Thanks
Other than the cost it is a matter of taste and tradition. The benefit of a deployant is that it is harder for the watch to fall off your wrist when you take it off or put it on. Some find certain deployant straps to be uncomfortable. Get the one that is most confortable and within your budget.
I personally prefer the deployant clasp, all other things being equal. It is easier to put the watch on and take it off, and also there is less wear to the strap (no need to bend the leather to fit the prong in the hole).
On very traditional watches I like the more traditional pin buckles. But to me the 3878 is a modern design and a deployant fits fine.
I share both Alan's and Michael's opinion - my older pieces also happen to be hand-wound, so I prefer a pin buckle for easy access to viewing the movement as I wind it. they are also lighter, and have less tendency to slip off (as compared to heavier modern pieces)
I should be the last to be heard, since to me, the deployant is something born to make complicated something that's simple :)
To come to the point, whatever your theoric preference, I wouldn't put the deployant on a pilot's watch, that's too far from tradition*.
The new deployant is very nice, still a piece of steel though; for the reason above and for its price, I wouldn't do it.
*Sometimes it's fun to deviate from orthodoxy :)
Thanks for your views. I tend to gravitate towards the deployment clasp but having the 'thing' costs more than the alligator strap itself sounds wrong!
I have the next 12-18 hours to ponder over it.
Go with the deployment. I've only got two watches with such a buckle, and find them very secure and comfortable.
Kmlin1981, a few collectors in your (and my) native city may be able to assist with your concerns - drop me an email if u wish.
Just to be clear... It is a DEPLOYANT not a deployment clasp.
'Deployant': sounds like one for the FAQ
I consider a deployant clasp primarily a cost saving device, with additional benefits in safety, scratch prevention and ease of use of the watch. In my collection, all my watches with leather straps (except my Panerai) have deployant clasps on.
Leather straps (IWC or aftermarket) are not exactly cheap. Deployant clasp will significantly prolong the life of the strap. After a couple of strap replacements, you have essentially spent the same amount of money as you would on a deployant.
The only times when I see a deployant clasp is not necessary is strap is made of rubber, or strap is so thick (common on Panerai watches), a deployant clasp would not work.
Also, changing strap adds risks / opportunities to scratch your watch when the spring bars are being removed and reinstalled. With less frequent strap change, a deployant clasp will help prevent that too.
Blue
Thanks for the offer Shing. Do you mean finding a good deal or helping me to make up my mind?
Alan, got it. I keyed in deployant and got a spell check error! Thought it is bad English. :)
I have one deployant clasp, on my Portuguese Perpetual Calendar, that sits reasonably well on the wrist. I guess this being quite a heavy watch, this is the only option. All my other leather straps have a pin buckle, which is light, sits wonderful and looks nicer too. Instead of bending the strap when puting it on or taking it off, I pull the strap a bit, hoping it doesn't stretch too much (it doesn't) but rather momentarily goes very tight on the wrist. My wrist doesn't bother, and my straps still look quite nice. On the 3878, I wouldn't quite know, is it heavy? If at all, I would go myself for the bracelet although it looks so nice on the strap: but I would like to have another good bracelet watch, and this bracelet seems to be super with the micro adjustment feature.
Kind regards,
Paul
One more comment. For vintage watches authenticity requires, IMO, a pin buckle (actually I think they are called tang buckles). To have a Mark 11, for example, with a deployant clasp would be a crime.
For vintage look-a-like watches, like Portuguese Pure Classics or Vintage Collection Portofinos, the simulation of authenticity likewise commands a pin buckle.
For others, it's personal preference. I like deployants on modern watches that don't have rubber straps.
Safety alone is reason enough for me to prefer the deployants. They don't come cheap but are worth their money.
Kind regards,
Clemens
That is true, vintage and classic watches look better with a tang buckle. The new Spitfire chrono is pretty modern looking and for the sake of safety and longevity of the strap, I think I will go for the deployant.
Sunflower, 3878 is pretty heavy. Didn't really weigh it but it feels heavy and solid.
Sunflower,
The last comment regarding the 3568 being heavy, I second it. Tried it on the other week and was surprised how heavy it felt compared to my 3717. True it's a tsd smaller, but man, those applied markers on the Spitfire must be real heavyweights.
Just picked up my first IWC with a deployant. Never wore one before and am still getting the hang of putting on taking off. Being left handed with smaller wrists adds to the overall deployant experience ( so use to a Tang ). Besides the feeling of a rigid folding clasp and pulling up just right on buckle to release, I can now see why safety from dropping your watch is discussed often and I agree, one of the positives. Wear and tear on the strap as mentioned will also be a big plus.
Best,
Andy
Well, deployant is just a fancy French word for folding clasp ... no?
D.
And deployment is an ordinary French word for the distribution of forces in preparation for battle or work......often confused with the fancy French word for folding clasp.
KMLIN1981, If it bothers you to buy an original deployant buckle, you can always get a aftermarket deployant buckle for less than S$30. Send Shing an email and I am sure someone will help you out...:-)
Nice riposte, which made me smile.
I entirely agree that the deployment of troops should not be confused with the folding of clasps.
IMHO a "deployant" clasp in only essential in some metal bracelets. In straps is, as Roberto said, making complicated a simple thing.
Why use a simple proven design when a more complicated, more expensive one (with more moving parts and using more material) works almost as well? Another case of design by excessive design.:-)
Overall, I've come to prefer the tang buckle. The deployant has some real world advantages already discussed. But on some watches it add notable bulk, and feels awkward and less comfortable. Currently my watches on straps are roughly equally divided between tang buckles and deployants. Those on deployants have proven to work best for me that way, as have those with tang buckles.
Deployment - Deployent - Tom8o - Tomaaahto
Just to reiterate what others have said -
Whilst the clasp has a higher up front cost I think they work out to be cheaper in the long run for a number of reasons. 1 is that there is definitely less chance of dropping your watch whilst putting on and taking off (or could one say, deploying the watch ? :) )
The other factor is that you do seem to get a fair bit better life out of your straps with the clasp V a tang and buckle. On my 3799, the textile strap deteriorated very quickly with the tang and buckle - not just from the bending as you go over the buckle but from fretting whilst wearing the watch where the strap touches the buckle whereas with the clasp your strap tends to be in a pretty static position leading to much longer strap life.
For some the clasp is more comfortable but for others they struggle to find the right strap combination to make the clasp comfortable - it seems more so people with smaller wrists struggle to get a comfortable fit.
If you are going to keep the watch for a long time and find the clasp comfortable then I would say go for it as it will work out cheaper and give you peace of mind in the long run. As others have said, if it was a more traditional timepiece then stick with the tang / buckle - I would never dream of changing the tang / buckle on my MK XI or 666AD - that said if I could find a good Bonklip or NATO strap I would change the MK XI...
Cheers,
Ben