I have decided to bye myself a nice Christmas gift: The Aquatimer Automatic, edition “Expedition Jacque-Yves Costeau" (ref. 3290) with the beautiful blue dial.
But I not sure wether to choose the original black rubber strap or the stainless steel bracelet from the 329002. I think that the steel bracelet is looking a bit more elegant, and I guess it would last longer than the rubber strap.
What would you guys prefer, and advice me to chose?
Regards
Tom
Why limiting yourself to just either option?
My recommendation is to get the one with the metal bracelet, and then buy the rubber strap + pin bucket separately. There is a reason why the Aquatimer comes equipped with a bracelet-quick-change system.
I have to agree with Kelvin, it is definitely nice to be able to easily switch between the two and the bracelet is very nice. I believe that the Cousteau comes standard on a strap, so a bracelet likely would be an add-on.
Hi Tom, great gift and fabulous watch!
I owned the previous version of the AT family and kept it on the rubber strap, mainly because I felt that the steel bracelet made the watch rather heavy. Having said that: IWC makes the best bracelets out there, so you will never regret it (and it's nice to completely change the looks of a watch too!).
Kind regards,
Bob
Mines on the rubber strap... I just prefer the look over the bracelet.
I wish they would release some coloured straps... A yellow and a green for me please!
I have both straps for my AT2000. Although I am not a diver, I am told that if you are, you should avoid a shiny object, SS bracelet, while diving. It attracts unwanted guests. If do some snorkeling and I wear the Rubber strap when in the water. I wear the SS bracelet when on land. I love them both.
On land
Ready for in the water:
My Galapagos AT is only on a rubber strap. Love it that way. It would look strange on shiny steel bracelet.
Agree on the best bracelet (and rubber strap) except for two important things: the Aquatimer bracelets still miss the wonderful IWC micro adjust system (that is available for e. g. the Pilot line) and the Aquatimer rubber straps still miss the folding clasp option that is available e. g. for the Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph. Two features that comes normally in this price range - or even below.
While I would LOVE to see an Aquatimer bracelet with micro-adjustable system and/or a rubber strap with yacht Club's clasp, I think Aquatimer is really decided with divers in mind. Any accidental moves risking the bracelet or strap to be loosen while diving may cause the watch to sink to the bottom of the sea.
I think, therefore, not having either of those actually makes better sense for the Aquatimer.
While respecting your opinion I beg to disagree because of a handful of reasons, each standing also on their own: first is that a small minority use nowadays (mechanical) diver's watches, the least with mechanical chronographs for diving and if so, only for a back-up watch. Second is that neither the micro-adjust feature nor the folding clasp make the Aquatimers more susceptible for falling apart and thus sinking to the bottom of the sea, the least at IWC with their superb manufacturing quality. Third is that if someone really wants to dive with these equipments the best choice is still the Velcro strap which can be used for both the 3767 and the 3768 (I myself have these for my 3767), the quick strap change feature is the perfect way to do so. Fourth is that several trusted competing brands (I think naming a few of them is not allowed by CF rules) do have both micro adjust clasp features and rubber straps with folding clasps for their diver watches so according to them there is no need to worry about this either. Last: having these options IWC does not have to drop existing versions of clasps and buckles, so if e. g. someone would choose pin buckle for the rubber strap, the light is still green.
I hope I could even convince you with all these... :)
Best,
Robert
Well you certainly have convinced me Roberto;)
haha, no need to convince me.
Trust me, I was an advocate for the micro-adjustment equipped bracelet for a long, long time. If you do a search against this forum, chances are you may find me mentioning it a few times. :)
Anyway, I am not stating it as my preference. I was just explaining that was perhaps why IWC has yet to introduce it.
I tell you, I don't dive. Believe me, I am all for those micro-adjustable bracelets and folding-clasp rubber straps.
Thanks :)
Buy the watch on the bracelet (quality is outstanding and comfort a given), then add the rubber strap as suggested by Kevin and others above and have the best of both worlds.
Thanks a lot for your replies. I will do that :-)
Cheers
Tom
Hi there! Is it possible th use these new AT with some leather bracelets? I never saw one... Thanks.
Get them all is my advice (!)