Some advice please on a strap for a steel Portofino hand wind.

I have just ordered a Portofino 8 Day hand wind, steel with a white dial model IW510103. The watch comes as you know with a stunning Santoni strap. I have personal reasons but I have decided that I do not want to wear the watch at first with the OE strap so I plan on buying a middle of the road quality strap suitable for every day use.
I would appreciate some advice on what sort of strap people feel would look acceptable for the watch. I could play safe and go with either a Black or Honey brown but I also like the look of the Hirsch Grand Duke in matt Black with red stitching. The watch has a red “60” on the hacking second and a Red Bar on the “0 – 2” on the Power Reserve display. The question is would the red stitching just look overpowering on the watch?
Any advice on what experienced wearers feel would look acceptable would be appreciated.
Many Thanks

I would suggest you enjoy the stunning Santoni strap it comes with. They are replaceable and anything else is likely to be a compromise.

Michael, I agree that the OE strap would be best and as you say anything else will be a compromise. Unfortunately as I said I need to use a standard strap at first so hence the post to see what would be acceptable on the watch.

I would avoid a strap with red stitching. I tried that once, and rather than coordinate,it distracts. It makes a classy watch too sporty, in my opinion.

WERLYNNE,

Well, no doubt the consensus is Santoni all the way...all the time. I would agree it is definetly the best for that model. Now you could go with the "Light" Brown Santoni to keep the richness and utilize the OE Dark Brown for later. However, for whatever the reason you need something else, yes as you said you could stay safe and go Black or Honey Brown but IMHO the black is a bit to stark with the Silver dial and the Honey...well, you might as well just go with the Light Santoni in that case.

But if you enjoy being alittle "out of the box" like me, an alternative to the Black would be the Dark Navy Blue Croc which is a nice contrasting color with the SS case/Silver dial/RG Markers and accents of red. Try it out at your AD or Boutique. I think you will be pleasently surprised how well the combination works.

Show us a pic of how things turn out. Always fun to see the end result.

Best,

Andy

Do you care to share your personal reasons? I have the exact same watch, am wearing it now, and cannot think of any reasons as to why not wear it with the Santoni strap it comes with, as it looks so nice. Maybe by knowing your reasons it is easier to give you a to the point advice.

Kind regards,
Paul

I am amazed you want to take a brilliant strap off a decent watch and stick something else on. If you are going to get down and dirty with something then choose a cheap watch to get down and dirty with, rather than degrade a great watch and strap combo. A great many of us wish those Santoni straps were available in other widths to fit other models rather than just 22mm lugs.

I did not really want to say why I want to replace the strap but as a couple of you have asked I will tell you. I am in the UK and in general people are having a tough time. I have a business and my people are not getting wage rises and times are quite difficult. I feel that if I "dress down" the watch people wont think it is an expensive watch, remember that most people do not know what an IWC is. You may think I am stupid, you may think idiotic, but I will still get great pleasure out of the watch and I will feel more comfortable about wearing it with it looking plainer.
I do not know if anyone will understand my logic but that is how I feel.

Most people won't notice your watch, unless it has a rose gold case. Nobody will know a Santoni strap, unless they are into IWC. Most people don't bother about a watch. I guess it is more in your head than anything else. As the watch is thus a treat to yourself, I would buy the Santoni strap.

Kind regards,
Paul

I understand your reason but a steel Portofino 8 day with Santoni is dare I say it, anonymous in comparison to a Rolex or Omega. Just wear the Portofino under long sleeve shirts and it's occasional sighting by others will not say the Boss is grabbing the profits for a new watch. If anyone asks Is that a new watch, just stretch the truth and say it was your weekend watch that you have reclassified to include office use! Save yourself the bother and expense of getting a new strap. Only watch nuts know how long they have been around. By the way leave the Portuguese Grand Complication at home until you can afford to increase salaries of the workforce or are able to offer overtime or hire more staff.
The only boss I remember for his watch was a 6ft 6ins guy with a voice that was almost subsonic who wore a Ladies Rolex datejust in steel. He loathed large watches!