What initials mean?

Ever since I first got my Mark XVII, there's not a day gone by that I haven't spent a good amount of time just looking at the watch. Anyway, curious me got to thinking what the stamped initials on the straps near the lugs mean? Based from different photos I have seen, and I may be wrong, they are all different even with watches of the same models. Tried searching but had no luck finding answers so far. Hope someone here can shed more light to this and help me appreciate my watch even more!

Hello,

I'm not sure if this is the correct answer but I believe I heard the initials identify who the supplier is as IWC contracts for it's strap requirements. They utilize a number of manufacturers.

Corrections please if this is not accurate.

Andy

Andy, I think you are correct. Someone on this Forum posted a chart which categorized all the straps but I can't seem to find where I saved it. Maybe someone else remembers.

I believe Shing posted some information on this subject.

For straps google IWC straps 2009 PDF. It's a list of straps available by colour width and length and it does state whether for pin or deployant buckle. Another source is the Weeber machine but that is getting out of date and certainly does not include Santoni variants. I find the Weeber machine does not work with iPads though. Wish the 2009 list was updated and likewise part of this site.
The 2009 PDF does not state whether curved or straight ends for the spring bars that I have noticed.

To go back to the original question, it's more than the supplier. All alligator straps are coded so they can be traced to the farm where the skin is from and even more specifically (I'm not sure if it's to the year, to a given group of animals, etc.). This is because of the stringent worldwide rules regarding exports/imports of endangered species.

This question pops up occasionally, and I believe there's more in the archives. But no codes ;)

Interesting. A detail maybe, but the code is stamped on the non-alligator part of the strap. Depending on the procedure followed this could mean anything or nothing.

Kind regards,
Paul

Can the straps be personalized? I would think the answer is yes, but curious what the cost and anybody here as managed to get a personalized strap? When I am logged in and looking at some photos under collections i have noticed at least two images showing up with a strap that is personalized as RAY, which means this is an option available. What is the cost in rough numbers?

LOL!

/Anders

Ray,

When you get a moment, please post those "personalized" strap photos. If the letters R A Y appear exactly in the location as the manufacturers ID and the letter font the same, I suspect it's a coincidence that your name is the same as one of the suppliers ID.

Unfortunately, I can never personalize anything using my "initials". Andy S. Stevens just doesn't bode well.

Andy,

Either this is just a pure coincidence as you say or a cruel joke, but attached is what I managed to grab off of the IWC website under Portofino collection. If this is available I'll pay the strap price + extra for the personalization.

Hi Ray,

Yah...saw it on the Portofino Collections/Back slide show. Looks like R A Y on both pieces of the strap, but it is just a coincidence. For what it's worth, I have a OEM Croc strap with the initials R A V and should the angle of the pic be distorted ( lighting and position can do that ) it might even be R A V we are looking at. But rest assure....NO cruel joke !

Any competent leather/belt tooler, after market strap maker, probably even a shoe repair shop can stamp your name/initials etc. on the strap liner. Might even check with a AD who utilizes custom strap makers. It might be an easy send off to do that simple work and you can tell them you want it in the same look as the IWC stamping if you prefer.

Let us know what you end up doing and how it looks if you choose to move forward.

Best,

Andy

Interesting post and it got me thinking so I looked - My 3717 Black croc strap says BOB. I guess the name of the unfortunate crocodile!