5 Discussions and CommentsMember since Feb. 27, 2011
Dear IWC community,
I own an IW3701 Porsche Design Chronograph with a black Delrin band, which I would like to replace since the original one seems to have bleached or oxidated on the outside (see photos #1 and #2)
but not on the inside (see photo #3)
I am able to scrape off most of the white coating, although the regained darker colour of the band will not match the jet black casing.
Please let me know whether you know if, and if yes where, I can find a replacement band or about any care taking instructions I might follow to regain the jet black colour of the band.
There may be a few in Schaffhausen, but given their scarcity only available for use with a full overhaul and renovation. I would suggest having a dealer check with after sales service. Also Superior Watch in Brooklyn, New York, is an authorized repair centre and specializes in Porsche Design; consider contacting them.
654 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 22, 2001
Michael Friedberg Wrote:There may be a few in Schaffhausen, but given their scarcity only available for use with a full overhaul and renovation. I would suggest having a dealer check with after sales service. Also Superior Watch in Brooklyn, New York, is an authorized repair centre and specializes in Porsche Design; consider contacting them.
I noticed with appreciation you mentioned my company name within this discussion.
I'm delighted to add some interesting information for readers of our forum. A number of years ago we came up with our own remedy of restoring the black color of the delrin bracelets made for the Porsche Design by IWC ref. 3701 as shown in this thread.
It began when I received an inquiry from a friendly customer who called to say that she would like to completely restore her husband's PD timepiece (ref. 3701) for his 60th birthday because he's so fondly attached to it. Upon receipt of the watch at our service center I pondered what to do about his discolored bracelet and tried different approaches to no avail. In a last ditch effort I made a serious research of the delrin material and available solutions that might work. I called upon several non-watch related manufacturers and explained my quest until I found one company chemist who was willing to share some ideas with me.
Step 2 was to take the ideas and put them to practice. Rather than running the risk of possibly further damaging our customer's discolored bracelet I experimented with some old discolored links we had in stock. Much to my surprise the results were so inspiring that we went ahead and restored the black color on our customer's bracelet at no extra charge. I'm pleased to say that when the customer received his watch back he was overjoyed with his rejuvenated timepiece.
I informed the IWC factory about my solution to the problem and they were both impressed and pleased of our efforts to offer new ideas to their otherwise discontinued model and no more spare parts available.
Here are photos of our work, before and after, with some badly discolored links:
If anyone is interested in our mentioned work you can find us listed in the IWC service shown on their website.
Best regards,
Jack Freedman Superior Watch Service Inc. Brooklyn, NY IWC Factory Authorized Service
5 Discussions and CommentsMember since Feb. 27, 2011
Thank you both for your inspiring replies.
Since the piece has not been used for several years, I had a full overhaul planned anyways. If the bracelet need not be replaced, I'd be even more delighted.
I own an IW3701 Porsche Design Chronograph with a black Delrin band, which I would like to replace since the original one seems to have bleached or oxidated on the outside (see photos #1 and #2)
but not on the inside (see photo #3)
I am able to scrape off most of the white coating, although the regained darker colour of the band will not match the jet black casing.
Please let me know whether you know if, and if yes where, I can find a replacement band or about any care taking instructions I might follow to regain the jet black colour of the band.
Thank you in advance
Nils o. Janus
Last edited: 27 February, 2011 - 14:21
Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com
Last edited: 5 April, 2012 - 19:53
I noticed with appreciation you mentioned my company name within this discussion.
I'm delighted to add some interesting information for readers of our forum. A number of years ago we came up with our own remedy of restoring the black color of the delrin bracelets made for the Porsche Design by IWC ref. 3701 as shown in this thread.
It began when I received an inquiry from a friendly customer who called to say that she would like to completely restore her husband's PD timepiece (ref. 3701) for his 60th birthday because he's so fondly attached to it. Upon receipt of the watch at our service center I pondered what to do about his discolored bracelet and tried different approaches to no avail. In a last ditch effort I made a serious research of the delrin material and available solutions that might work. I called upon several non-watch related manufacturers and explained my quest until I found one company chemist who was willing to share some ideas with me.
Step 2 was to take the ideas and put them to practice. Rather than running the risk of possibly further damaging our customer's discolored bracelet I experimented with some old discolored links we had in stock. Much to my surprise the results were so inspiring that we went ahead and restored the black color on our customer's bracelet at no extra charge. I'm pleased to say that when the customer received his watch back he was overjoyed with his rejuvenated timepiece.
I informed the IWC factory about my solution to the problem and they were both impressed and pleased of our efforts to offer new ideas to their otherwise discontinued model and no more spare parts available.
Here are photos of our work, before and after, with some badly discolored links:
If anyone is interested in our mentioned work you can find us listed in the IWC service shown on their website.
Best regards,
Jack Freedman
Superior Watch Service Inc.
Brooklyn, NY
IWC Factory Authorized Service
Since the piece has not been used for several years, I had a full overhaul planned anyways. If the bracelet need not be replaced, I'd be even more delighted.