7 Discussions and CommentsMember since July 31, 2011
I prefer a leather strap, but I have had a few issues with them - After a while, they do not 'smell' so good... and require actual replacement. I have tried a few things to clean them, but it doesn't seem to work.
When it comes time to replace them, a good leather strap (ordered from the watch company) costs many hundreds $$ and I personally find it too expensive to replace every 6 months. (I could purchase some from other vendors, but have yet to find some that look as good with the watch as the originals)
Does anyone have any good cleaning methods (or is there something I could do to prevent this issue)? Most IWC watches have leather straps, so I'm somewhat in a quandry over buying them...
3,732 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 28, 2001
If cleaning leather straps is no solution, and replacing straps on a regular basis not an option, then you might consider the Milanese mesh bracelet that are made for the new Portofino's. That to me is a kind of mix between a strap and a bracelet, quite beautiful too (I saw them) and if I am well informed available in the sizes 20/18 and 22/18. They are not cheap at all, but you never have to consider replacing leather straps anymore. They wear well and have a micro adjustment feature.
Kind regards, Paul
What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)
A small point on the Milanese bracelet--it has "some" fine adjustment, but if I recall it works in 5mm increments, like holes on a leather strap. A true "micro adjustment" bracelet works in 1mm increments. I think only the Da Vinci bracelet by IWC currently has that, and also a few other brands do (Rolex does for its Submariner).
Also, I'm less sure but believe that the Milanese bracelet is made only for the new Portofino chronograph. As such it shoudl be 21mm in width, and won't fit 20mm models (like the new Portofino Automatic) or 22mm models (like the Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days). If anyone has info to the contrary, please let me know.
3,732 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 28, 2001
Michael Friedberg Wrote:A small point on the Milanese bracelet--it has "some" fine adjustment, but if I recall it works in 5mm increments, like holes on a leather strap. A true "micro adjustment" bracelet works in 1mm increments. I think only the Da Vinci bracelet by IWC currently has that, and also a few other brands do (Rolex does for its Submariner).
Also, I'm less sure but believe that the Milanese bracelet is made only for the new Portofino chronograph. As such it shoudl be 21mm in width, and won't fit 20mm models (like the new Portofino Automatic) or 22mm models (like the Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days). If anyone has info to the contrary, please let me know.
While buying my 8 days handwound I just was curious whether there was a Milanese mesh bracelet for this watch. The AD looked it up in that big handbook, and there it was for this watch, stating 22/18: I looked again to be sure. Then we looked at the mesh bracelets for the other Portofino's: at the time I thought I saw 22/18 too, I remember stating that thus the lug width was the same for all the Portofino's, but later I became not sure, reading 20/18 somewhere. The mesh bracelet comes as a "standard" version on the smaller Automatic and Chrono, and as a "special order" on the handwound. If you have that big AD handbook, please verify Michael: I tend not to be sure when I don't have the evidence right in front of me.
The adjustment: I saw those niches, or how should I call them, they seemed rather close to each other, but I did not measure. They seemed closer than the width of a link of my Ingenieur, so for a bracelet I found it rather micro, but you are right that the Da Vinci adjustment is more micro.
It is a very nice bracelet: I think it to be an idea, a classy alternative, when climate conditions make leather straps maybe less appropriate.
Kind regards, Paul
What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)
1,592 Discussions and CommentsMember since May 16, 2002
If memory serves me correctly, I recall asking Shing to check whether the Milanese bracelets would fit the Portuguse chrono and after he went to the boutique aka home from home, the answer was yes, then my Australian namesake did a mock up photo. But I believe MF has a dealers book at home to confirm or deny, when he has a chance.
2,996 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 2, 2011Hong Kong,
Hong Kong
Hmmm, I think I did find out about the Milanese bracelet but the check was mainly on Santonis (see below). Portofino Autos and Chronos lugs measure at 20mm.
Re Greg on Portuguese Chrono - what is the lug size? Would be an interesting combination.
shing Wrote: For lug size, based on what I know and have told to me, Santoni straps come fit for only one lug size:
lug size/strap/bracelet: Portofino Chrono lug size: 20 mm, 18 mm (alligator strap/Milanese mesh bracelet) Portofino Automatic lug size: 20 mm, 18 mm (alligator strap/Milanese mesh bracelet) Portofino 8 days lug ize: 22 mm, 18 mm (Santoni strap only)
I popped by one of the bigger ADs (whom I do not deal with - but in this case only the bigger ones had stock of the new Portofinos) and asked for him to take out his "Working Manual For The Retail Trade" to check these details with him, and he also put in a call to Flagship, confirming that: The Santoni straps can only be used on the Portofino 8 days 22mm,18mm and not for the Portofino Chrono/Automatic.
That having been said, what I saw of the Working Manual may not be fully comprehensive - or at least there are parts the AD doesn't know to refer to. One example is the bracelets/alligator straps for the Portofino Automatic: only two colours were listed for the straps, along with the mesh bracelet. I certainly wish I have my own copy.
Pin Buckle/Deployment All three Portofino series: 8 days/automatic/chronograph, come in Pin Buckle, but each watch series also listed an option for a Deployment Buckle. So I believe the answer is an affirmative Yes, deployment buckle OK.
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch. all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
7 Discussions and CommentsMember since July 31, 2011
Thanks for the options. I'm still not certain if I would actually like the Milanese bracelet or not. I guess I'll have to find an AD (which won't be hard to do)next time I'm in NYC and try it on!
Any suggestions about cleaning methods that you've tried, and level of success?
233 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 6, 2011San Francisco Bay Area, California,
United States
I also like a leather strap for most watches, but they do seem to last longer than six months for me. I find I can go several years before needing to replace a strap.
It may be because I have a number of watches and usually wear a particular watch for only a couple of weeks before moving on to another one for a while. So most of my favorite watches only get worn for a total of several months out of the year, and each gets some "down time." And I do prefer a bracelet on a watch that sees more "hard use."
Also, I find that using a deployant reduces stress, and wear, on a strap.
When it comes time to replace them, a good leather strap (ordered from the watch company) costs many hundreds $$ and I personally find it too expensive to replace every 6 months. (I could purchase some from other vendors, but have yet to find some that look as good with the watch as the originals)
Does anyone have any good cleaning methods (or is there something I could do to prevent this issue)? Most IWC watches have leather straps, so I'm somewhat in a quandry over buying them...
Kind regards,
Paul
What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)
Last edited: 23 October, 2011 - 13:31
Also, I'm less sure but believe that the Milanese bracelet is made only for the new Portofino chronograph. As such it shoudl be 21mm in width, and won't fit 20mm models (like the new Portofino Automatic) or 22mm models (like the Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days). If anyone has info to the contrary, please let me know.
Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com
Last edited: 5 April, 2012 - 19:53
While buying my 8 days handwound I just was curious whether there was a Milanese mesh bracelet for this watch. The AD looked it up in that big handbook, and there it was for this watch, stating 22/18: I looked again to be sure. Then we looked at the mesh bracelets for the other Portofino's: at the time I thought I saw 22/18 too, I remember stating that thus the lug width was the same for all the Portofino's, but later I became not sure, reading 20/18 somewhere. The mesh bracelet comes as a "standard" version on the smaller Automatic and Chrono, and as a "special order" on the handwound. If you have that big AD handbook, please verify Michael: I tend not to be sure when I don't have the evidence right in front of me.
The adjustment: I saw those niches, or how should I call them, they seemed rather close to each other, but I did not measure. They seemed closer than the width of a link of my Ingenieur, so for a bracelet I found it rather micro, but you are right that the Da Vinci adjustment is more micro.
It is a very nice bracelet: I think it to be an idea, a classy alternative, when climate conditions make leather straps maybe less appropriate.
Kind regards,
Paul
What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)
Last edited: 23 October, 2011 - 13:31
But I believe MF has a dealers book at home to confirm or deny, when he has a chance.
Cheers Greg Chalk
Cvanwhite at aol dot com
Last edited: 21 February, 2013 - 13:47
Cheers Greg Chalk
Cvanwhite at aol dot com
Last edited: 21 February, 2013 - 13:47
Re Greg on Portuguese Chrono - what is the lug size? Would be an interesting combination.
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com
time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch.
all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
Last edited: 8 December, 2012 - 16:07
Cheers Greg Chalk
Cvanwhite at aol dot com
Last edited: 21 February, 2013 - 13:47
Any suggestions about cleaning methods that you've tried, and level of success?
It may be because I have a number of watches and usually wear a particular watch for only a couple of weeks before moving on to another one for a while. So most of my favorite watches only get worn for a total of several months out of the year, and each gets some "down time." And I do prefer a bracelet on a watch that sees more "hard use."
Also, I find that using a deployant reduces stress, and wear, on a strap.