288 Discussions and CommentsMember since Feb. 26, 2012Singapore,
Singapore
I have had my 5004 for about six months now and I cannot tell how you how much I enjoy looking at this watch......but wearing it is something different unfortunately. I have other big IWCs such as the mission earth so the size isn't a problem but the strap itself continues to give me grief. I live in Singapore so if I put the strap on firmly it gets very uncomfortable in the heat and if I loosen it up one hole it rolls all over the place and is uncomfortable against the wrist bone.
It is a standard length strap and frankly I could probably go with the short strap as there is some overhang but that doesn't solve the challenge that one hole is too tight and one is too loose. Thought it was just a "wear in" challenge but the stiffness does not help the comfort either.
Any suggestions on alternatives? I don't mind shelling out for the short strap if the holes are aligned differently but I have no idea if the hole placement is random or not. Need some input as it desperately needs some more wrist time.
934 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 8, 2011
BP4ME,
I too have had the same issue with strap comfort. I found it amazing that just one hole change can be to tight or to loose. My wrists are on the smaller size. Short straps are generally 20mm less than the standard.
My AD made a suggestion that has worked well for me. Try mixing a short and standard strap. For instance, use the short end of the standard with the long end of the short and then use the short end of the short with the long end of the standard to make up a second strap. This creates a different hole pattern than what you have now. You should find a better fit with this scenario.
Have your AD/Boutique put one together for you to try on. Hope this helps.
927 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 2, 2012London,
United Kingdom
BP4ME, I just took a peek at my BP strap... and I wonder (although some might find this sacrilegious) whether an extra hole could be punctured in between the two holes you usually use? Probably best not to try and do so oneself with a needle - but there must be bespoke watch strap who would charge a de minimus fee to use their tool to create the extra tool... Anyone ever try this?
288 Discussions and CommentsMember since Feb. 26, 2012Singapore,
Singapore
teeveetee Wrote:BP4ME, I just took a peek at my BP strap... and I wonder (although some might find this sacrilegious) whether an extra hole could be punctured in between the two holes you usually use? Probably best not to try and do so oneself with a needle - but there must be bespoke watch strap who would charge a de minimus fee to use their tool to create the extra tool... Anyone ever try this?
Regards, Thang
I actually thought about this and it is a consideration but there isn't a lot of real estate between holes so I don't know if tear-through could be a problem. Will wait to see if anyone has other recommendations or strap options before I punch another hole but appreciate the input.
288 Discussions and CommentsMember since Feb. 26, 2012Singapore,
Singapore
andy stevens Wrote:BP4ME,
I too have had the same issue with strap comfort. I found it amazing that just one hole change can be to tight or to loose. My wrists are on the smaller size. Short straps are generally 20mm less than the standard.
My AD made a suggestion that has worked well for me. Try mixing a short and standard strap. For instance, use the short end of the standard with the long end of the short and then use the short end of the short with the long end of the standard to make up a second strap. This creates a different hole pattern than what you have now. You should find a better fit with this scenario.
Have your AD/Boutique put one together for you to try on. Hope this helps.
Best,
Andy
Andy, thanks for this. I was under the impression that the short length of the various strap lengths does not change, only the tail part. Did you notice much difference when trying the options?
927 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 2, 2012London,
United Kingdom
BP4ME Wrote: I actually thought about this and it is a consideration but there isn't a lot of real estate between holes so I don't know if tear-through could be a problem.
I've got a 5002 with the thick original buffalo strap so my hunch looking at it is that it could handle a 'cleanly pierced' middle hole. Your 5004's strap might be different. In the meantime, Andy's AD suggestion certainly sounds good to me.
288 Discussions and CommentsMember since Feb. 26, 2012Singapore,
Singapore
teeveetee Wrote in reply to:
BP4ME Wrote: I actually thought about this and it is a consideration but there isn't a lot of real estate between holes so I don't know if tear-through could be a problem.
I've got a 5002 with the thick original buffalo strap so my hunch looking at it is that it could handle a 'cleanly pierced' middle hole. Your 5004's strap might be different. In the meantime, Andy's AD suggestion certainly sounds good to me.
To Andy's earlier point, I cannot believe how much difference one hole can make in the overall sizing. My vintage AT can be worn on either of two holes comfortably, mind you it is a smaller watch.
927 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 2, 2012London,
United Kingdom
BP4ME Wrote:I cannot believe how much difference one hole can make in the overall sizing. My vintage AT can be worn on either of two holes comfortably, mind you it is a smaller watch.
I spent 15 years in Singapore so imagine that the very high levels of humidity (!) causes a much greater magnitude of discomfort from bigger/heavier watches and subtle changes in temperature (like the repeated change form an air-conditioned environment to outdoor...)
163 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 22, 2011
United Kingdom
Hi guys, The 5004 strap is robust enough to support an extra hole between the existing manufactured holes. We have occasionally preformed this modification in the UK workshops and have never had a problem. You should call the IWC boutique in Singapore before-hand, to check if they are equipped to carry out the job, as the tool is not standard issue. If they cannot do it, your AD will undoubtedly have the tool as it is used frequently with other brands. Leo
Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.....Confucius
934 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 8, 2011
BP4ME,
Regarding your impression that the short end of various straps being the same length and the "tail" end being where the total mm change occurs... Actually both ends are affected. For example, the croc strap for my Mark XVI in a XS size is 65mm for the short end and 105mm on the tail end. The standard size is 75mm/115mm. A 20mm overall difference. If the 20mm was all taken from only one end, the buckle would end up quite off-centered.
Yes, mixing straps moves the hole pattern to provide new fit options. Try it out at your AD or Boutique. You may be pleasantly surprised with the results.
BTW...here's some more info to throw into the pot. It's my understanding that IWC contracts out the making of their straps to various companies. I was just at my AD's and we put to identical models with identical straps side by side. Guess what? Although the straps were exactly the same in length, the hole pattern punched on the tail ends were about 3/8" different from each other. One contractor to another may be punching the hole pattern slightly different. This will cause different fits and possibly the result of "uncomfortable vs. comfortable".
If your watch hand/arm is BLUE....opt for the looser fit !!!
It is a standard length strap and frankly I could probably go with the short strap as there is some overhang but that doesn't solve the challenge that one hole is too tight and one is too loose. Thought it was just a "wear in" challenge but the stiffness does not help the comfort either.
Any suggestions on alternatives? I don't mind shelling out for the short strap if the holes are aligned differently but I have no idea if the hole placement is random or not. Need some input as it desperately needs some more wrist time.
Help!!
Michael
Last edited: 24 June, 2012 - 12:17
I too have had the same issue with strap comfort. I found it amazing that just one hole change can be to tight or to loose. My wrists are on the smaller size. Short straps are generally 20mm less than the standard.
My AD made a suggestion that has worked well for me. Try mixing a short and standard strap. For instance, use the short end of the standard with the long end of the short and then use the short end of the short with the long end of the standard to make up a second strap. This creates a different hole pattern than what you have now. You should find a better fit with this scenario.
Have your AD/Boutique put one together for you to try on. Hope this helps.
Best,
Andy
Last edited: 1 October, 2012 - 09:55
Regards,
Thang
iwcforummer@outlook.com
Last edited: 21 April, 2013 - 08:55
I actually thought about this and it is a consideration but there isn't a lot of real estate between holes so I don't know if tear-through could be a problem. Will wait to see if anyone has other recommendations or strap options before I punch another hole but appreciate the input.
Michael
Last edited: 24 June, 2012 - 12:17
Andy, thanks for this. I was under the impression that the short length of the various strap lengths does not change, only the tail part. Did you notice much difference when trying the options?
Michael
Last edited: 24 June, 2012 - 12:17
I've got a 5002 with the thick original buffalo strap so my hunch looking at it is that it could handle a 'cleanly pierced' middle hole. Your 5004's strap might be different. In the meantime, Andy's AD suggestion certainly sounds good to me.
iwcforummer@outlook.com
Last edited: 21 April, 2013 - 08:55
To Andy's earlier point, I cannot believe how much difference one hole can make in the overall sizing. My vintage AT can be worn on either of two holes comfortably, mind you it is a smaller watch.
Michael
Last edited: 24 June, 2012 - 12:17
I spent 15 years in Singapore so imagine that the very high levels of humidity (!) causes a much greater magnitude of discomfort from bigger/heavier watches and subtle changes in temperature (like the repeated change form an air-conditioned environment to outdoor...)
iwcforummer@outlook.com
Last edited: 21 April, 2013 - 08:55
The 5004 strap is robust enough to support an extra hole between the existing manufactured holes. We have occasionally preformed this modification in the UK workshops and have never had a problem. You should call the IWC boutique in Singapore before-hand, to check if they are equipped to carry out the job, as the tool is not standard issue. If they cannot do it, your AD will undoubtedly have the tool as it is used frequently with other brands.
Leo
Last edited: 22 September, 2012 - 08:43
Regarding your impression that the short end of various straps being the same length and the "tail" end being where the total mm change occurs... Actually both ends are affected. For example, the croc strap for my Mark XVI in a XS size is 65mm for the short end and 105mm on the tail end. The standard size is 75mm/115mm. A 20mm overall difference. If the 20mm was all taken from only one end, the buckle would end up quite off-centered.
Yes, mixing straps moves the hole pattern to provide new fit options. Try it out at your AD or Boutique. You may be pleasantly surprised with the results.
BTW...here's some more info to throw into the pot. It's my understanding that IWC contracts out the making of their straps to various companies. I was just at my AD's and we put to identical models with identical straps side by side. Guess what? Although the straps were exactly the same in length, the hole pattern punched on the tail ends were about 3/8" different from each other. One contractor to another may be punching the hole pattern slightly different. This will cause different fits and possibly the result of "uncomfortable vs. comfortable".
If your watch hand/arm is BLUE....opt for the looser fit !!!
Good Luck,
Andy
Last edited: 1 October, 2012 - 09:55