4 Discussions and CommentsMember since Feb. 27, 2013
Switzerland
I am lucky enough to live in Geneva, and walked down to the IWC Boutique on Rue du Rhone last week. I could not leave the store without my lusted-after Portuguese Automatic. S/S with rose gold Arabic numerals and hands. I am thrilled with it, and it complements my collection nicely.
One question - is the Milanese mesh bracelet (made for the Portofino) available for the Portuguese, or would it just fit?
435 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 27, 2011Kent,
United Kingdom
Congratulations on your choice of an iconic IWC, and welcome to the Forum James. A brown leather Santoni strap is a favourite on this Forum for the 5001.
4 Discussions and CommentsMember since Feb. 27, 2013
Switzerland
David Hills Wrote:Congratulations on your choice of an iconic IWC, and welcome to the Forum James. A brown leather Santoni strap is a favourite on this Forum for the 5001.
Thanks David. Appreciate your comments. Doesn't really answer my question though...
2,241 Discussions and CommentsMember since Nov. 16, 2004
James MacLennan Wrote:I am lucky enough to live in Geneva, and walked down to the IWC Boutique on Rue du Rhone last week. I could not leave the store without my lusted-after Portuguese Automatic. S/S with rose gold Arabic numerals and hands. I am thrilled with it, and it complements my collection nicely.
One question - is the Milanese mesh bracelet (made for the Portofino) available for the Portuguese, or would it just fit?
Any help would be appreciated!
I have never seen a 5001 Portuguese on a metal bracelet. If the lug widths are the same, there is no reason why you cannot put a Milan mesh bracelet on a 5001. My personal view is the 5001 is too big and too high for the combination to work. It would work better with the thinner hand wound Portuguese. You could go back to the boutique and ask them to test it on your new watch. Incidentally, congratulations on the 5001. It is an iconic watch and looks as good today as it did when launched almost 10 years ago.
1,591 Discussions and CommentsMember since May 16, 2002
The Portofino 8 day hound wound comes as standard with the very desirable Santoni strap of 22mm/18mm width available for deployant or pin buckle and each have three sizes XS S XL. The alternative for this watch is the Portofino Milanese bracelet of 22mm again in XS S XL (not the same lug size for the automatic or chrono). So in answer to your question yes the Portuguese automatic can be fitted with a Milanese IWC bracelet but sit down before asking the price. By the way I have the identical watch and it looks so damn good with a Santoni light brown strap on it that the bracelet would never convey as then you would then have a shiny bracelet trying to compete with the beauty of the watch rather than compliment the watch. That's not only my opinion but also others who have gone down this route with Portuguese 7 day auto and perpetuals both steel and the various golds but not necessarily yours.
435 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 27, 2011Kent,
United Kingdom
How about...stick with the 5001 on leather strap (original or Santoni), and also buy a Portofino with Milanese bracelet! Thus keeping the strap and bracelet within their respective Families.
4 Discussions and CommentsMember since Feb. 27, 2013
Switzerland
Thank you all for your help. Thne watch came with a black leather IWC strap with a deployment in s/steel. Is this the Santoni strap that was referenced several times?
934 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 8, 2011
James MacLennan Wrote:Thank you all for your help. Thne watch came with a black leather IWC strap with a deployment in s/steel. Is this the Santoni strap that was referenced several times?
Greetings James,
I'll throw in my opinion. First, the black Chroc strap that came OEM is not part of the Santoni strap family. The Santoni is a uniquely shaded strap and due to the finishing process, no two are perfectly alike. They are offered in a light or dark brown, both depending on preference, really enhance the beauty of the 5001. Once you pair up the Santoni, you will find it difficult to return to the OEM strap. BTW, a light-black Santoni is available. It also has the Santoni shading with a hint of blue in the grain, quite beautiful but IMO it would work better on another 22mm model. My personal choice would be the dark brown Santoni with your RG markers variation.
Using the search option ( magnifying glass in upper right hand corner of black bar ) you will find a number of wristshots with the Santoni's. Try key words such as "Santoni Strap".
Worth a trip to the Boutique/AD to appreciate the quality and beauty of these special straps. Let us know what you think once you have a chance to check them out. My guess is we will soon be seeing some wristshots of your upgraded 5001 and maybe the big smile on your face admiring it.
4 Discussions and CommentsMember since Feb. 27, 2013
Switzerland
This forum is incredible, and the passion of the users evident! I walked down to IWC boutique, and changed out the black leather deployment for the DARK BROWN SANTONI!
Thank you all for your help and advice, and good taste! It looks like a different watch, and the leather is gorgeous!
2,248 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 2, 2001
Sorry I'm too late to help, but for others who may be wondering, here is my 5001 on the original black strap and then on the light brown Santoni. I'll look forward to seeing yours on the dark brown.
One question - is the Milanese mesh bracelet (made for the Portofino) available for the Portuguese, or would it just fit?
Any help would be appreciated!
Last edited: 27 February, 2013 - 08:46
Regards
Dave
Last edited: 27 February, 2013 - 09:30
Regards
James
I have never seen a 5001 Portuguese on a metal bracelet. If the lug widths are the same, there is no reason why you cannot put a Milan mesh bracelet on a 5001. My personal view is the 5001 is too big and too high for the combination to work. It would work better with the thinner hand wound Portuguese. You could go back to the boutique and ask them to test it on your new watch. Incidentally, congratulations on the 5001. It is an iconic watch and looks as good today as it did when launched almost 10 years ago.
Last edited: 17 May, 2013 - 09:58
By the way I have the identical watch and it looks so damn good with a Santoni light brown strap on it that the bracelet would never convey as then you would then have a shiny bracelet trying to compete with the beauty of the watch rather than compliment the watch. That's not only my opinion but also others who have gone down this route with Portuguese 7 day auto and perpetuals both steel and the various golds but not necessarily yours.
Cheers Greg Chalk
Cvanwhite at aol dot com
Regards
Dave
Last edited: 27 February, 2013 - 11:13
Greetings James,
I'll throw in my opinion. First, the black Chroc strap that came OEM is not part of the Santoni strap family. The Santoni is a uniquely shaded strap and due to the finishing process, no two are perfectly alike. They are offered in a light or dark brown, both depending on preference, really enhance the beauty of the 5001. Once you pair up the Santoni, you will find it difficult to return to the OEM strap. BTW, a light-black Santoni is available. It also has the Santoni shading with a hint of blue in the grain, quite beautiful but IMO it would work better on another 22mm model. My personal choice would be the dark brown Santoni with your RG markers variation.
Using the search option ( magnifying glass in upper right hand corner of black bar ) you will find a number of wristshots with the Santoni's. Try key words such as "Santoni Strap".
Worth a trip to the Boutique/AD to appreciate the quality and beauty of these special straps. Let us know what you think once you have a chance to check them out. My guess is we will soon be seeing some wristshots of your upgraded 5001 and maybe the big smile on your face admiring it.
Regards,
Andy
Thank you all for your help and advice, and good taste! It looks like a different watch, and the leather is gorgeous!
I will post some pics soon.
regards
James
The Black:
and the Brown:
Dick L.
whichwatch at roadrunner dot com