I think I may be the only one with this opinion, but for the sake of good discussion I thought that I would raise it.
Sometimes, designers in a watch company "gets it exactly right" when a watch is designed, and sometimes not. I recall seeing a proposed new model from one watch company recently. It had a light tan strap and some people in the group thought that a dark brown strap would look much better. There's no objective criteria, but sometimes a change in a strap does make a real visual difference for the better.
I also think there's a desire (indeed, a psychological need that I don't have the skills to figure out) to "customize" some watches. There's nothing wrong with that phenomenon --to each his own. And I usually see that phenomenon manifesting itself with strap changes (in fact, Panerai has developed a whole strap culture). At the least, a strap change is an easy alteration: it's a five minute job and one can revert back to the original.
But what I can't figure out, with respect, is why the phenomenon to alter the Cousteau model with a steel bracelet. An example is shown here as a Photoshop rendering by Eduard Otto Brussen, and it's been discussed in several posts on this forum.
I'm not criticizing anyone's taste in doing this, since if they're happy I'm happy. Morever, a bracelet on this model really doesn't look bad to me. A bracelet of course works on a diving watch. But --to me, it takes away from the concept of what the Cousteau model is all about. The bracelet to me converts a special watch to a much more typical one, with a fancy dial.
I guess one could argue that the rubber strap is even more "ordinary" than the well-engineered bracelet, but I think the strap goes with the watch. If it weren't blue than I would think it would be ordinary on this watch. But here, to me at least, the matching (more or less) color of the strap and and dial give the watch élan. It's part of what makes the watch different.
And I like the contrast between the "preciousness" of the dial and the strap, just as I like the contrast between the orange and blue on the dial. It reflects, at least to me, a "flip" attitude-- like you can have fun and don't need to make a "serious watch" into an "austere object".
So for me I just don't get the bracelet on the Cousteau model. I'd leave the bracelet for the " ordinary" version which has the black-and-white dial. Or better yet, if I were assembling a group of watches to own, I'll take the Cosuteau with a rubber strap --and hopefully there'll be an Ingenieur with a bracelet to compliment that. That duo would make more sense to my thinking.
And one more thing: I'm going to `order` a second blue rubber strap. If the original one rips down the road, I don't want to hope on finding one then. If that becomes an involved special `order`, I guess I'd be stuck `order`ing a bracelet....unless I have an spare blue strap in the drawer.
715 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 22, 2001
De gustibus...etc...>>
For me, the rather heavy head of the steel Cousteau feels and looks a little top heavy on the rubber strap, which itself gives the impression of being a bit flimsy. I'm sure it really isn't, but that's my impression of it. The feeling doesn't seem so great on the black strap models.
Compared with other rubber straps I have examined, IWC's seems somewhat thinner. I notice that the tang of the buckle has been made quite wide, presumably to counteract any tendency for the rubber to tear at the hole. One good thing about it is that it hasn't triggered a reaction (allergic?) which some other rubber straps have.
The other interesting thing that happens when a bracelet is mounted is that the weight of the whole becomes unusually high. I rather like it, it seems to add a feeling of invulnerability.
By the way, I was surprised to see a Cousteau appearing in a local dealer's window today. Haven't seen one for four or five months. Serial 12xx with brushed sides.
3,741 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 22, 2001
Bless me father, for I have had impure thoughts...
...about swapping this amazing limited edition blue strap for a heavy steel bracelet. Is it a mistake?
Weight, and heft have a significant influence on my taste in watches. I replaced the crocodile strap on my dopppelchrono with the bracelet (of course, it was designed for that watch as it appears in the catalog).
I rarely borrow my wife's 3714 blue-hand Portuguese Chrono becuase I find the watch on the small side. I am not a fan of the Titanium Aquatimers - because of their light weight.
When I saw the first Cousteau photos from the 2004 collection preview here on IWC.CH - I may have jumped to a conclusion, that this beautiful watch would not satisfy my "weighty" demands alone. Back then, I was a little confused as to why IWC did not offer a bracelet option in the catalog as they did for the steel Aquatimer Automatic. Certainly, there must be a reason.
Now, with my Cousteau on my wrist - I understand. The artists at IWC have taken their stand. I am convinced. I have other IWCs with bracelets in my collection. I can wear them when in the mood. This blue/purple strap has so much character, and style. I am not swapping it.
Here in Southern California, the "customization" phenomenon is prevalent in cars. Brabus, Lorinser, and others offer customization parts for Mercedes Benz - with crazy wheels, spoilers, exhaust, body panels, light assemblies. It's funnny. My neighbors are always trying to sell me on adding chrome racing wheels, or getting a Brabus-enhancement package.
I guess if I `order` the "Chef's Special" for lunch - and ask them to substitute seared Ahi for the steak, no onions, and dressing on the side - is it still the "Chef's Special"?
Michael. I certainly hope that your comment about `order`ing the blue strap(s) does not cause a "run" on them. As I plan on `order`ing at least one. Who knows how plentiful they will be in 5, or 10 years from now. I would also guess that a new strap will slightly, a different color than your original one.
2,149 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 23, 2001
Is a bracelet on the Cousteau model a mistake?
Hi Michael, I had the same considerations as you.The splendid rubber strap is making the Cousteau really complete and the steel one would be great if we did never see the blue rubber one.But......what will time do with the rubber material?How long will it last :5,10 or more years.The vintage collectors among us know what time does to leather strapsHow few original straps on watches older than 20 years do we see.And although we can `order` spare parts from the "pharmacy" for decades,this is not the case for straps in all cases.So for the splendid Cousteau my options would be : 1.If I knew that the rubber straps would available even after 20 years I would `order` that after mine would be "gone off". 2.If I knew that the toal number of rubber straps would be limited in time and number I would `order` a rubber strap now. 3.If IWC would tell me "out of stock" for the rubber one,than it is time to `order` the steel one. So I guess the key question here is : how long will IWC produce this magnificent blue rubber strap.Michael do you know the answer? Adrian.
1,870 Discussions and CommentsMember since Oct. 28, 2002
Before saying something, just look at...
my previous post ( link below )( post from 30.09.04 ) I have put the bracelet from my Aquatimer ref.3536 on my Cousteau. It is in my opinion nicer than the new bracelet because, like the Cousteau it has some brushed and some polished parts. I did it because it is a bit more dressy than with the rubber strap and I wanted to wear it even with my suits. But... I think it does look more special and authentic with the blue rubber strap. But even with the bracelet it stays a very special watch with its marvellous blue dial.
242 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 22, 2001
For me: yes
I also tried the bracelet of the GST AT 2000. But then the Cousteau feels like the GST.
When changing my watches day to day (or day to night to day) I look for different sensations: heavy watch after lightweight, balanced after top-heavy, matte titanium after blinking steel, etc.. The some-how extreme Cousteau in orginal configuration can serve as antipode to many of my watches: rubber strap, blue/orange color, blinking but simple, top-heavy.
Did I tell already that I'm a dogmatic fan of originality?
Sometimes, designers in a watch company "gets it exactly right" when a watch is designed, and sometimes not. I recall seeing a proposed new model from one watch company recently. It had a light tan strap and some people in the group thought that a dark brown strap would look much better. There's no objective criteria, but sometimes a change in a strap does make a real visual difference for the better.
I also think there's a desire (indeed, a psychological need that I don't have the skills to figure out) to "customize" some watches. There's nothing wrong with that phenomenon --to each his own. And I usually see that phenomenon manifesting itself with strap changes (in fact, Panerai has developed a whole strap culture). At the least, a strap change is an easy alteration: it's a five minute job and one can revert back to the original.
But what I can't figure out, with respect, is why the phenomenon to alter the Cousteau model with a steel bracelet. An example is shown here as a Photoshop rendering by Eduard Otto Brussen, and it's been discussed in several posts on this forum.
I'm not criticizing anyone's taste in doing this, since if they're happy I'm happy. Morever, a bracelet on this model really doesn't look bad to me. A bracelet of course works on a diving watch. But --to me, it takes away from the concept of what the Cousteau model is all about. The bracelet to me converts a special watch to a much more typical one, with a fancy dial.
I guess one could argue that the rubber strap is even more "ordinary" than the well-engineered bracelet, but I think the strap goes with the watch. If it weren't blue than I would think it would be ordinary on this watch. But here, to me at least, the matching (more or less) color of the strap and and dial give the watch élan. It's part of what makes the watch different.
And I like the contrast between the "preciousness" of the dial and the strap, just as I like the contrast between the orange and blue on the dial. It reflects, at least to me, a "flip" attitude-- like you can have fun and don't need to make a "serious watch" into an "austere object".
So for me I just don't get the bracelet on the Cousteau model. I'd leave the bracelet for the " ordinary" version which has the black-and-white dial. Or better yet, if I were assembling a group of watches to own, I'll take the Cosuteau with a rubber strap --and hopefully there'll be an Ingenieur with a bracelet to compliment that. That duo would make more sense to my thinking.
And one more thing: I'm going to `order` a second blue rubber strap. If the original one rips down the road, I don't want to hope on finding one then. If that becomes an involved special `order`, I guess I'd be stuck `order`ing a bracelet....unless I have an spare blue strap in the drawer.
Comments are of course invited.
Regards,
Michael
Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com
Last edited: 5 April, 2012 - 19:53
For me, the rather heavy head of the steel Cousteau feels and looks a little top heavy on the rubber strap, which itself gives the impression of being a bit flimsy. I'm sure it really isn't, but that's my impression of it. The feeling doesn't seem so great on the black strap models.
Compared with other rubber straps I have examined, IWC's seems somewhat thinner. I notice that the tang of the buckle has been made quite wide, presumably to counteract any tendency for the rubber to tear at the hole. One good thing about it is that it hasn't triggered a reaction (allergic?) which some other rubber straps have.
The other interesting thing that happens when a bracelet is mounted is that the weight of the whole becomes unusually high. I rather like it, it seems to add a feeling of invulnerability.
By the way, I was surprised to see a Cousteau appearing in a local dealer's window today. Haven't seen one for four or five months. Serial 12xx with brushed sides.
Fantastic, did you buy it? I would have... If nothing else then to surprise a friend.
All the best
JCB
Last edited: 21 January, 2013 - 15:25
...about swapping this amazing limited edition blue strap for a heavy steel bracelet. Is it a mistake?
Weight, and heft have a significant influence on my taste in watches. I replaced the crocodile strap on my dopppelchrono with the bracelet (of course, it was designed for that watch as it appears in the catalog).
I rarely borrow my wife's 3714 blue-hand Portuguese Chrono becuase I find the watch on the small side. I am not a fan of the Titanium Aquatimers - because of their light weight.
When I saw the first Cousteau photos from the 2004 collection preview here on IWC.CH - I may have jumped to a conclusion, that this beautiful watch would not satisfy my "weighty" demands alone. Back then, I was a little confused as to why IWC did not offer a bracelet option in the catalog as they did for the steel Aquatimer Automatic. Certainly, there must be a reason.
Now, with my Cousteau on my wrist - I understand. The artists at IWC have taken their stand. I am convinced. I have other IWCs with bracelets in my collection. I can wear them when in the mood. This blue/purple strap has so much character, and style. I am not swapping it.
Here in Southern California, the "customization" phenomenon is prevalent in cars. Brabus, Lorinser, and others offer customization parts for Mercedes Benz - with crazy wheels, spoilers, exhaust, body panels, light assemblies. It's funnny. My neighbors are always trying to sell me on adding chrome racing wheels, or getting a Brabus-enhancement package.
I guess if I `order` the "Chef's Special" for lunch - and ask them to substitute seared Ahi for the steak, no onions, and dressing on the side - is it still the "Chef's Special"?
Michael. I certainly hope that your comment about `order`ing the blue strap(s) does not cause a "run" on them. As I plan on `order`ing at least one. Who knows how plentiful they will be in 5, or 10 years from now. I would also guess that a new strap will slightly, a different color than your original one.
Regards,
Ardoise
Last edited: 1 January, 2012 - 17:55
I totally agree. The Cousteau has to be on rubber. The metal is nice to wear... but on the 'normal' GST.
Waiting for that metal Ingenieur you mentioned!
Martijn
Greetings, Martijn
Last edited: 6 July, 2012 - 10:18
Hi Michael,
I had the same considerations as you.The splendid rubber strap is making the Cousteau really complete and the steel one would be great if we did never see the blue rubber one.But......what will time do with the rubber material?How long will it last :5,10 or more years.The vintage collectors among us know what time does to leather strapsHow few original straps on watches older than 20 years do we see.And although we can `order` spare parts from the "pharmacy" for decades,this is not the case for straps in all cases.So for the splendid Cousteau my options would be :
1.If I knew that the rubber straps would available even after 20 years I would `order` that after mine would be "gone off".
2.If I knew that the toal number of rubber straps would be limited in time and number I would `order` a rubber strap now.
3.If IWC would tell me "out of stock" for the rubber one,than it is time to `order` the steel one.
So I guess the key question here is : how long will IWC produce this
magnificent blue rubber strap.Michael do you know the answer?
Adrian.
...I think I might have inadvertenty started a run!
Regards,
Michael
P.S. I haven't yet `order`ed a replacement strap for myself, either. I'll get one in due course --I'm not concerned about timing.
Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com
Last edited: 5 April, 2012 - 19:53
my previous post ( link below )( post from 30.09.04 )
I have put the bracelet from my Aquatimer ref.3536 on my Cousteau.
It is in my opinion nicer than the new bracelet because, like the Cousteau it has some brushed and some polished parts.
I did it because it is a bit more dressy than with the rubber strap and I wanted to wear it even with my suits.
But... I think it does look more special and authentic with the blue rubber strap. But even with the bracelet it stays a very special watch with its marvellous blue dial.
http://www.iwc.ch/member/forum/search_all.asp?table=archives&name=Tonny+Berteloot&archived=yes&id=43837
tonny.berteloot@pandora.be
I also tried the bracelet of the GST AT 2000. But then the Cousteau feels like the GST.
When changing my watches day to day (or day to night to day) I look for different sensations: heavy watch after lightweight, balanced after top-heavy, matte titanium after blinking steel, etc.. The some-how extreme Cousteau in orginal configuration can serve as antipode to many of my watches: rubber strap, blue/orange color, blinking but simple, top-heavy.
Did I tell already that I'm a dogmatic fan of originality?
Michael Gehret
Last edited: 31 May, 2012 - 07:19
Regards,
Ardoise
Last edited: 1 January, 2012 - 17:55