mseanschmidt

My beloved P253 from Trusty had it's front glass cracked in half over the weekend. I took it to my local watchsmith who I think is pretty good and he told me the only thing he could do is install a cheap plastic replacement which he did so I can at least wear the watch. I want my nice looking Mineral Glass with Super AR back. I have a gorgeous rep with a Mario Paci strap and now a horrible plastic front :-(( Please HELP! What options do I have????

How NEWBIE of me! So ALL of the IWC Aquatimers (except 08') have a blue strap?

I just received my IWC027 from Andrew at TrustyTime. The watch is absolutely gorgeous but the strap is BLUE and cheap looking. Did the GEN actually have a BLUE strap? I actually thought from the pictures on Trusty's website that it had a black strap that didn't look that bad. So my question is: What options do I have for straps???? I assume with the unique design I'm limited in what I can put on? Could you give me some ideas or pictures on what some of you have done with your Aquatimers? Where can I buy an aftermarket strap? Should I just get an OEM? Thanks for your help!

vlydog..... the heck with the watch suggestion, what a GREAT avatar! Where did you get that pic???

I really like this NEW Cousteau! Does anyone know if it available yet as a rep???

I need a sport type watch to wear at the pool/beach this summer and my current reps (PAM253 & IWC Portuguese) I've bought this year don't really fit that classification. So, I'm looking at Andrew at TrustyTime IWC0030 - 2007 Cousteau Divers Chrono SS Blue - Asia 7750 which I think looks really cool and would be a perfect sports watch. Could I get everyone's input or any other suggestions? Thanks!

I have a IWC Portugeuse Rep from Andrew and bought a very close to OEM looking strap from The Watch Boys. Maybe it is my new PAM/Strap obsession, but the oem strap just looks too small and skinny on the Portuguese. It is a fairly thick case and the skinny strap looks odd to my eye. What do all of you IWC experts think? Is the oem looking strap the best way to go or should I look for a different custom strap, maybe much thicker, to make my Portuguese look even better??? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

I figured a catchy Title and a post in the Panerai Forum would hopefully get me some feedback? So when wearing your strap I assume the PERFECT fit would be in the 4th MIDDLE hole putting the buckle at the center of your wrist. So, if it is just not possible to get a strap to fit perfectly in the center...... what is the opinion, do you go longer or shorter? In other words, would you rather be on the sixth hole in an have the strap too small or the 6th hole in and have the strap a little long? Thanks for you help!

Okay, I think everything is okay. Basically what I'm hearing is that as long as you can get the seconds to start by a shake or two you are okay. If the watch stops or slows after 10 hours on the counter that is normal and I should just re-set the time and give it a good shake. Then, under NO circumstances should you ever wind the watch???? Is there a situation when you should and it wouldn't hurt the movement? Forgive all my NEWBIE questions. Just want to find out what is normal and what I need to do with an automatic movement. Thanks for the help!

Can anyone give me any input on what strap they think would look the BEST on the IWC Port Auto Rose Gold with Black Dial? The OEM comes with a brown alligator strap. I've had suggestions that the darker brown alligator strap looks better? Any input or feedback???? If anyone has any pics that would be great too. Thanks!!!

The standard strap size for IWC is 115/75mm. I have a 7" wrist and wear my strap on either the 2nd or 3rd hole. For some reason it just feels too small? I just ordered a MP strap for my PAM253 at a 125/80mm and it is a perfect fit in the exact middle hole. Here is my dilemma- I can't get a IWC strap at 125/80mm only in 125/85mm which puts me in the 2nd to last hole. If I can't get that perfect middle hole fit is it wise to go with a strap that is a little longer than you need or a little shorter? Any input would be greatly appreciated?

Does anyone know how long the power reserve is on a PAM253 rep with the Asia 7750 movement? My PAM253 has been running fine. Let me know if I handle this correctly? When I put on the watch in the morning around 7am I give it 20-25 winds. I wear the watch all day and take off around 10pm or 11pm. The next morning go through the same process. It has never stopped or run slow. However, on Friday I took off my watch around 5pm and didn't put back on until 11am Saturday morning and it said 3 o'clock but seconds were still running. I wound it 20-25 times and gave it a good 1-2 minute shake. everything is fine and keeping good time. Any ideas? I thought the power reserve was 24-48 hours? Should I wind more throughout the day? HELP.....?

Thanks! That was VERY helpful!!! Just sent them an email inquiry.

I bought a IWC Portuguese rep from Andrew a month or so ago to wear as a dress watch. I absolutely love the watch but the strap is abysmal! I've attached a pic of the gen and my rep and you can see the strap really distracts from the watch. I think if I get a really nice strap close to the gen it will look like a different watch.... what do you think? Can anyone offer some advice as to where I could find a strap close to the gen?

trying to load pic for yu but i've used up my available space? i'll see if i can sent you a pm

Just wanted to thank everyone for their help and input during the research and purchase of my first PAM and Strap. I've attached some pictures. ......... now that that is done, i need to start researching my next PAM & Strap

THANKS! Can't wait to see!!!

Finally decided on the Mario Paci XIV in Biscotto...a genuine Tuscan tanned Luxury Camel Skin Spoke with Eliot for a good while and this is the strap he suggested. Given the fact that I didn't want a black or really dark strap for my PAM253, what does everyone think of this selection?

If I buy a GeF Strap with a sewn in buckle, is that buckle fixed there forever or can I change out the buckles? Help...... ?

If you don't mind me asking..... what straps did you order?

I appreciate everyone's help & feedback with my ongoing strap search for my PAM252. I understand & respect the experts really suggest a black strap. However, I really like the look of a non-black strap and until I get my next PAM, I'd like to have the look I like on my PAM253. That being said..... before I spend a hundred or so bucks on a strap, if ANYBODY has a PAM253 with a strap other than black could you help me out BIG TIME and post a picture for me. I found one PAM253 on ALL the forums that had a dark brown croc strap. Really want to see the PAM253 on some tan, brown or chocolate straps. Thanks for your help!

Okay, good feedback and a lot of negative comments on my last two strap choices. I really appreciate you not allowing me to make NEWBIE mistakes on my first strap purchase! So, what do you think of this GeF from TC Strap?

I've narrowed down my 1st Strap purchase to two different straps for my PAM253 and I was hoping to get some opinions from the experts. They are both basically the same looking strap. I do want to know how you think it would look on the PAm253. What I'm also looking for is your input on what you think the differences are between the Strap Culture Strap and the TC Strap? It seems that Strap Culture has a cult like following? Is that true or am I reading the forums wrong? While the TC Strap seems more traditional or old school??? Which is better quality? Any help you could give me would be GREATLy appreciated!!!! Thanks! Toscana_Marina_SOFT_Waterproof_straps_in_Brown_with_sewn_in_Natural_Pre_V_buckle__Time_Connection_TC_Straps.pdf

This may be a horribly NEWBIE type question but here it goes: So I have my first PAM ordered and looking for my 2nd already. Also ready to order a NEW strap for my PAM253. I assume I will be changing straps A LOT so can I do it myself or do I have to take it to a watch-smith? If you can do it yourself, how difficult is it, how long to switch- can I switch on the fly with my wife screaming we are late and finally do I need to buy any special tools? Any advise would be greatly appreciate! Again, sorry about what is probably a really basic question!!!