jj69 Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 Probably a dumb question, but is the gen IWC 3717 strap made from real gator hide, or is it cow/buffalo leather with a gator print? I ask because I'm considering moving to a strap for my 3717. As much as I love the bracelet, unfortunately, I'm between sizes. It's either too tight (which drives me out of my mind) or too loose (which makes it flop around on my wrist). I want a very authentic/gen looking strap, so there are really only two realistic options: [1] The Watch Boys 21/18mm real gator strap (beautful, but expensive at $120) [2] The BOB/Waccex 21/18mm gator-print leather strap (very nice and a bargain at $35) Both are cut exactly like the gen IWC strap. If the gen 3717 uses leather with a gator print, then all my problmes are solved. Anyone know for sure? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt.watch.obsessive Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 Gotta be real. I've been pleased with the Watchboys leather straps, although I haven't seen crocodile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 The 3717 i saw at the AD in Brussels on saterday did not have the nicest strap to be honest, it felt very stiff and dare i say papery, it felt no where near as nice as a bob calf or the rep SOSP strap, i do have a bob crock here but in 26 for a pam and that feels softer than the gen! I am sure you would be happy with a bob crock print. BTW below is a quick shot of the window, with a Big pilot in it, it nearly had a brick in it i can tell you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jj69 Posted February 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 Thanks for the info guys. Sounds like the gen strap, if it's real croc, then it's crappy quality croc! I do have a BOB strap on my Porto rep, but it's the wrong size for the 3717 (20mm vs. 21mm). I'm happy with the BOB strap, but to be honest, it doesn't feel any softer than the standard rep strap that comes on all the IWC reps (Portos, Mark XV, 3706, etc.) On the other hand, The Watch Boys buffalo leather strap I got for my Mark XV is gorgeous. Amazingly soft and very well made. Too bad I can't say the same for the Mark XV rep. Anyone else know for sure if the gen 3717 strap is real croc or just print??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 Well at that price i would hope that it is Gen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 gen 3717 has gen alligator strap... and it is way better as watchboys strap. you can buy many gen alligator straps on ebay for good price... but it is difficult to find one in the right size of 21mm. I have install a 22mm strap and it looks not good... i thought 22 and 21mm straps are the same on my watch... but isn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krustybrand Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 Best gator strap I have seen is Camille Fournet. I have one on one of my DW Daytonas. Pricey as hell. TWB strap is quite good, but doesn't get the comfy looking extra wrinkles that the Camille Fournet strap develops over time, as the hide used is a bit thicker on the WB strap. That being said, the WB strap is quite well made and worth the price. Kurt is also a stand-up guy (I have met him and done business face to face) with a gorgeous collection of watches. The ones pictured on his website are from his own collection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 The Hadley Roma Genesis II is a phenominal gator strap that looks great on the 3717: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eunomians Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 I love the Watch Boys gator. It's better than OEM. How do I know? Well, the answer, young sleuth, is obvious You want quality? You ain't a stingy dude? You wanna pay to play? Avoid OEM and get Watch Boys. It's that good. Or better yet, it's gooder than OEM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted March 2, 2008 Report Share Posted March 2, 2008 I went looking at the watch...definitely gen...but it's CROCODILE not Alligator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khumzi Posted March 27, 2008 Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 Yeah, I can also confirm (as with Toadtorrent) that the gen has a real croc not gator strap. They're nice but not brilliant. I narrowed my replacement search down to The Watch Boys on fleabay, the Genesis II at Walt's LonestarWatches site LonestarWatches and Sirtoli's dark honey gator Sirtoli. I now need to check into Krusty's Camille Fournet... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geyper man Posted March 27, 2008 Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 (edited) Stoled from iwc website, just 3 config for 3717: Reference IW371701 from IWC The Pilots Watch Chrono-Automatic in stainless steel with black crocodile leather strap Reference IW371704 from IWC The Pilots Watch Chrono-Automatic in stainless steel with stainless steel bracelet Reference IW371713 from IWC The Pilots Watch Chrono-Automatic in 18 ct. rose gold with dark brown crocodile leather strap Edited March 27, 2008 by geyper man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest porsche356a Posted March 27, 2008 Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 They're Gen Matte Crocodile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iceberg1459 Posted March 29, 2008 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 whats the difference croc and gator? In matter of quality and price Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 whats the difference croc and gator? In matter of quality and price Both about the same price...different animal...that's all. The important difference to me is whether or not the skin used has the small or large scale pattern. I'm not a big fan of the small "squares" (I can't remember offhand what the proper term for this is). The small squares look too much to me like regular lizard skin. To be honest, my Di-Modell Imperator strap is nicer as "moo croc" than the OEM IWC gen croc AND it's waterproof!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magagne Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 ...To be honest, my Di-Modell Imperator strap is nicer as "moo croc" than the OEM IWC gen croc AND it's waterproof!! ... but be careful, the 3717 is NOT water resistant at all. Pusher are not sealed. This watch don't like water, keep away from it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ra-man333 Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 I have a Di-Modell CrocoChrono (gen croc) on order, but reading the post about 22mm not being a good fit I am not worried! I read a bunch of other posts from people who have a 22mm on the 3717 and are very happy with the fit. Any one else can comment on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 ... but be careful, the 3717 is NOT water resistant at all. Pusher are not sealed. This watch don't like water, keep away from it. I've read the older version without factory AR are not, but the new series with the double AR is...hmmm...when it arrives, we're about to find out. The vendors are saying the new ones can be "waterproofed" which to me means they CAN be waterproofed, but CN quality control means it will be hit and miss without work from a watchmaker. I ordered a 3717-02 (Spitfire Chrono) which uses the same case. The new Doppel (PVD) supposedly uses the same 3717 case in PVD, is supposed to be waterproofed as well. I'll post results of the pressure test if the watch ever arrives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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