IWC Aquatimer velcro strap...

[buddy13]

I want to buy a velcro strap for my new model IWC AT 2000m. I understand there are 2 different lengths available...I 'only' have 6.6 inch wrists but since I intend to use the watch in actual diving (over 5mm wetsuit and 3mm gloves) I do need some good extra length...so my questions are:

- Would the short one provide enough length to fasten the watch securely over above mentioned equipment?
- Would the long one look too long (out of place) on my 6.5 inch wrists when I am out of the water?

Sincere thanks for any help in advance !

[chefcook]

Just based on speculation:


6.6" equal 167.6mm. With additional 5mm wetsuit and 3mm gloves you end up at roughly 218mm or 8.6". Add another .5" for security one ends up at 9.1" / 231mm.
The watch has a length from lug to lug of about 50mm, so with a 250mm strap it is 300mm in total. I'd assume the remaining 70mm to the 9" wrist-suit-glove combo is enough to fasten the watch securely.

On the other hand 320mm might be a little bit too much to wear it without a wet suit.

[buddy13]

Just based on speculation:


6.6" equal 167.6mm. With additional 5mm wetsuit and 3mm gloves you end up at roughly 218mm or 8.6". Add another .5" for security one ends up at 9.1" / 231mm.
The watch has a length from lug to lug of about 50mm, so with a 250mm strap it is 300mm in total. I'd assume the remaining 70mm to the 9" wrist-suit-glove combo is enough to fasten the watch securely.

On the other hand 320mm might be a little bit too much to wear it without a wet suit.

Thanks for your kind reply. So the short comes in at 250mm and the long is 320mm long? If so I agree with you and think that 250mm will be enough...

Some pics would still be very helpful though !

[chefcook]

Yep, the shorter is 250mm, the long version is 320mm.

[buddy13]

Yep, the shorter is 250mm, the long version is 320mm.

Thanks! I'll go with the short one I guess...

[trplthrt]

I just picked up this strap for my Aquatimer... I'm a bit frustrated that the strap doesn't wrap around the entire wrist.. I guess between the standard length (IWA36516) and the long version (IWA36517) would be perfect, but right now one is too short and one is too long!

All you velcro wearers, I guess you just get used to the strap feeling 'unbalanced' since it doesn't fully wrap around and leaves velcro exposed?

Also - has anyone removed the velcro and swapped out to nato? Are the screw bars on the links removable?

-trp

[HR F1]

I just picked up this strap for my Aquatimer... I'm a bit frustrated that the strap doesn't wrap around the entire wrist.. I guess between the standard length (IWA36516) and the long version (IWA36517) would be perfect, but right now one is too short and one is too long!

All you velcro wearers, I guess you just get used to the strap feeling 'unbalanced' since it doesn't fully wrap around and leaves velcro exposed?

Also - has anyone removed the velcro and swapped out to nato? Are the screw bars on the links removable?

-trp

I picked up the standard sized velcro for my Aquatimers a couple months ago so I could have all three options available for them and I really like the way the velcro balances out the watch. What size is your wrist? Mine is 7 1/4" and it wears well for me (some of the velcro is exposed but nothing bothersome):




There are owners who have removed the screw bars to use natos and aftermarket straps. From what I've read, the screwbars are quite difficult to remove short of cutting them off and expensive to replace but once they are removed, you can use aftermarket screwbars to mount the natos and aftermarket straps.

Here are a few photos I've found on here and on other IWC forums of Aquatimer owners who have used the velcro endlinks to add aftermarket strap options:

[trplthrt]

Thanks for the post and pictures! My wrist size is probably a touch smaller than yours and I guess I just need to get used to some of the velcro being exposed. I can be very neurotic so my instant reaction of it not looking balanced kind of irritates me (man wouldn't it be perfect if it just fit the whole strap when wrapped!). I will agree, it is comfortable to wear however... insanely priced, but I will probably keep it.

I would love to get some aftermarket straps around these links but I am worried about getting those screw bars off.. I see your post and I found one other where folks needed to boil it in hot water multiple times to soften the glue used on them. What a pain. Not prepared to strip yet another set of screwdrivers trying to remove it, but it sure would be great to be able to. I'm thinking a two piece zulu would be awesome.

Are you familiar with anyone making aftermarket straps for this strap system?

[HR F1]

Are you familiar with anyone making aftermarket straps for this strap system?

Any good aftermarket strap maker should be able to produce a strap that fits with the quick-change endlinks. I'll have to measure mine again to be sure, but if I recall correctly, the velcro width is 18mm or 19mm, so you'd have to get straps in that size or if you look again at the white Aquatimer I posted above, the owner used a wider strap but notched it to fit.

[trplthrt]

Sorry I meant with the quick change system included... outside of the option of trying to remove these pins and working with the endlinks.