Alternative strap for Ingenieur AMG Ceramic

Hi all.
First time post for me and it's a request which I hope someone will have some knowledge on....
I have an Ingenieur AMG Black Ceramic, ref 3225. Although I love the rubber / calfskin inlay strap I'd really like to have the option of an all rubber strap to fully take advantage of the AMGs ruggedness and water resistance!
Looking at my 2014/15 Yearbook I thought the strap on the Ingenieur Double Chrono, ref 3865 looked ideal but IWC sales tell me there is no all rubber strap suitable for the AMG...
I'm not saying I don't believe them but... Has anyone tried this?
Thanks.

Hi Jay,

Congrats on your AMG Black Ceramic if it's a recent purchase or hope you've been putting the watch to good use if you've had it for a while now.

I have the 322401 and I looked into the same option of an all-rubber strap at a boutique. Basically, if you look at the backside of the watch and if the strap release pushpin is on the right of the strap, then it should fit any watch that does not have the strap pushpin in the center of the case back.

I tested the strap the 3865 uses and the push release pin matches and can be used. Perhaps the IWC sales person meant there isn't an all-rubber strap for the AMG because it is designed for the 3865 and so not designed with the AMG in mind?

Hope this helps a bit.

Hi Francis,

Yes that helps a lot - thanks very much. My pushpin is on the right hand side and I've found a photo of the back of the 3865 on the internet which also has the pushpin on the right so it looks quite promising.
I'm tempted to ask if IWC would be prepared to send one to my local agent to try before I buy!
So just to confirm, have you actually had the all rubber strap fitted to your 322401 (great watch by the way - I tried one on at the London boutique and it looked amazing - just too pricey for me though!!)
My AMG is a recent purchase and I love it. Aside from a rubber strap making it a really practical, all use watch, it'll also give a whole new look!

Thanks again,

Jason

Hi Jay,

Yes I have tried the all-rubber strap on my 322401 and it fits perfectly and feels good - it mentally feels good too knowing I can contact water and not worry about the calfskin splitting from the rubber base, which has happened since I have gone swimming, diving, showering, even the sauna, etc with my watch, so maybe I'm asking for it. Like you, I'm tempted to use my watch for more than just telling time, although I probably should treat the case a little more like a baby.

The two main reasons I didn't get the strap are:
a) it's really expensive for two pieces of rubber, though I'm sure it's very durable and as you stated, it is way more rugged in the sense that it is just one piece.
b) in combination with (a), it just did not look good attached to the 322401, probably a combination of the patterned CF body clashing with the sleek all-black-matte no pattern finish. The original strap matches and enhances the look of the overall watch perfectly.

But I think it will look great with your 3225 since it might seamlessly blend into the case. The main issue with the look of the strap that doesn't match the sleekness of the 3225 and 322401 (IMO) are the ridges that stick out of the middle of the band, which does make it look more rugged.

You could just ask your local agent if he can remove the straps of a 3865 (if he has one there) and slip them onto your watch. Much faster this way than ordering a strap and waiting for it to arrive. I went into a boutique and asked and they let me try it this way.

I posted some pics of my watch after I bought it here: www.iwc.com/forum/en/discussion/64681/?page=1#post_497705

Some pictures of it at an F1 race day event:
www.iwc.com/forum/en/discussion/67029/

Congrats on your recent purchase! Take some pictures and if you do try/buy the 3865 strap, post those too! Hope your watch accompanies you and writes lots of stories with you!

Hi Francis,

Thanks again that's all really good to know. I definitely want to try the rubber strap now - I think it'll blend seemlessly, but I am expecting it to be pretty expensive for what it is... Like you I want to have the option to swap to a strap I don't have to worry about getting wet.
I don't think my local agent has a 3865 in stock but I'm hoping that IWC will be happy to send them a strap so I can try before making the investment!
Your watch looks great, I really loved the carbon when I tried it on. It's a very individual watch so I can see how only the 'original' strap looks right on it. The green stitching just compliments it perfectly.

Can't work out how to add a photo - I'm a bit inexperienced at this stuff! I didn't want to delay my response any longer so I'll work it out later! I'll add to the post if I'm successful with the strap!

Best regards

Jason

Try asking for the rubber strap for Titanium Dual-Time.

I did the opposite. I have the Titanium Dual-Time Ingenieur with an AMG black rubber strap with rubber in-lay. So, I know the reverse should be possible. :-)

That's really good to know thanks Kelvin. I'm going to get in touch with customer services over the weekend and see if they'll send me one. Watch this space!

Jay, Kelvin definitely knows his IWC stuff so can't go wrong with his advice. Hope you get some good news from customer service.

Hi Jay,
The reference you want is: IWA66276
Leo

Thanks Leo and thanks all. This is great stuff - glad I joined the forum already! A quick internet search on that reference shows a few photo's of the rubber strap on ceramic AMGs - job done!

Jason

Ok time to post again - hopefully with a couple of photo's this time! Firstly, success with the all rubber strap. As you can see from the 2nd photo (hopefully) my mission to obtain one was successful!
Colour wise it's a very close match. Size wise there is a very slight difference at the ends that join the case - I'm guessing that this is because the rubber edge sits slightly proud of the inlay on the 'proper' strap making it just slightly larger than the all rubber strap. I'd also guess that this is why IWC say there is not an all rubber strap for the AMG - they would want it to be perfect! However, it's close enough for me. It looks like it belongs and only an IWC fan would know it's not the 'standard' strap!
Out of the two straps I still prefer the rubber / calfskin as it's a stunning strap (IMO) and is likely what I'll use most of the time but the all rubber gives me a completely different look and the practicality of being able to wear the watch regardless of activity without fear of ruining the strap - I'm very happy with it...
I'm going to order a spring bar remover from a well known internet store so I can change the strap as often as I like. I find it a bit odd that IWC supplies a pair of pin pushers in the box but not the spring bar remover...
Leo - you were spot on with the reference, thanks again.

Jason

Nicely done. I think it looks pretty good and you are right, it does change the complete look of the watch. I have the 3225-04 and I think the same option would suit it as well. It is hard to tell from looking at the pictures that the fit isn't perfect. Enjoy.

Nice job Jay and great combination! The strap really does look like it could've been made for your 3225 and I really like how the middle section of the case (where the strap links to the case) looks just like it was part of the strap and vice versa - fantastic pairing"

You said you still prefer the original strap more but be interesting to know in practice which strap actually gets more wrist time haha.

Thanks both.
Jarrod - I would say yes, absolutely go for it. It will look great and will be a striking alternative to the brown alligator! And... at least you can order one fully confident that it will fit!
Francis - it's interesting that you should say that as the rubber strap has already grown on me since it was fitted - and I liked it a whole lot straight away!
I'd also quite like to see my AMG with the rubber / black aligator fitted to the Constant Force Tourbillon amongst others - unfortunately my AD doesn't carry anything fitted with that strap so this would have to wait until I next pay a visit to London - any excuse to go back to the boutique!
One watch, 3 straps... Now that would make for an interesting choice!!