Big Pilot Strap option

So I've done a few searches to look at Big Pilot strap options, was wondering if all of you with IWC and custom straps could post pics in the thread to give me a few ideas?

thanks

Alex

What is wrong with the original strap? I would never buy anything different than the one that is intended by the IWC designer - usually there is a concept behind, and so far, it always made sense to me.

Nothing wrong with it at all, I'm planning on picking up the nylon one from the ceramic BP for use during the summer to save the croco wearing out quickly and using the croco in winter.

I'm used to buying my watches on bracelet and having a selection of OEM straps to dress up or dress down the watch.

just wondered if people had some good combo's like the green military style from the miramar 5019 on the 5009? or custom combos that enhance the BP

The fabric / leather strap for the Miramar did not wear well for me on chrono. It frayed around the pin holes. The leather lining is not as robust as the conventional leather straps.

I have struggled to find an alternative for the Miramar chrono.

The thickness of the strap is very important for the Big Pilot. Buffalos evolved over millions of years for the sole purpose of providing the hide for the 5002. The black version on the 5004 and later just doesn't do it for me. I have several redundant and expensive straps lying around in a drawer.

A decent NATO strap might do the trick during the summer, although I haven't put one on my Big Pilot.

thanks RAVE for posting the pictures, the brown looks great will have to add that too the list. sounds like ill drop the fabric one off the list wasn't sure about the colour with the BP anyway

Hello Alex - which BP are you thinking of finding a strap for? I had switched out the strap of my 500401 for the BP edition DFB (500432) strap but eventually went back to the original. It looks like it is woven but is embossed leather.

Ralph, you're a truly funny guy, LOL

Hi Ben

A 5009-01 BP my first IWC :)

Very nice Alex, this 500401 was my first!

Thanks Ben. Will post pics once it arrives. I have been drooling over the BP for about 8 years so this has been a long time coming. Other watch purchases kept getting in the way.

I would have the same question for the IW502702 (Spitfire annual calendar BP).  With all due respect for the Buffalo, leather straps on watches develop a nasty smell if the wearer gets the strap wet.  I wash my hands a lot (occupational necessity...and I don’t want my strap to collect the nasties I trying to wash off).  When I purchased an IWC Timezoner last year, forum members suggested a milanese strap from a portofino.  After the local AD extracted the bling from the milanese to give it a brushed look, it was a perfect alternative for me.  Another forum member in Europe had pictures of this elegant solution and that persuaded me to pull the trigger and get the Timezoner (it’s now my favorite IWC watch).  The same option might fit on the BP but since the BP is bigger, I am concerned I might not like that solution as much.  

Are the fabric strap from the top gun BP from prior editions leather free?  Those might have the thickness needed to counter the bulk of the BP and could be washed periodically.  

I got an original brown with bronze rivets, but also got olive green nylon and black leather (embossed to look like nylon with gray stitching, they call that one for Top Gun.

Here is mine made by Combat Straps in Montreal.