Deployment buckle and strap for my 40 mm pilot mark 18 le petit prince.

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum. I just purchased the new IWC 40 mm pilot mark 18 le petit prince Watch and was told that because of the lug and taper size I cannot get a deployment buckle for my watch. Something to do with the thickness. According to IWC my lug and band size is 20/18. I am not sure she really understood my request. I have no problem purchasing a brand new strap with the deployment buckle as a stock item, even if it is for another IWC watch. There have to be IWC straps that are 20 mm with deployment buckles in the line of watches???
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks

Hi PJ, strange indeed and I would say the standard deployant should fit? Aks him to get his 'Dealer Book' and check the sizes and/or just take a deployant and fit it!

Good luck,

Bob

Thanks for your response. It seems the width of the strap would be fine. They are concerned with the thickness of the Santoni strap on the mark xviii vs the thickness of the big pilot Santoni strap.
Cheers
Paul

Aha, well, any IWC dealer should be able to show/test if thickness is and issue. I've seen the new Mk18 a few times and find it hard to believe that it's too thick for a regular deployment? So go to a dealer, but maybe some forum members know, or Tonny, our moderator??!

Kind regards,

Bob

Hi PJ,

You should take into account that the non-buckle strap for a deployant clasp should be shorter than a pin buckle strap. I asked around at my AD and they confirmed that because of the positioning of the clasp, it should be worn closer to the lower lugs so it sits well below the wrist. It could be the case that this is were the taper starts on your normal buckle strap. You can compare the differences in strap size when you look at the Big Pilot vs. Mark straps.

Kind regards,

L.

Hello,
I just got my Big Pilot 5009-16 Le Petit Prince Edition. I was wondering if there are and articles on this forum discussing the accuracy in the different position. ( crown up, crown down, face up, face down ) thanks
Pj

Yes, the lengths of the strap parts are different. Nevertheless I've purchased a 20/18 black Santoni calf strap for my ref. 3705 and wear it on the IWC folding clasp with no problems so it maight be worth a try. My only concern is that the Santoni will take time to break in and be a pleasent wear and as the 3705 is not my daily beater (actually I wear it very, very rarely) this will never happen. But still give your combo a chance!
Best,
Robert