Deployment Question

Hi All,

I recently bought a Spitfire Chrono Laureus Edition and while the tang buckle works fine, I also got an (aftermarket but identical to the genuine) IWC deployment to fit to the strap.

Having managed to do this myself yesterday evening (very proud!), I was a bit disappointed with how it felt on the wrist - While the size is perfect and the position of the buckle is fine, the metal part of the deployment is actually next to the skin (rather than between the two leather strap parts, as on an Omega I own) and this is not that comfortable.

Is this how it should be (I'm annoyed at myself here for not having taken a photo to post)?

Also, comparing the set up to my Omega (which comes with a deployment as standard and therefore a slightly different type of strap), the clasp is "upside down" (or perhaps "the wrong way round" is a better description). I guess I could change the long part of the strap for the short part to fix this, but if the metal is still near the skin, I'm not sure I'll actually use the deployment at all.

Perhaps a proper deployment strap is needed? But then I lose the effect of the wonderful navy alligator strap the watch is on.

Thanks for any pointers anyone can give!

D.

I have both deployant clasps and pin buckles. I would switch back to the pin buckle, it is lighter and most of the time more comfortable. Tinkering with the strap comes with a risk, I would only use the features that are standard delivered by the manufacturer.

Kind regards,
Paul

IWC deployant buckles are single fold and require specific straps that have lengths more suited for such buckles. Other manufacturers use butterfly buckles. I have a watch which I changed to deployant with a suitable strap. Result was the watch was less inclined to rotate around the wrist and the weight of the watch was dissipated by the deployant buckle holding it in position.
I would suggest try finding a dealer who can let you try a watch or two with pin and deployant buckle. Then consider a purchase of deployant type strap.

Google IWC Straps 2009 PDF. No newer list has crept on to the net but it will give you an idea as to the choices available by colour and also note the lengths staring at XS S and XL whether for pin or deployant. Your dealer will be able to obtain straps for you.

Thanks for the input, both.

The deployment in as much as it's a single fold is in fact the same as the one used on my Omega, the difference (confirmed by looking online at various photos) seems to just be how it it connected to the strap wherein the IWC ones do sit with the metal 'fold' of the clasp against the skin.

Browsing this forum I found a tip that said to try wearing the watch upside down (i.e. with the 12 o clock at the bottom of your wrist) to see if the deployment works for you in that direction.

It was definitely better and more comfortable that way, just not sure I'm ready to go to the lengths of changing both strap parts around. The deployment was more comfortable than the pin buckle, but am thinking of simply going back to the latter.

Problem with the pin is that three holes from the smallest is a bit too large for my wrist and two holes from the smallest is a bit too small. I really don't want to butcher the strap by making another hole...

Anyway, am delighted with the IWC and think it's a great watch. Really glad to have got the Laureus Spitfire rather than the standard one, too. The blue is exquisite.

DPG,

Just for Political Correctness, and not a criticism, the term is Deployant, not Deployment. If you try to google info, it's bet to use the correct terminology.