• Apprentice
    4 Jun 2020, 5:52 p.m.

    Anyone know how long IWC generally will have OEM straps for sale after a watch
    is discontinued? I just acquired an IWC Hodinkee Mark XVIII with a unique
    strap, and I'm wondering if I need to buy a spare strap set just in case.
    Thanks in advance.

  • Master
    7 Jun 2020, 11:08 a.m.

    Hi, typically for many years, but for your limited edition I'd buy a spare
    strap the coming year or so and store it in a safe dark place ;-)

    Enjoy your great watch!

    Bob

  • Apprentice
    7 Jun 2020, 4:47 p.m.

    Thanks, will do!

  • Apprentice
    9 Jun 2020, 4:13 p.m.

    I had my original strap break just the toungue retainer straps and was rather
    put out to find that a replacemnt was 450 pounds.

    so i found a strap maker in tokyo who is a true artisan and makes straps with
    lots of interesting materials fine leathers and skins . I chose ray skin which
    was the traditional covering for samurai swords cheaper than an original looks
    great and individulises the watch he also made the small straps for the
    original stap a very fine job indeed.

    so here is the link i can post pictures of mine if
    you are interested

  • Master
    9 Jun 2020, 6:54 p.m.

    Well, I handle it pragmatic. I dismount ALL original straps and put them into
    the box and mount cheap straps, because the prices for so called original
    straps are just crazy !

    The Hodinkee has got the same treatment ?!

  • Master
    10 Jun 2020, 10:03 a.m.

    Nice combination Heiko! Though I agree strap prices are crazy, I did buy it
    with the watch to enjoy, so be it....

  • Master
    10 Jun 2020, 4:36 p.m.

    Well Bob, my view is just a vintage collectors view.
    An example, we can´t order original straps for vintages from the 60s anymore.
    And it is extremelly rare to find authentic straps fortuitously. I have some
    of those original straps, but I would never destroy those rareties during a
    short summer season ?!

    Regards

    Heiko

  • Master
    10 Jun 2020, 4:47 p.m.

    Hello Heiko

    I love your little rendition of The Atomium Building Bruxxels, built out of
    magnets, it is amazing!

    You are very confident in the Amagnetic properties of your ceramic beauty :o)

  • Master
    10 Jun 2020, 5:14 p.m.

    Thank you Mark.

    Those magnets are very strong and I have other tests. A 3239 with magnetic
    protection up to 40.000 A/m and a 3536, with no extra magnetic protection.
    Placed into the magnets, the 3536 accelerated about 4 seconds in ten minutes.

    And I checked a new Richemont movement with silicon components (the blue one
    with glass case back). Due to the silicon parts, it is anti magnetic up to
    120.000 A/m. I Think, IWC would use this type of movement in the near future
    as well ?!

    Regards

    Heiko

  • Master
    10 Jun 2020, 6:46 p.m.

    Heiko, I would love to know more about Richemont's new movement with silicon -
    is it a silicon balance spring? I am only aware of the Baume & Mercier Clifton
    Baumatic BM12 movement that came and quickly went as a result of a patent
    lawsuit.

  • Master
    10 Jun 2020, 7:24 p.m.

    That was/is quite an unclarrified issue, Ben.

    Or not, but that ist such interesting to test an current Clifton about the
    magnetical behavior.

    Could be an agreement, because the first B&M tranche with BM12 and without
    COSC have had an advertising with 1500 Gauss (120.000 A/m), but this one has a
    B&M13 movement and NOT the advertising with 1500 Gauss ?!

    So, that topic motivated me to buy a current Clifton model with COSC and it
    was an exiting moment, as I started the test with the permanent magnets. And
    It was stunning to see that it gets to saturation at aprox 200.000 A/m, a very
    high amount !

    Most probably it has the same movement as the first tranche but now with a
    COSC certification. We can speculate why this can be ?!

    - Agreement to use allready produced parts, and so on .....

    I don´t know the facts yet ?!

    BTW, the Clifton ist an fantastic watch, similar to a JLC !

    Regards

    Heiko

  • Master
    10 Jun 2020, 7:32 p.m.

    Fantastic and interesting observations Heiko.

  • Connoisseur
    27 Sep 2020, 3:05 a.m.

    I am considering a secondhand Ingenieur AMG on a strap, last made about 12
    years ago, and was concerned about
    getting a replacement strap since it is an unusual lug design. IWC confirmed
    straps are still available---and at a reasonably reasonable price!