I own the IWC 3717 Pilot watch and want to pair it with a dark brown leather strap. My wrist measures 6+ inches around so I need a short strap. I also want a deployment clasp because I will be taking off the watch off frequently.
There are two straps that I fancy. The first picture shows my ideal strap (pictured on my IWC 3717). It is the strap from the Big Pilot. Dark brown leather, off white stitching, rivets and a deployment clasp. The strap measures 22mm wide and 190mm overall in length (135x55mm). The strap is too long for my wrist. The strap starting from the 6:00 position runs all the way to the 12:00 position when worn to the correct “tightness” on my wrist. The AD claims this is the XS size for a Big Pilot. I was under the impression the XS overall strap length was closer to 170mm for deployment buckle straps.
I also feel the deployment clasp pushing into my wrist. Will the leather break in overtime and be less of an irritant?
The next picture shows the 21mm St. Exupery dark brown buffalo ref. 21700 sized XS. I am not sure if the strap is pin/tang specific or deployment clasp specific. I get the sense it is the former. Does the strap come in a deployment specific design? I think the measurement was 170mm overall (105x65mm). I am not sure of that (apologies). What are the overall lengths of the XS deployment style? What about the lengths at the 12:00 positions and 6:00 positions? Is the deployment clasp a smaller size for the 21mm Saint Expery than for the 22mm Big Pilot strap?
I am sure some of you are wondering why I don’t just inquire with my AD. They have been a bit slow in responding and I get the sense they want to sell me straps they have in stock. Other than that they have been fantastic.
Some of you may be wondering why I am cramming a 22mm strap into a 21mm space – I am in love with the strap with the rivets (first picture). Which brings me to the 3rd picture – it seems someone has put a black strap with rivets onto the 3717. Does that strap also come in dark brown buffalo leather? Is that indeed a 21mm strap?
Andy Stevens : I wanted to ask these questions outside of your thread. Thanks so much for your advice.
Thanks for your help guys.