Leather strap color depends on lighting

I purchased a Portofino Chronograph from an IWC boutique in Singapore about 45
days ago. I requested the black band, but the band is a dark brown like a
bourdeaux color. I went to the boutique in Bangkok about a week after I bought
it and they told me it is definitely a "black" band because it has black
stitching. I am really disappointed with this. I have emailed IWC Singapore
and USA and noone will even reply to my message. It is truly dissapointing
that IWC wont even answer me and stand behind their products. I feel like I
will have to buy a new $400 band and make sure it is properly dyed this time.

Sorry to hear about your experience.

The best way to be sure is to cross reference the number on the inside of the
strap to IWC's internal catalog.

Try calling IWC Concierge.

Thanks for the reply. When I called concierge they instructed me to go back to
the boutique I purchased it from. I was already not in Singapore. I will call
concierge again. This is the reason for paying 6k and
buying directly from a boutique. So that I can be taken care of. Not the case
so far from IWC.

EDIT: IWC Singapore concierge replied to my email today after a phone call
with a really great representative. She is contacting the boutique for me.
Hoping for the best.

From your picture, the band is obviously not black.

Were you present at the Singapore boutique when the watch was purchased?

If so, why didn't you question the color at the time of purchase?

If it was sent from the boutique to you site unseen then I understand your
concern.

If the later is true, the least you might expect is a nice discount toward a
black band.

Thanks for the comment.

I understand your point, but have you ever seen an item which looks different
colors in different light? I purchased the item inside under flourescent
light. The above picture is in direct sunlight. When the band is not under
sunlight it looks black.

Regardless, I asked for a black band at an IWC boutique. I have a receipt
saying I purchased a black band. The box the strap came in said it was a black
band. So either IWC poorly dyed the band or mislabled it and put it in the
wrong box. Either way it is a QC issue at IWC factory.

Picture of the watch under interior
light.

I am in the lighting business and fully aware of color perception under
different light sources.

I have a pair of "black boots" that vary in color depending on lighting
conditions.

Hope it all works out for you.

TLDR: The band is black according to IWC and may appear different colors in
different lighting. IWC replaced band because I was not satisfied. Excellent
customer service and a lifelong customer gained.

I contacted IWC Singapore who assured me the watch strap, the one in the first
picture, is indeed black. According to IWC, the straps are hand made and, as a
result, are not as black as machine made straps. Thus, straps appear different
colors in different lighting. I contacted the Asia support and told them I was
not happy with this explanation. After a couple weeks of back and forth, I
began working with the manager of customer care in Asia, Sheue. She very
patiently and diligently went to the boutique in Singapore, and took pictures
of every black strap in different lighitng conditions. I was then able to
select a replacement. The replacement was then sent to the boutique in Manila
which is very conviently across the street from my apartment. I was able to
meet the manager here in Manila and have the strap swapped. This is the
customer service one pays for when buying high quality multi-generational
items, and this is why IWC will have me as a lifelong customer.

Thanks for the update and I'm glad it worked out for you, really great to
hear.