Straps options for Le Petit Prince Mark XVII

Thanks to the 1881 Heritage IWC Flagship BT and Pacific Place IWC BT, tried some straps on the LPP Mark XVII last week and here are the pictures for your reference and creative sparks!

[](s1351.photobucket.com/user/KYCF/media/IMG_6274_zps8c430f4e.jpg.html)
TONE ON TONE

[](s1351.photobucket.com/user/KYCF/media/IMG_6275_zps7846e41e.jpg.html)
HIGH CONTRAST

[](s1351.photobucket.com/user/KYCF/media/IMG_6286_zps69eeff40.jpg.html)

[](s1351.photobucket.com/user/KYCF/media/IMG_6276_zps497fbedc.jpg.html)

[](s1351.photobucket.com/user/KYCF/media/IMG_6283_zps6b2b82e4.jpg.html)

[](s1351.photobucket.com/user/KYCF/media/IMG_6288_zpse9831ead.jpg.html)

[](s1351.photobucket.com/user/KYCF/media/IMG_6290_zps1d1a3f7b.jpg.html)
On the wrist of my beloved one.

[](s1351.photobucket.com/user/KYCF/media/IMG_6298_zpsc1fa52e2.jpg.html)

Look forward to more bold combinations!

Kelvin F.

I like the Brown buffalo rivet strap !

Lots of nice choices there. While I like the light/medium brown alligator, the one I'd most like to see it on is..... a Mark XVII bracelet!

I may have to make a trek to the NYC Boutique to try to see this combination.

well, one of the Mark XII variations was already in a similar combination...so yellow is not completely OUT OF THE BLUE...

right??

cheers,
yitzhak

I like the orange and the blue. Yellow? Not for me.

The yellow is special, for a short while as a fun watch. The problem is, how to keep it looking crisp. Screaming gleaming red would look nice too, but in the end the original calfs skin strap looks best. I wonder whether the bracelet doesn't look too massive on it.

Kind regards,
Paul

Very nice options all of them. Maybe my favourite is the havanna aligator one. One question, how many mm. are the straps size for the new Mark XVII?. Are they 20 or 22 mm.?

I love the Blue very much.

I notice that the IWC engraving on the buckle is centred. Is this new ? All my ones have the IWC engraved off centre.

Although mine hasn't arrived yet, I'm toying with the idea of a dark blue strap with white stitching...

It's the same size as the regular Mk XVII, so why should it look too massive?

I'm undecided yet whether it looks too massive on the regular Mark XVII too. Comparing it to the previous series: the bracelet looked perfect to me on the 3717 and a bit too massive on the Mark XVI. Comparing the 3777 and the Mark XVII on the bracelet, the Mark XVII looks rather good too. Just toying with the idea to pick up a Mark XVII, on the bracelet or the strap.

Kind regards,
Paul

The original strap is the best, soft like butter. :)

Cheers,
sc

Hi Denes,

First..the idea of a blue strap with contrast stitching also appeals to me. Other options (after market unfortunately) I would like to experiment with is a Kevlar look in a nice shade of grey w/contrast similar to the one used on the LE 3717 Swiss Patrolle . One thing I have seen under certain lighting conditions which I believe is caused by the AR coatings, is a slight Silvery/Grey hue evenly distributed over the dial. That's why grey may turn out to be a very complimentary pairing. We shall see.

Next...I vision the MARK XVII bracelet to be a teriffic match with the LPP especially when you factor in the Rhodium highlights of the dial. IMHO, this will flow beautifully add great character to the overall look. Can't wait to see how yours turns out. To answer a previous question, the strap/lug size of the LPP is the same as the standard XVII...20mm.

You must be counting the hours with anticipation. Hang in there, the Prince will soon arrive !

Andy

20 mm lug to lug. That's why most Santoni straps are not suitable. For ladies, they might even consider the Satin ones.

Hello SC

Can't agree more...the original Calfskin one is very comfortable to wear. Very good choice. Having said that, it is so soft that you can tell it has been worn even after a few hours' wearing. You'll see the mark on the strap that was created by the pressure against the pin buckle.

Kelvin F.

Another positive besides the look and softness of the St.Exupery calfskin is that because of it's " buttery " texture, it soaks up body oils easily and gets darker with age. It will take on a very appealing distressed look which enhances the whole package. I rotate one on my 3717 and it really creates a beautiful vintage styling.

Some interesting choices but I think that standard strap is the best look.

I gotta say I think the original does look best. Interesting options though.

Andy,

The waiting is not as painful as it could be, I still have the new 3239 to look at. Its movement has now settled into a rhythm of +1.3s/day, so no complaints there.

As for the blue strap with white stitching, there's a small leather shop here in Budapest, who have done some custom work for me before. So once the LPP arrives, I'll take the strap to them and ask for as good a replica as they can make, but in a deep blue calfskin matching the dial.

Btw, you know that English is not my mother tongue, so what do you call someone whose profession is to craft small leather items like belts, straps, purses, etc.? Leathersmith sounds convoluted to me, cordwainer somewhat antiquated.