What do you do with your Portuguese in summertime?

Dirty sweaty jobs no IWC, Seiko K

3 => another bracelet (nt)

This post would seem to validate an assertion that I have made in the IWC Forum on a number of occasions: that IWC should make available an optional steel bracelet for the Portuguese line (also for the Portofino line).

Your thoughts?

Cheers to all!

Donald

5, 2. Call me reactionary>

but Portuguese was born with leather strap and this is the way I want to wear it. I don't see chances to wear a Portuguese with bracelet, simply is not its business.

There are so many alternatives outside for summertime.

Regards,

roberto

mostly no 5

Integrated bracelets

The new bracelets by IWC are all more or less integrated with the watch, making the whole a unity of design. Maybe IWC considers strap replacing bracelets as a bit inferior from that unity point-of-view, I don't know. These bracelets have some kind of cover to hide the connection between bracelet and watch. Sometimes the points of that cover at the side of the watch stick out a bit, not looking very nice. It certainly is very difficult to find a design of a bracelet that matches the watch perfectly. But that also makes the whole interesting: may I state that perfection sometimes is a bit boring?

Kind regards,
Paul, wearing steel VC Pilot's watch

Trying to 'bite my tongue'...

I actually wear my Portugese watches in all conditions, and the humidity of the summers here in New England and New York are brutal. I will admit that I favor Ingenieurs, GSTs, and Aquatimers for outdoor activies - but will occasionally picnic and enjoy routine outdoor summer activities with a Portuguese from time-to-time with no fear of sweat or moisture.

In fact, I have had the same strap on my 5022 Ardoise Portuguese Perpetual for over 4 years now. It continues to develop a rich, deep color that I enjoy (see photos) - and humidity and sweat is mostly to credit for this. The most dramatic was a 4 day visit to NYC in August, 2007 with 100 degree weather. I sweat all the way through the strap. Now the strap is even softer and better looking than ever.

The thought of swapping/fitting alternate straps or bracelets on a Portuguese bothers me a bit. I think the Portuguese line is the best line in the entire collection - and there's something that's just wrong with seeing a "Frankenstien" Portuguese with an Ingenieur or Pilot bracelet on it.

It's your watch - do what you like to it. Why not simply wear an Ingenieur, Pilot on Bracelet, a GST, or an Aquatimer in those conditions? or, leave it at home.

Portuguese Perpetual by Year 3 of ownership - dark, rich color strap

Watch is new, the strap is almost a honey color....

Wow that strap has aged very nicely indeed

2

I handle it just like you, Paul. The leather straps are a bit reserved for cooler circumstances and evenings.

On my last (diving) holiday trip I wore an AT during the day (of course). At night it was a leather strap. Although not connected to my Portuguese - it would have matched perfectly with a marine environment. But my St Ex BP turned out to be even more versatile combined with casual clothes.

Regards
Andreas, with his Titanium GST AT lying on the desk because today even a bracelet is too uncomfortable

Trying to 'bite my tongue'...Paul just bit his !

But never mind Paul, as it seems like the forum is aligned on one thing here - that the Portuguese is meant to wear, come rain, snow, ice or heat ! And we see the legendry quality of genuine IWC straps being praised too...so IMHO (and if I may, as they say in the old home country language "piss my straltjie mee" - then I say, dont franken them Portuguese watches of yours with a bracelet - take Richards advise here, and get / wear an Engineur (it will suit you too........) Best regards
Mark

Wear it, darken it and then pitch it...

I would never put a bracelet on a Portuguese.

When a strap gets to be a tad odoriferous then its just time to get a new strap, not before. I like the patina of a darkened strap.

Bill

It must be the UK ...

... summer doesn't seem to make much difference. I don't have a bracelet to go with my gold Portuguese watches.

Never thought of it as a problem in the summer > >

All is right with the universe!...

Here is a posting from Nad with a wrist shot outside the vehicle...in motion. It's good to hear from you! :<))

Best regards,
Jim

Thanks Jim, LOL....!!!!! BUT......................

......I must say that this is a much older photo, before we all promised that we wouldn't do this sort of thing, LOL!

Cheers mate :-)

Summer strap!

I like bright colored straps in the summer, so I wear my 5001 with fabric starps in red or il light blue, and recently with a light blue croco strap with red stitching, in this case in air conditioned areas!

Promises are made to be broken....LOL

Great combi (!) loving it

Good combination!
finally someone who dares
GOOD FOR YOU
best regards
Bas

Nos. 1 and 2 for me --

Can't find a decent strap in my area that I would want to change with the original. I work in an A/C'd office all day, so its no big deal. The only time I won't wear mine is playing golf, but that's no good for a PPC anyway!