Resizing the 5167 Aquanaut rubber strap - tutorial

[belltown999]

Found it online Gus and ordered. Thanks!

[Shikar]

Thank for the tip.

Should be invaluable when my watch gets here tomorrow.....it's incoming and with FedEx tonight.

Regards.


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[subtona]

Originally Posted by belltown999

Found it online Gus and ordered. Thanks!

your welcome

Originally Posted by Shikar

Thank for the tip.

Should be invaluable when my watch gets here tomorrow.....it's incoming and with FedEx tonight.

Regards.


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congratulations

[Shikar]

The tutorial works and thanks for the congratulations.

Regards.




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[APristi]

if cutting only 1 slot , is it better to cut the slot on the 12 o'clock side or the 6 o'clock side ?

i currently have equal cut slots on the 2 sides of the rubber strap

[SaddleSC]

Originally Posted by APristi

if cutting only 1 slot , is it better to cut the slot on the 12 o'clock side or the 6 o'clock side ?

i currently have equal cut slots on the 2 sides of the rubber strap

For the best centering of the clasp on the wrist, it is usually better for the 6 o'clock side to be slightly shorter.

[Tzehou]

Originally Posted by SaddleSC

For the best centering of the clasp on the wrist, it is usually better for the 6 o'clock side to be slightly shorter.

So example, it would be better if I cut 3 slots at the 12 o'clock side + 1 slot at the 6 o'clock side instead of cutting 2 slots on each sides?

Would appreciate if those whom had cut their straps can confirm.

Many thanks.

[MrJ320]

Originally Posted by Tzehou

So example, it would be better if I cut 3 slots at the 12 o'clock side + 1 slot at the 6 o'clock side instead of cutting 2 slots on each sides?

Would appreciate if those whom had cut their straps can confirm.

Many thanks.

It would be the other way around. You would want to cut 1 slot from the 12 o'clock side and 3 slots from the 6 o'clock side as by having a shorter strap on the 6 o'clock side it centers the clasp better (at least for me anyways).

Right now I have 8 slots remaining on the 12 o'clock side and 6 slots remaining on the 6 o'clock side instead of 7 and 7, and that centers the clasp almost perfectly for me.

[Tzehou]

Originally Posted by MrJ320

It would be the other way around. You would want to cut 1 slot from the 12 o'clock side and 3 slots from the 6 o'clock side as by having a shorter strap on the 6 o'clock side it centers the clasp better (at least for me anyways).

Right now I have 8 slots remaining on the 12 o'clock side and 6 slots remaining on the 6 o'clock side instead of 7 and 7, and that centers the clasp almost perfectly for me.

Ah.... I see. Many thanks for the clarifications mate. Appreciated. I'm thinking of getting the 5167 too and my ad is helping me currently to source for a unit.

[Jabberjaw]

Take it to an AD. Not worth a $300 mistake !!

[GB-man]

Good god just cut 1 at a time you've nothing to lose lol

[gregvisser]

When I bought mine, my AD insisted that the right way was an equal cut. He says he had done heaps this way. I pushed back and we compromised with 1 more segment on the 12 o clock side. Seems to be a perfect balance although I might need to cut another segment out since it is just a bit too loose. I suspect I'll go for the 12 o clock side and end up with a balanced configuration.


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[Tzehou]

Thanks for the inputs. Hope to hear from more owners as there seems to be some variations on how to cut in order to get the clasp centered on the wrist

[MrJ320]

Originally Posted by Tzehou

Thanks for the inputs. Hope to hear from more owners as there seems to be some variations on how to cut in order to get the clasp centered on the wrist

Definitely cut one slot at a time would be my suggestion as well, but start with the 6 o'clock side as you would want that to be the shorter side to help center the clasp. All the best with your search for the 5167.

[p_mcgee]

Thanks for the tip, will be putting it to use later this week!

[lapince]

Great thread, even if I don't have one. For the Winter/summer difference, I totally relate as my wrists do increase/decrease rapidly either depending on temperature or being on a plane for a few hours, but since you say that straps are 250$ I would definitely buy a 2nd one have one fitted in summer time and the other in winter time, like this you have a perfect fit in every season, as when my watches are not tightly fitted and dangle even slightly, the scratch/bump factor is much more important.

[Tzehou]

Originally Posted by lapince

Great thread, even if I don't have one. For the Winter/summer difference, I totally relate as my wrists do increase/decrease rapidly either depending on temperature or being on a plane for a few hours, but since you say that straps are 250$ I would definitely buy a 2nd one have one fitted in summer time and the other in winter time, like this you have a perfect fit in every season, as when my watches are not tightly fitted and dangle even slightly, the scratch/bump factor is much more important.

Haas... Like you comments. Might be popping by Paris in oct 14. Hope to visit some nice PP and AP boutiques when there

[cyhawk]

Do people care to post their wrist size and how many segments they have on each side? My watch shows up Friday or Monday. I have a 6" wrist, thought I could avoid a painfully long fitting process with a little help from you owners. I did just have the dealer order an extra strap already . . . I figure if I ever pass the watch on that it is a given I'll need a new one because of my small wrist size, might as well have it ready to go.

This will be my first Patek and first watch in this stratosphere of watches. Can't wait!

[MrJ320]

Originally Posted by cyhawk

Do people care to post their wrist size and how many segments they have on each side? My watch shows up Friday or Monday. I have a 6" wrist, thought I could avoid a painfully long fitting process with a little help from you owners. I did just have the dealer order an extra strap already . . . I figure if I ever pass the watch on that it is a given I'll need a new one because of my small wrist size, might as well have it ready to go.

This will be my first Patek and first watch in this stratosphere of watches. Can't wait!

Congrats in advance! My wrist is 6.5" and I have 8 slots remaining on one end, and 6 slots remaining on the other end.

However, if you are picking up from the dealer why not have them size it for you?

Cheers,
James

[cyhawk]

Originally Posted by MrJ320

However, if you are picking up from the dealer why not have them size it for you?

I hope that they will size it for me. It is what I would call a watch broker, not a Patek AD. Having read this thread, I may know more about sizing it than they will, I have no idea. But regardless, cutting one segment at a time sounds time intensive, I thought I could get an idea of where I'd be so that I can narrow it down a little bit from the beginning before starting the one at a time thing.

[hughiee2]

Originally Posted by MrJ320

Congrats in advance! My wrist is 6.5" and I have 8 slots remaining on one end, and 6 slots remaining on the other end.

However, if you are picking up from the dealer why not have them size it for you?

Cheers,
James

My wrist is 6.5" to 6.6" and I have 9 slots on the twelve o'clock side and 7 slots on the opposing side. It is a bit loose now and if I were to balance it out, I would trim one slot from the 6 o'clock side.

As a general rule based on TRF members' experience, the Aquanaut sits more balanced with +2 slots on the 12 o'clock side of the strap. For example: 10 x 8 or 9 x 7 or 8 x 6, etc.

Thanks Puffy for illustrating the strap sizing with the tools as recommended. I would recommend scotch magic tape on the metal deployant clasps as you remove and install the spring bars.

[Tzehou]

Originally Posted by cyhawk

Do people care to post their wrist size and how many segments they have on each side? My watch shows up Friday or Monday. I have a 6" wrist, thought I could avoid a painfully long fitting process with a little help from you owners. I did just have the dealer order an extra strap already . . . I figure if I ever pass the watch on that it is a given I'll need a new one because of my small wrist size, might as well have it ready to go.

This will be my first Patek and first watch in this stratosphere of watches. Can't wait!

Congras! I'm looking forward to mine too. Haas...

[p_mcgee]

Originally Posted by cyhawk

Do people care to post their wrist size and how many segments they have on each side? My watch shows up Friday or Monday. I have a 6" wrist, thought I could avoid a painfully long fitting process with a little help from you owners. I did just have the dealer order an extra strap already . . . I figure if I ever pass the watch on that it is a given I'll need a new one because of my small wrist size, might as well have it ready to go.

This will be my first Patek and first watch in this stratosphere of watches. Can't wait!

I just re-sized my Aquanaut strap using this tutorial (razor blade instead of scissors, though), thanks for the info!

7" wrist, for starters I left 10 slots on the 12:00 side & 9 slots on the 6:00 side. It's pretty close...I'll leave it a little loose for a few weeks & see if I need to remove another slot from the 6:00 side. Good luck!

[gregvisser]

Originally Posted by p_mcgee

7" wrist, for starters I left 10 slots on the 12:00 side & 9 slots on the 6:00 side. It's pretty close...I'll leave it a little loose for a few weeks & see if I need to remove another slot from the 6:00 side. Good luck!

Same here. 7" wrist and I run 9 and 10. Also a little bit loose and I might go for 9 and 9 or 8 and 10. Will likely do it this weekend.

Greg



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[The Joker]

Got the sharp scissors and spring bar tool, just need to save for the 5167 now

[Tzehou]

Honest speaking, I think sometimes the dealer or Ad's service are not as good as one would think. For the money, I prefer me screwing up my own watch than someone else.

[lipjin]

ok first i need to find myself a 5167:) R preferably!

[Plastique999]

Great tutorial!
Will be trying this on my wife's Aquanut


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[Time Exposure]

Old thread but pertinent...maybe make a sticky?
I would emphasize three things that have already been mentioned:
1) Keep it loose. The light weight of the Aquanaut on the rubber strap, combined with the texture of the strap, mean the watch will stay put even if it fits loosely.
2) Cut more from the 6 o'clock side to center the clasp. My wrist measures 7.5" or 19cm. I left 13 slots on the 12-side and 7 slots on the 6-side (including the slot holding the deployant spring bar). With the watch head resting centered on my arm, the buckle is actually just right of center on the opposite side of my arm. I think if I had gone 14 by 6 instead of 13 x 7, it would still be okay.
3) Your mileage may vary! You may, for example, have a wrist the same diameter as mine, but with a different shape. So go (cut) slowly and try the fit each time you cut a piece off.
There really is no reason to fear the process if you're careful.

[Tzehou]

Thanks for sharing with pics. Appreciated. I'm cutting mine soon. Haaa...