Aquanaut Straps-do you require 2 for fit?

[JSol1]

I purchased my 5186 a couple of weeks ago when the weather was ‘normal’ and I had it fit for cooler months.

The last few days here in New England we’re having Summer like weather and it’s clear my strap is wearing tight.

I had this conversation with my AD during fitting. Since I prefer PM pieces to wear snug, I knew it might be necessary to order an additional strap for Summer wear.

My question is do other Aquanaut owners have a similar dilemma?

Given the crazy lead times, if I need another strap I’d like to order it now with the hope it arrives by next summer.

[Tomas Eriksson]

I wear my aquanaut on the looser side to accommodate warmer weather.

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by Tomas Eriksson

I wear my aquanaut on the looser side to accommodate warmer weather.

Thanks…probably should have done the same….lesson learned…

[kaiserphoenix]

Also just a warning in that depending on some years, the "length" and the grooves "may" vary. For example, on my 5968, my orange and black strap is cut differently, not because I needed different lengths but apparently depending on when the strap was manufactured, they may have tweaked it in some places. So thats something to watch out for.

[DavidSB]

Originally Posted by kaiserphoenix

Also just a warning in that depending on some years, the "length" and the grooves "may" vary. For example, on my 5968, my orange and black strap is cut differently, not because I needed different lengths but apparently depending on when the strap was manufactured, they may have tweaked it in some places. So thats something to watch out for.

+1 on the different lengths.

+1 difficult to change due to the two per side case alignment pins. It is very easy to scratch the lugs. I did it successfully once but won't try again.

They cost about $250 USD and are readily available from HSWA if not in stock at your local AD.

[Gelateria]

Originally Posted by DavidSB

+1 on the different lengths.

+1 difficult to change due to the two per side case alignment pins. It is very easy to scratch the lugs. I did it successfully once but won't try again.

They cost about $250 USD and are readily available from HSWA if not in stock at your local AD.

Not sure what the policy is in US, where I am I can only get the black one - they won't even sell me the brown one and that's coming from the local patek servicing center

[subtona]

Have to wear it o bit loose to accommodate the weather.

Unfortunately there is no micro adjust on the clasp.

Having removed the strap a few times, it can be a bit of a pia because of the tight tolerances and seating the male (strap) ~pins / female (case) holes. Sorry for lack of a better description, I am not talking about the spring bars.


Just to say swapping out the strap for the weather may not be ideal?.

[djona]

Originally Posted by subtona

have to wear it o bit loose to accommodate the weather.

Unfortunately there is no micro adjust on the clasp.

Having removed the strap a few times, it can be a bit of a pia because of the tight tolerances and seating the male (strap) ~pins / female (case) holes. Sorry for lack of a better description, i am not talking about the spring bars.


Just to say swapping out the strap for the weather may not be ideal?.

+1

[Gelateria]

You'll need additional strap
Just get one on aliexpress or something, many more colour choice.
My white strap was cut in summer and fits perfectly, now it's too loose... And aquanaut strap is so difficult to change. Gotta say they should have add some sort of micro adjust on if they are so hell bent on people not changing the strap

[grahammackay86]

Originally Posted by Gelateria

You'll need additional strap
Just get one on aliexpress or something, many more colour choice.
My white strap was cut in summer and fits perfectly, now it's too loose... And aquanaut strap is so difficult to change. Gotta say they should have add some sort of micro adjust on if they are so hell bent on people not changing the strap

I don’t get why anyone would put a cheap strap from Aliexpress on their Patek Phillipe watch…

Has anyone ordered an additional strap from Patek before and know how long the lead time is?

[Gelateria]

Originally Posted by grahammackay86

I don’t get why anyone would put a cheap strap from Aliexpress on their Patek Phillipe watch…

Has anyone ordered an additional strap from Patek before and know how long the lead time is?

It's just rubber it's not high tech stuff. Close your eyes and you won't be able to feel the difference between an aftermarket one and the original one.
Bit stupid for you to think this way tbh

[grahammackay86]

Originally Posted by Gelateria

It's just rubber it's not high tech stuff. Close your eyes and you won't be able to feel the difference between an aftermarket one and the original one.
Bit stupid for you to think this way tbh

This is a stupid comment. In that case you could say “it’s just steel, it’s not high tech stuff” stick your Tissot on your wrist, close your eyes and pretend it’s an AP

[Gelateria]

Originally Posted by grahammackay86

This is a stupid comment. In that case you could say “it’s just steel, it’s not high tech stuff” stick your Tissot on your wrist, close your eyes and pretend it’s an AP

Na bro thats another level of stupidity. You're comparing the polishing of steel on patek and tissot which the price difference told you everything, compared to a STRAP which is like what, 2xx usd with patek and not that much cheaper with aftermarket options.

It's OK to feel superior with using patek original strap, but this is a little too far mate... Patek doesn't offer plastic strap on any other colour which is stupid to begin with, I would have ordered with them if they havwe some other colour options, and I never use patek original leather strap coz they're shit for the price.

Let's support and glaze patek where they deserve, don't go that far and be condescending using factory strap...

[bioyuki]

Originally Posted by grahammackay86

Has anyone ordered an additional strap from Patek before and know how long the lead time is?

In the US, HSWA stocks a bunch of straps so it's just shipping time. My strap happened to be backordered so there was an additional few weeks added as the strap needed to come from Switzerland.

I'm assuming the London salon does the same in the UK, reach out and see what they say.

[JSCP]

Originally Posted by grahammackay86

I don’t get why anyone would put a cheap strap from Aliexpress on their Patek Phillipe watch…

Has anyone ordered an additional strap from Patek before and know how long the lead time is?

usually pretty fast. i always have an extra

[grahammackay86]

Originally Posted by JSCP

usually pretty fast. i always have an extra

Thanks, I’ve ordered a spare black and orange set for my 5968a, both of which I will have cut slightly longer for use when needed!

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by grahammackay86

Thanks, I’ve ordered a spare black and orange set for my 5968a, both of which I will have cut slightly longer for use when needed!

I ordered mine a week ago. Boutique said probably around 3 weeks as the turnaround they see for these straps isn’t as long as traditional straps (I’ve been waiting since July for a strap for my 5396].
Will report back when the Aquanaut strap arrives.

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by Gelateria

You'll need additional strap
Just get one on aliexpress or something, many more colour choice.
My white strap was cut in summer and fits perfectly, now it's too loose... And aquanaut strap is so difficult to change. Gotta say they should have add some sort of micro adjust on if they are so hell bent on people not changing the strap

Thanks! I agree. I feel something Rolex definitely does better are the bracelets and Oysterflex with the mini glide system.
Although I will have my AD swap out the strap, I always worry about scratches on the lugs, especially with soft precious metals.

[srvrf]

Like others, I prefer a slightly loose fit for all of my watches. The Aquanauts are so light (even my 5167R) that you forget you're wearing it. OP, if you make that switch there will be a little transition period, but you should get used to it.

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by srvrf

Like others, I prefer a slightly loose fit for all of my watches. The Aquanauts are so light (even my 5167R) that you forget you're wearing it. OP, if you make that switch there will be a little transition period, but you should get used to it.

Thanks…for the couple of weeks I wore it since purchase the fit was perfect…then a heat wave hit and it’s clear summer will be a problem. I will definitely have the new one fit loosely even though I prefer a snug fit with my watches generally. Appreciate it!

[bioyuki]

I also wear my Aquanaut on the looser side to deal with this. Double strapping it isn't too bad either, I just got the 5164G strap for my A, and it was only a few hundred bucks from HSWA.

[jgottsman11]

In the 90-100 degree texas heat my strap gets snug but not tight. All of the other times and seasons it's just slightly loose. I wear the aquanaut 95% of the time

[APhound]

I agree I don’t think the aftermarket straps look very good on the aquanauts
I have a friend who has them in all different colors and loves them but I really prefer the look of the factory one.


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[Gelateria]

Originally Posted by APhound

I agree I don’t think the aftermarket straps look very good on the aquanauts
I have a friend who has them in all different colors and loves them but I really prefer the look of the factory one.


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Granted there are different budget level with aftermarket option too, so that could be valid. I brought my 5167 with white strap to my ad and we all agreed it's better than we thought. Not factory level obviously, especially where it starts to taper doesn't follow the case religiously like the factory strap, but it's more than doable and it's not unimaginable to get something like this

[NYG1121]

Also in NE. Also have a PM aquanaut. Had the same initial worry like oh crap i cut it a bit too short. But then I noticed that even though it is the most snug of all my watches in warm weather, it is is actually never uncomfortable. So I left it and now really love the glued on feeling. If I wore my other watches this tight, it would definitely be uncomfortable

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by NYG1121

Also in NE. Also have a PM aquanaut. Had the same initial worry like oh crap i cut it a bit too short. But then I noticed that even though it is the most snug of all my watches in warm weather, it is is actually never uncomfortable. So I left it and now really love the glued on feeling. If I wore my other watches this tight, it would definitely be uncomfortable

Thanks for this. I purposely had it cut to be snug because I also prefer my watches to be snug as well. I also knew if it was a problem in warm weather I’d have the option to order another strap.

However it’s the ‘wings’ on the inner clasp that becomes uncomfortable in the sense it’s quite noticeable and I find myself trying to move my watch around my wrist. When wearing in colder weather I don’t feel like I’m wearing a watch and it’s perfect.

Ordered another strap yesterday from the boutique.

[Bartolo]

I've had my Aquanaut Travel Time one one strap, its original, since I bought it new in 2016.

I recently lost some weight and had one 'ridge' worth of strap cut off when I was back at Wempe.

It's always fit me fine year 'round.

[Flex368]

I'm fine with only one strap for my Aquanaut all year round.

[DavidSB]

Reminder you guys: don't cut the new straps based on the number of ribs in the old one. The newer ones can have slightly different rib spacing.

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by DavidSB

Reminder you guys: don't cut the new straps based on the number of ribs in the old one. The newer ones can have slightly different rib spacing.

Thanks for this. I have my AD size it so will make sure to mention this