WatchOtaku Blog from Aug 24, 2010

The IWC Aquatimer 2000 has proprietary lugs, and an overpriced strap. Here are some links as I research alternatives:

• ABP Paris can accommodate IWC, but justly famous for custom, pricy work. Not sure how much cheaper than IWC it'd be, though I could get one made to my design.
• Timenation has a nice post about custom straps, but no suggestions.
• It looks like there's a velcro strap available:

(Image credit: awo on TZUK)

(Image credit: awo on TZUK)

Hmm. From the discussion, it sounds like adding a normal strap to that adapter is difficult. And it's expensive. Hmm.

More as I learn it.

Update 8/31/10: ABP replied to my email and asked me to re-enquire in 'September.' Guess they're busy.
Update 9/7/10: No help from ABP:

We can't make a strap for that IWC ther is an insert which can't fit with leather strap.

Update 9/11/10: ABP can do it... for a price.

Bonjour Paul,

Yes we can make a strap for your IWC Aquatimer.

We need 10 days to make a strap.

Of course the strap will not fit like the rubber one.

The prices are between 225 euros and 550 euros fedex included, depending of the skin and the option selected.

Feel free to ask for any further information.

Best Regards,

Sonia.

Ouch. Still, good to have the option, will see how my money looks. I think they bracelet comes first.

Right after the IWC news, I've written up a long post with initial lume data, pictures and comparison to the Marinemaster.
Enjoy!

Way back in March, I decided to start what's often called a 'grail quest' in watch geek forums. It's been about seven months now, and with all long projects the end isn't quite what I thought it would be initially. I'll be writing a review of the grail, watch postmortems and more, but this is just a news item and a bit of discussion.

The main goals for the quest were

• Reduce the watch count significantly. I had too many watches that I sorta liked, or didn't wear.
• Hold out for the best I can afford.
• Buy something comfortable, as I plan to wear it more often than not.
• Nice movement, ETA 2892 or better
• Durable materials and construction:
  • AR coated sapphire crystal
  • Ceramic bezel
  • Titanium or 316L case
• Good lume
• Not too flashy

You can see the candidates on this page, but my shortlist started narrowing towards

• Omega Planet Ocean, 42mm, black bezel and orange numbers, with bracelet.
• OWC MS-5517, version 3, with Soprod A-10, ceramic bezel, A/R crystal.

I started watching the for-sale forums on PMWF, WUS and TimeZone, as a good way to judge prices and availability. As of this month, a very nice Omega on bracelet is about $2100, so that was a good place to target, savings-wise.

As always, you can see my watch database, including previous watches, but I sold roughly 26 watches to get this:

Taaa-daa! IWC Aquatimer 2000 ref 3568-02, IWC 30110 movement (ETA 2892 base), amazing sapphire bezel, convex sapphire with dual-sided AR, etc, etc. Full review and first impression review in the works.

Some notes on the decision process and some notes:

• I saw one of this model go quickly for just under 3000 on WUS, and when one came up that was a) local to san diego and b) 2850, I knew what an opportunity it represented. Being able to try it on before buying was worth quite a bit to me.
• It didn't take that much longer to save the difference ($750) between the IWC and a Planet Ocean. I figure that if I sour on the IWC, I can sell it and buy an Omega for less, so no worries there.
• The last watch to sell was my SBDX001. The damage I did to the lugs ended up costing me quite a lot of sale value. Good-condition Marinemasters are going for 1500 or more; I got 800 net for mine. Ouch. Surface finish matters quite a lot, duh.
• The WUS sale board is an excellent place for deals. Very few hassles, recommended.
• Why not the OWC? Actually, I am going to get one, but Dan has had supplier issues and availability now looks like October. By then I should have funds saved for one of those; that'll make a killer beater stablemate for the IWC.