Straps can greatly alter the manner in which a wearer perceives a given timepiece. More often than not, the strap of an IWC watch plays a more substantial role than the case. IWC Big Pilot watches in particular look rather formal, but rugged on supple suede straps, or simply wonderful on structured calf leather straps for formal occasions. Therefore, IWC Alligator Watch Straps offer the most versatility for watches in particular, as in the case of the IWC Big Pilot. They allow their wearer to give new ‘life’ to a favorite watch without ever having to remove it from his wrist.
Most watch enthusiasts more than happily confirm that their preferred time piece sits in a safe place, i.e. in a drawer, since too long ago the strap (band) delivered with the watch did not match the wearer’s daily fashion more than sufficiently. In particular, most owners would very much appreciate having an IWC leather strap which as soon as it is mounted to an IWC Big Pilot watch would immediately make that perfect time piece suddenly look so much better and become much more to the owner’s liking. For that reason, you shall find more and more IWC collectors doing business with a watch band & straps store – Gift of Time – which has been successfully running for many years and is a reputable retailer of all kind of authentic original watch straps made of various high-quality materials (leather, metal, etc.). We shall support all collectors and watch enthusiasts anywhere in the world, since we are selling all OEM watch bands & watch straps, and are shipping, in an efficient, safe, and also environmentally friendly way within a matter of days to any place around the globe.
Why an IWC Alligator Watch Strap Changes the Whole Personality of Your Watch
One of the biggest advantages of watch straps is that they can transform the ‘look and feel’ of your watch, within a matter of minutes. I have a large collection of IWC watches, and I have found that the best way to get the most out of them, is to change the strap, from time to time. It is a very cost effective way of creating a new ‘watch’, and one that I would highly recommend to other collectors. In essence, there is nothing to stop you from creating a large collection of different ‘watches’, all using the same case, but with different straps. It is a very clever way of getting the most out of a small number of watches, and one that I would highly recommend to other collectors.
Original IWC watch straps are subject to wear, stretching, and in the end, cracking. This most often occurs at the buckle hole. A change of a worn-out strap to a new IWC Alligator Watch Strap Band will then not only revitalize your watch, but it will also restore the fitting of your watch perfectly. Our straps are also a very cost effective way of restoring your watch to a state of perfect functioning. And, as has already been pointed out, giving your watch a change of strap is far quicker than shopping for a new timepiece.
What Makes an IWC Alligator Watch Strap Different From Ordinary Bands
While there are plenty of leather watch straps available on the market today, not all of them are made equally. In order to pair a watch with a leather watch strap of the highest quality, it’s essential to look for a genuine leather strap. For example, an IWC Big Pilot leather watch strap is cut to fit the Big Pilot watch’s specific lug width, and is also tapered to best suit the Big Pilot watch. An aftermarket watch band, on the other hand, can only attempt to mimic the Big Pilot watch’s strap, and in most cases, the quality just won’t be there.
While the sizing of the strap is very important to ensure proper fit, the material quality is just as important. For example, a high quality leather strap will develop a nice patina over time, whereas a low quality strap made of inferior leather will begin to crack and peel within a season or so. In addition to providing the highest quality leather straps for IWC timepieces, Gift of Time, the leading online watch band & straps store, also carries an assortment of straps made from other high quality materials such as suede, nylon, and even exotic skin types, while maintaining the same high standards for quality that the genuine leather straps adhere to.
Choosing the Right IWC Alligator Watch Strap for Your Big Pilot
Getting a watch strap to fit a wrist is a matter of size, but there are also many different materials used, for example leather straps with smooth surfaces or rough ones. Some straps are formal, others are fun. For example there are strap materials for Big Pilot straps such as suede straps or calf leather straps that are more casual in nature than a strap made from smooth leather.
The IWC Big Pilot 22MM Black Alligator Watch Strap Band (22/18MM) is one of the most popular Big Pilot straps for a reason. It is formal without trying to be and is a great everyday strap for the Big Pilot for most owners.
For a warmer, more relaxed alternative, the IWC Big Pilot 22MM Brown Alligator Watch Strap Band (22/18MM) it looks great with jackets of casual style and is perfect for the weekend. So, if you are looking for a relaxed alternative to the Big Pilot Watch on Black Alligator Watch Strap then the Big Pilot Watch on Brown Alligator Watch Strap is the perfect choice for you.
When you are purchasing a strap for your Big Pilot, make sure to pair it with the correct deployant clasp. The New OEM 18MM IWC Stainless Steel Deployant Clasp for Big Pilot Strap is specifically designed for IWC Big Pilot watch straps and is the exact same hardware that IWC would have used when they created your strap. Also, by purchasing the strap and the clasp together, you will not have to worry about trying to find the correct buckle to go with your newly acquired IWC Big Pilot strap from Gift of Time.
Who an IWC Alligator Watch Strap Actually Suits
People wearing a Big Pilot to the office in the morning and then to a weekend dinner party obviously benefit the most. In addition, people who travel a lot by air obviously benefit from wearing a light suede strap (in brown or in black) that is easier to wear on a long airplane flight than a stiff leather dress strap. Lastly, Big Pilot owners who have an older IWC model watch, where the strap has simply worn out with use over the years, will obviously benefit from having a factory new IWC Alligator strap to put on the watch to have it look like new again.
Caring for Your IWC Alligator Watch Strap So It Lasts
Look after your strap and it will last you a long time. Avoid exposing your leather strap to water for extended periods of time and try to avoid direct sunlight, as this can cause the leather to dry out and crack. Gently wipe your strap with a damp cloth after wear to remove any salt and oils from your skin. This will help to prevent your strap from becoming stiff and help to keep the leather from cracking.
Leather straps last a lot longer when given a day to rest between wearings. In the same way that rotating between different pairs of leather shoes is good for their longevity, so too is using different straps for your watch. And when you’re not wearing your watch, store it flat rather than coiled up. This will stop the straps getting permanently creased at the buckle.
Sometimes when taking a watch off the wrist you can feel the strap stretching and pulling on the holes in the leather, especially if the deployant clasp is being opened and closed. It’s very important that the deployant clasp is opening and closing smoothly, as if it’s not then it can cause stress to the strap ends, which over time can cause the strap to wear and in the worst case break.
At Gift of Time, a watch band & straps store built entirely around genuine OEM parts, we have the IWC Alligator straps for the Big Pilot in various sizes, materials and with different buckles (e.g. deployant clasp, butterfly clasp, pin buckle) in stock. All the straps for the Big Pilot are made of 100% alligator leather, the same high quality material as used by IWC for their watches. Therefore, an IWC Alligator Watch Strap is definitely one of the most cost efficient upgrades for a watch collector.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is an IWC Alligator Watch Strap made from?
The straps in our IWC collection are genuine OEM leather, made to IWC's own specifications for fit, taper, and finish rather than approximated by a third party.
2. Will an IWC Alligator Watch Strap fit any IWC model?
The straps in this collection are sized specifically for the IWC Big Pilot line, using a 22MM lug width and 18MM clasp end. Confirm your model's lug width before ordering if you own a different IWC line.
3. Do I need a deployant clasp with an IWC Alligator Watch Strap?
Yes. These straps are designed for use with a deployant clasp rather than a tang buckle, and the strap itself is sold separately from the clasp.
4. What is the difference between suede and calf leather options?
Suede has a soft, napped finish that leans casual, while calf leather has a smoother, more structured surface that reads formal. Both are genuine leather and both work with a deployant clasp.
5. How long does an IWC Alligator Watch Strap typically last?
With basic care, such as avoiding prolonged water exposure and rotating between two straps, a genuine leather strap can last several years of regular wear.
6. Why choose a dedicated watch band & straps store over a general retailer?
A watch band & straps store that focuses on OEM parts can guarantee correct lug widths, authentic materials, and clasp compatibility, all of which are easy to get wrong when buying generic straps elsewhere.
7. What does the 22/18MM sizing on an IWC Alligator Watch Strap mean?
22MM refers to the lug width where the strap meets the watch case, and 18MM refers to the narrower end that connects to the deployant clasp.
8. Can I use an existing deployant clasp with a new strap?
If your existing clasp is sized for an 18MM strap end, it should be compatible, though pairing an OEM strap with an OEM clasp gives the most reliable fit.
9. How do I clean an IWC Alligator Watch Strap?
Wipe it gently after wear to remove oils and salt from skin contact, and keep it away from direct sunlight and prolonged moisture, which dry out and crack leather over time.
10. What is the return policy on IWC straps and clasps?
Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery provided the item is unused and in its original condition, with prior approval requested before sending anything back.