The genuine IWC Alligator strap adds a completely new dimension to your watch. The IWC Big Pilot is already a very serious watch in its standard guise. But as soon as you swap the standard leather strap for an IWC Alligator strap in black or brown, the watch instantly transforms into a high-class dress watch of mature and more serious intent. As a watch collector, you probably spend hours studying the different movements and comparing the number of complications. But the strap of your watch is something you actually feel during the entire day. It is for this reason that a lot of serious watch collectors immediately look for a suitable upgrade of the strap of their Big Pilot. A genuine IWC Alligator strap is a classic to wear with your IWC Big Pilot in a formal setting. We recommend combining this strap with a matching formal outfit, like a suit and tie.
What Makes an IWC Alligator Strap Worth the Investment
IWC straps are NOT mass-produced leather strips. Each strap is made from natural alligator skin, which has a unique and natural scale pattern that will mature beautifully as the leather wears in. With the correct pairing to the strap lugs of the watch and tapering to the deployant clasp, the IWC strap will sit perfectly flush to the watch case and will give a tailored look. The strap and watch will take on a completely new persona. No other strap will do this. Unlike a worn-out rubber strap or a tired factory strap, a well-maintained IWC alligator strap gives the impression that the watch owner looks after his or her timepieces with great care and attention. Black IWC Alligator straps or Brown IWC Alligator straps look stunning. It is worth paying that little bit extra for a premium quality strap that will keep its great shape for years to come rather than cracking within the first season or two. Take a good, hard look at the stitching and the scale alignment near the buckle end of the strap. A high-quality IWC strap will taper beautifully to 18MM at the buckle end and will have a much neater and more even finish than a cheap, low-quality strap.
Matching Your IWC Alligator Strap to the Way You Wear Your Watch
When purchasing a watch, many do not realize that there are many different ways to wear it. For some owners, they like to change up their watch strap from time to time to give their timepiece a complete makeover and to better complement their outfit for the day. For example, a black IWC Alligator strap is typically worn on formal occasions when the watch is paired with a suit and can also be worn for an evening out when paired with a dark colored outfit to make the watch disappear into the background of the overall look. A brown IWC Alligator strap, on the other hand, is versatile and can be worn during the week to work and for business casual occasions, and also for weekend dinners out with friends and family. Many owners find that they have different straps for different occasions and like to change up their straps from time to time in order to better accentuate their outfit for the day. If an owner has a strap that they typically wear during the week for work, they can easily swap out that strap for a strap made of a different type of leather, such as suede or calf, in order to give their watch a whole new look and to better accentuate their outfit for the weekend.
Alligator vs. Suede vs. Calf: Choosing the Right IWC Strap
An IWC Alligator strap can be compared to the Suede and Calf leathers that IWC also uses for the Big Pilot collection. Suede has a soft, napped surface and is a more casual piece that gives a vintage look and feel to the watch. Calf leather on the other hand, is a smooth and very structured leather that has a formal look but is between Suede and Alligator in terms of formality. IWC Alligator straps are at the very top of the leather collection in terms of refinement and how light falls on the scales of the leather. If you wear your Big Pilot mostly as a desk-and-dinner watch, an IWC Alligator strap is the better choice in the long run. However, if you wear your watch on a daily basis and want something a bit more rugged, then a Calf leather strap for deployant clasp use would be a better choice. As with all the straps, this would have the same 22/18MM lug width and taper, so no changes would be required to your watch or strap deployment.
Finding a Trusted Watch Band & Straps Store for Genuine IWC Parts
Fit and finish only matter if you are buying a strap that is made to fit a watch and meet a number of specific criteria. To that end, it is more important to select a watch band and straps store that sells genuine OEM IWC Parts for your Big Pilot watch. By buying a watch band from a watch band and straps store that is an authorized dealer for IWC, you will find detailed specifications for the watch band, including lug width, the width of the strap at the end where it meets the clasp, and the wearable length. A strap made to IWC’s exacting specifications, such as this black IWC Alligator watch strap, will also be designed to fit perfectly with a deployant clasp for your IWC Big Pilot watch. Compare this to buying a strap made of suede or of high-quality leather from calfskin, which will also be sold as IWC-compatible Big Pilot watch straps, and you will find that a number of watch band and strap stores will also offer these alternative watch bands in addition to Alligator watch bands. When selecting the right strap for your IWC Big Pilot watch, read the comments of other customers who have purchased the watch band and learned firsthand about the sizing and fit.
A Few Pieces Worth a Closer Look
If you’re interested in purchasing an IWC strap, then perhaps a few of the following pieces from our IWC collection would be of interest to you.
IWC Big Pilot 22MM Black Alligator Watch Strap Band (22/18MM)
This strap is made from the best black alligator skin and is tapered perfectly to meet the 22mm-wide strap of the Big Pilot and to end at the 18mm-wide deployant clasp. It is the perfect formal alternative to rubber straps.
IWC Big Pilot 22MM Brown Alligator Watch Strap Band (22/18MM)
The same genuine alligator quality in a warmer tone – a versatile piece of leather for everyday business-casual wear that exudes refinement.
IWC 22/18MM Brown Calf Strap for Deployant Clasp (Big Pilot Strap)
Our range of straps for the IWC Big Pilot also includes the Big Pilot 22MM Brown Calf Strap for Deployant Clasp. A smooth and structured leather strap, made from genuine calf leather, which provides a slightly more rugged feel to the Alligator straps and has a classic feel to them, a brilliant alternative to the Alligator in certain situations. This Calf Strap is available in a brown finish and is pre-cut to fit your Big Pilot watch, with a 22/18MM Lug width, meaning it will fit perfectly with the Deployant Clasp of your watch.
Closing Thoughts
An IWC Alligator strap can dramatically change how a watch feels on your wrist. Perhaps this is the reason why the majority of Big Pilot owners, serious collectors and connoisseurs, seek to exchange the watch’s leather strap as early as possible for an IWC Alligator strap, be it Black or Brown. Only after trying both variants will you be able to decide whether the strap made of Black Alligator or Brown Alligator is the better choice for you. For comparison purposes, we would recommend also trying on Suede or Calf straps for the Big Pilot, as genuine leather varieties used by IWC to create strap and watch band alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What makes an IWC Alligator strap different from a regular leather strap?
An IWC Alligator strap is made from genuine alligator hide, which has a distinct natural scale pattern and a texture that develops character over time. Regular leather or embossed calfskin can imitate the look but not the actual grain, so an authentic alligator strap tends to feel and age differently on the wrist.
2. Will an IWC Alligator strap fit any Big Pilot model?
Straps built for the Big Pilot line typically follow a 22MM lug width and 18MM clasp-end width. Before buying, confirm your specific model's lug width, since not every IWC line shares the same measurements.
3. How do I choose between a black and brown IWC Alligator strap?
It usually comes down to how you plan to wear the watch. A black IWC Alligator strap leans formal and pairs well with suits or evening wear, while a brown IWC Alligator strap feels more versatile for everyday and business-casual settings.
4. Does an IWC Alligator strap come with the deployant clasp included?
No, straps are generally sold separately from the clasp. You will need an 18MM deployant clasp to complete the setup if you don't already own one.
5. How long should an IWC Alligator strap last with regular wear?
With reasonable care, a genuine alligator strap can last several years. Keeping it away from excess moisture and rotating it with another strap helps preserve the leather's texture and shape.
6. What is the difference between suede, calf, and alligator straps for the Big Pilot?
Suede has a soft, napped, casual finish, calf leather offers a smooth, structured look, and alligator sits at the more refined end with a distinctive scale texture. All three typically share the same 22/18MM sizing on Big Pilot models.
7. Can I install an IWC Alligator strap myself?
Most owners can swap a strap at home with basic tools, especially with a deployant clasp system designed for quick changes. If you're unsure, a jeweler or watch specialist can install it for you.
8. Why should I buy from a specialized watch band & straps store instead of a general retailer?
A dedicated watch band & straps store is more likely to carry genuine OEM parts with accurate sizing details, which reduces the risk of ordering a strap that doesn't properly fit your clasp or lug width.
9. Does the strap color affect the value of my IWC watch?
Strap color itself doesn't change the watch's mechanical value, but a well-maintained, correctly fitted strap contributes to the overall impression and condition of the piece, which matters if you ever plan to sell or trade it.
10. What should I check before purchasing an IWC Alligator strap online?
Confirm the lug width, clasp-end width, and total strap length match your watch, and look for a watch band & straps store that clearly states whether the strap is genuine OEM material.