The Dive Watch Connection

Honestly we discussed 150-250ish potentially back in February. I said that’s fine.

He did a lot more work than originally discussed. Before we could finalize a price he was already done.

He gave me his shop rate plus materials at 360.

He said 275-300 would be fine. I gladly gave him 300 and a 60 buck tip.

thats pretty good deal considering it breathes new life into that watch....much flexibility now for sure.

nweash wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 04, 2017 12:32 pm

Honestly we discussed 150-250ish potentially back in February. I said that’s fine.

He did a lot more work than originally discussed. Before we could finalize a price he was already done.

He gave me his shop rate plus materials at 360.

He said 275-300 would be fine. I gladly gave him 300 and a 60 buck tip.

Absolutely worth it. This is all the difference between an awesome watch and an unwearable one.

Panerai7 wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 04, 2017 12:53 pm

nweash wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 04, 2017 12:32 pm

Honestly we discussed 150-250ish potentially back in February. I said that’s fine.

He did a lot more work than originally discussed. Before we could finalize a price he was already done.

He gave me his shop rate plus materials at 360.

He said 275-300 would be fine. I gladly gave him 300 and a 60 buck tip.

Absolutely worth it. This is all the difference between an awesome watch and an unwearable one.

Unwearable is a huge stretch dude...

ericf4 wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 04, 2017 12:54 pm

Panerai7 wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 04, 2017 12:53 pm

nweash wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 04, 2017 12:32 pm

Honestly we discussed 150-250ish potentially back in February. I said that’s fine.

He did a lot more work than originally discussed. Before we could finalize a price he was already done.

He gave me his shop rate plus materials at 360.

He said 275-300 would be fine. I gladly gave him 300 and a 60 buck tip.

Absolutely worth it. This is all the difference between an awesome watch and an unwearable one.

Unwearable is a huge stretch dude...

I meant for some, I wasn't paying a 1000 for a bracelet when I don't like bracelets to begin with and I hate rubber straps that epilate my arm hair
So for me personally yes it was "unwearable"

So it’s back.

First of all. Steve did amazing work. The holes are clean, and look professionally done. He didn’t scathe my case in the slightest.

From a wrist view and check the time real quick it’s perfect.


Knowing what I know now, I would have asked him to drill higher and more inward on the lugs around here:




I have some gap between case and strap. The way the lugs are shaped to allow the proprietary strap in also exaggerate the gap.
Also I have to wear every strap one notch tighter. Not a deal breaker.

I don’t have any seiko fat bars on hand. I’m hoping those might minimize it a tad. Currently it’s on toxic norms.

Here’s some combos I like and some thigh gap:

That looks really good.

You sound disappointed, but it looks good in the pics. Can he drill another set of holes where you marked them? Then it'd be like the Swiss Army DM500 watches.

streetracer101 wrote:You sound disappointed, but it looks good in the pics. Can he drill another set of holes where you marked them? Then it'd be like the Swiss Army DM500 watches.

Nah not disappointed. A beggar can’t be a chooser. I’ll still wear it. Just in a perfect world I would have asked him to drill it closer to begin with.

I’m not opposed to him trying different holes if he’s willing. I already sent him an email talking about it.

I can see him being real hesitant drilling that close to preexisting holes.

But who knows, Steve has giant 316L stainless steel balls.

nweash wrote: I’m not opposed to him trying different holes if he’s willing.

Sounds like you really like this guy.

Dammit

nweash wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 05, 2017 2:31 pm

streetracer101 wrote:You sound disappointed, but it looks good in the pics. Can he drill another set of holes where you marked them? Then it'd be like the Swiss Army DM500 watches.

Nah not disappointed. A beggar can’t be a chooser. I’ll still wear it. Just in a perfect world I would have asked him to drill it closer to begin with.

I’m not opposed to him trying different holes if he’s willing. I already sent him an email talking about it.

I can see him being real hesitant drilling that close to preexisting holes.

But who knows, Steve has giant 316L stainless steel balls.

Did he keep the mounting rings for the machining?

streetracer101 wrote:

nweash wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 05, 2017 2:31 pm

streetracer101 wrote:You sound disappointed, but it looks good in the pics. Can he drill another set of holes where you marked them? Then it'd be like the Swiss Army DM500 watches.

Nah not disappointed. A beggar can’t be a chooser. I’ll still wear it. Just in a perfect world I would have asked him to drill it closer to begin with.

I’m not opposed to him trying different holes if he’s willing. I already sent him an email talking about it.

I can see him being real hesitant drilling that close to preexisting holes.

But who knows, Steve has giant 316L stainless steel balls.

Did he keep the mounting rings for the machining?

He said he could weld the holes and make new ones. (But he really doesn’t want to)

Yeah I’m sure he kept the fixtures. I told him I know 3 others that want the mod already.

Looks good but yeah holes closer would have been better.
Maybe a second set as suggested?

Edit: still though, phenomenal!!!

righteous - it's a dream to see straps on the AT

That looks kickass.

To be fair, where he drilled is almost exactly where the lug holes are located on the 3290 version, which, as we all know has fixed bars. I clipped mine earlier this year and tried the watch on a myriad of straps, but ultimately also wished the holes were a little bit higher. Where they sit now, makes the watch perfect for nato straps though – try a BC rubber nato on that thing – it'll wear like a dream.

Hell, maybe I'll have mine drilled a'la VSA Divemaster so I can enjoy both options.

Thanks for being the guinea pig with giant balls Nick. While I agree moving the holes inward a bit would be better, still looks bad ass.

Looks great and I think you could easily add a second set of holes based on where you marked it. I don't think you'd need to weld up the existing holes at all. You've got plenty of distance there. Looks to be the same distance as the ones on my H2O Marlin

Just got mine back from Steve. He was extremely hesitant to do it, took a lot of prodding and perseverance, but he finally agreed and did a fabulous job! I think this really stresses him out as he usually works on watches that are considerably less expensive.

Had him move the holes more upward and inward than Nick's, and I'd consider it almost perfect. You can still see the indentation in the case where the OEM straps "lock in", but it's a non-issue, not really visible when wearing, and looks more like a case detail than anything else. Only trying one strap today, one of my favorites from Art.

Steve also supplied me with a set of very robust and high quality feeling 22mm fat spring bars. They are the ones in use in the pics. They would be too fat for a Nato/Zulu I think (not enough room between them and the case), but I'll know more when I try more straps in the coming days. With them, the canvas is literally up against the case, maybe even too close - though it looks perfect when looking at it while wearing.

Lastly, a huge shout out to Nick, who was the pioneer in the effort to go down this dangerous road. Truly a courageous effort, and expands the versatility of this watch immensely.

Nick, I can't thank you enough!!!

Pic of where the holes are placed:


And on the wrist.

Excellent. Congrats!

That's a mod of all mods!!!!
Congrats Rob

Thanks Hop and Art, it's a true game changer for this watch. Gonna have a lot of fun trying out different straps in the coming days.

It’s crazy that IWC didn’t drill that from the factory. It looks amazing.

JP Chestnut wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 11, 2018 5:28 pm

It’s crazy that IWC didn’t drill that from the factory. It looks amazing.

Agreed. Bracelet and rubber straps are nice, as is the quick change system, but adding 4 holes doesn't seem like it would have been difficult and would have provided the best of both worlds. Then again, I'm constantly amazed, at many of the decisions a lot of watch companies make - or fail to.

Goddamned glorious.