When you own a Panerai, it is a simple job to get a decent custom made strap for it. When you own an IWC Ingenieur (ref.3227), it is a bit harder…the IWC soft strap of the AMG version will fit perfectly, but IWC doesn’t make a leather strap for this model.

Jacob from Spain creates leather straps for all types and makes of watches. Including a strap for the IWC Ingenieur. I heard about it via e-mail, when a reader of this blog noticed that Jacob was making these straps and did know that I own a 3227 as well 🙂 The writer of the mail also sent me a link to a short review of the Jacob strap for the IWC Ingenieur on Watch Talk Forums (click here).

Before I clicked, I wondered if Jacob had made a solid construction for the strap ends (that are being connected to the case with a genius spring system). And he did. Jacob uses a steel core layer to give the strap the proper ‘strength’, because the construction of the lugs and strap could easily ‘break’ the strap if not strengthened by something more solid inside it. I think the official IWC soft strap uses the same kind of construction with a metal core inside.

Price for an IWC Ingenieur strap is 130 Euro, excluding shipping costs. Prices (and some examples) of IWC Ingenieur straps can be found here: https://jacobstraps.com/Serie%20IWC%20for%20INGY%20Cocodrilo%20.htm

Below is an example picture (from Jacob’s website) of the Ingy strap:

Thanks to Maarten for letting me know!