New Carerra Cal.5 and odd lug widths

RynoRex82
Posts
4
Likes
0
Hello,

New to this forum, found out about it from WUS. I'm looking at a new black dial Carerra Cal.5 39/41mm for my 40th next year. But, I'm not a bracelet man. Prefer leather or even better, quality NATO's. All my watches so far have been the standard lug widths of 18/20/22. Now, looking at the 39/41 new Cal.5's. I see odd lug widths of 20.5mm for the 39 and 21.5mm for the 41. Means all my current NATO's are either slighlty too small, or slightly too big. Does anyone here run NATO's on their Carerra's with these odd lug widths? I'm hoping people run a 20mm NATO on a 20.5mm lug width and its fine. Or a 22mm NATO on a 21.5mm lug width and again, it's fine. But thought I'd ask first.

Also, the black only comes on a bracelet. Could I swap for a leather strap in store (if I go to a boutique)? Is that something they can do?

Thanks in advance,
Ryan
 
Calibre11
Posts
7,121
Likes
15,075
Hi Ryan- and welcome.

While the official measurement is indeed 20.5, I'd be surprised if a 20mm strap didn't look perfectly fine. I don't like a 22mm strap in say a 21mm lug, but surely for 0.5mm you'd be OK.

Worth asking the AD- am sure that there is a solution, and TAG Heuer tend to be less fussy about combinations than other brands.
 
RynoRex82
Posts
4
Likes
0
Calibre11 Calibre11
Hi Ryan- and welcome.

While the official measurement is indeed 20.5, I'd be surprised if a 20mm strap didn't look perfectly fine. I don't like a 22mm strap in say a 21mm lug, but surely for 0.5mm you'd be OK.

Thanks for the response. I was assuming that was the answer. But figured I’d ask anyway.
 
Mspeedster
Posts
8,076
Likes
16,361
I wonder if TAG Heuer is just being more precise now when listing their specs? My F1 Gulf is listed as having a 21mm lug width, when in fact it measures just a tad under 21.5mm by my own measurement.

Here it is wearing an OEM 22mm Monaco Gulf strap and it's a near perfect fit.
DSCN1093.JPG
 
stevec14
Posts
2,847
Likes
11,806
RynoRex82 RynoRex82
Thanks for the response. I was assuming that was the answer. But figured I’d ask anyway.
If using a slightly bigger strap to lugs, curved springbars can help a little. Worth a try for a slightly oversized nato.
 
Jim Dollares
Posts
10,127
Likes
12,995
Is it just me or is it incredibly stupid to use 20,5 and 21,5 mm lug width?? I guess it is a sneaky way to "force" people to buy original TAG straps. If only then TAG could step up their game and for instance offer and showcase a variety of straps on different models, they are way behind in that area.
 
RynoRex82
Posts
4
Likes
0
Jim Dollares Jim Dollares
Is it just me or is it incredibly stupid to use 20,5 and 21,5 mm lug width?? I guess it is a sneaky way to "force" people to buy original TAG straps. If only then TAG could step up their game and for instance offer and showcase a variety of straps on different models, they are way behind in that area.

I have to agree. While new to TAG, im not new to watches. And 18/20/22 seems to be the industry accepted standard.
 
Jim Dollares
Posts
10,127
Likes
12,995
RynoRex82 RynoRex82
I have to agree. While new to TAG, im not new to watches. And 18/20/22 seems to be the industry accepted standard.
I think 19 and 21 is fine too, but half millimeters 🤦
 
Aquagraph
Posts
21,578
Likes
30,246
Seriously, half a millimetre in a watch strap is nothing, that's 1/4 of a millimetre each side. You're just making a fuss.
 
Jim Dollares
Posts
10,127
Likes
12,995
Aquagraph Aquagraph
Seriously, half a millimetre in a watch strap is nothing, that's 1/4 of a millimetre each side. You're just making a fuss.
You might be right, I just know I dont like gaps between them lugs and the strap. But you dont think it would make sense if TAG just used the standard full mm that everyone else do?
 
Yago
Posts
4,257
Likes
7,182
Aquagraph Aquagraph
Seriously, half a millimetre in a watch strap is nothing, that's 1/4 of a millimetre each side. You're just making a fuss.
Maybe but half a mil on each side really bugs me so I would probably be pissed if a nice GLC strap didn’t turn out to fit snugly.
 
abrod520
Posts
11,594
Likes
37,181
I personally run NATOs on curved spring bars, and generally find that even 22mm NATOs fit on 20mm lugs that way without any issues.
 
RynoRex82
Posts
4
Likes
0
Aquagraph Aquagraph
Seriously, half a millimetre in a watch strap is nothing, that's 1/4 of a millimetre each side. You're just making a fuss.

That's why I asked. We’re allowed to do that here yeah?
 
Aquagraph
Posts
21,578
Likes
30,246
RynoRex82 RynoRex82
That's why I asked. We’re allowed to do that here yeah?

Of course! Ignore me and Jim's playful squabbling.
 
Calibre11
Posts
7,121
Likes
15,075
I'd hope that the intention is not to create unique lug sizes that can't use third party straps...

I think @Mspeedster has it right- that strap looks like a perfect fit
 
Aquagraph
Posts
21,578
Likes
30,246
RynoRex82 RynoRex82
That's why I asked. We’re allowed to do that here yeah?

Sorry, I can see why you thought I was talking to you now, I should have 'replied' to Jim's post. 😬
 
OttoWilliam
Posts
2,837
Likes
2,526
hahaha welcome to the forum !

I am nobody in here, but i think it's my queue to say " boys ! behave ! we have new member here !" 😁
 
Jim Dollares
Posts
10,127
Likes
12,995
OttoWilliam OttoWilliam
I am nobody in here
Don't be modest my dear sir and legendary Otto! Not only are you a multi millionaire man of power, you also have the most followers on instagram and tend to be the most read interview subject on the TAG Heuer Enthusiast Blog 😎
 
OttoWilliam
Posts
2,837
Likes
2,526
Jim Dollares Jim Dollares
Don't be modest my dear sir and legendary Otto! Not only are you a multi millionaire man of power, you also have the most followers on instagram and tend to be the most read interview subject on the TAG Heuer Enthusiast Blog 😎
hahaha coming from the leader of the silver dial church that is quite an introduction.

I thank you, Sir !👍
 
4 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

McBeardy

Carrera strap & lug width query

McBeardy TAG Heuer Discussion
RushDom
RushDom
Posts
5
Views
535