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New Carerra Cal.5 and odd lug widths

  1. RynoRex82

    RynoRex82 Oct 19, 2021

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    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
     
  2. Calibre11

    Calibre11 Editor of Calibre11.com Staff Member Oct 19, 2021

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    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.
     
  3. Pitfitter446

    Pitfitter446 Oct 19, 2021

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    Don’t ask you’ll no get, granny used to say.
     
    Calibre11 likes this.
  4. RynoRex82

    RynoRex82 Oct 19, 2021

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    Thanks for the response. I was assuming that was the answer. But figured I’d ask anyway.
     
  5. Mspeedster

    Mspeedster Oct 20, 2021

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    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 likes this.
  6. stevec14

    stevec14 Oct 20, 2021

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    If using a slightly bigger strap to lugs, curved springbars can help a little. Worth a try for a slightly oversized nato.
     
  7. Jim Dollares

    Jim Dollares Oct 20, 2021

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    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.
     
    paysdoufs and RynoRex82 like this.
  8. RynoRex82

    RynoRex82 Oct 20, 2021

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    I have to agree. While new to TAG, im not new to watches. And 18/20/22 seems to be the industry accepted standard.
     
  9. Jim Dollares

    Jim Dollares Oct 20, 2021

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    I think 19 and 21 is fine too, but half millimeters ::facepalm2::
     
  10. Aquagraph

    Aquagraph Oct 20, 2021

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    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.
     
    RockBurner likes this.
  11. Jim Dollares

    Jim Dollares Oct 20, 2021

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    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?
     
  12. Yago

    Yago Oct 20, 2021

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    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.
     
    Jim Dollares likes this.
  13. abrod520

    abrod520 Oct 20, 2021

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    I personally run NATOs on curved spring bars, and generally find that even 22mm NATOs fit on 20mm lugs that way without any issues.
     
  14. RynoRex82

    RynoRex82 Oct 20, 2021

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    That's why I asked. We’re allowed to do that here yeah?
     
  15. Aquagraph

    Aquagraph Oct 20, 2021

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    Of course! Ignore me and Jim's playful squabbling.
     
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  16. Calibre11

    Calibre11 Editor of Calibre11.com Staff Member Oct 20, 2021

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    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
     
    Jim Dollares likes this.
  17. Aquagraph

    Aquagraph Oct 21, 2021

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    Sorry, I can see why you thought I was talking to you now, I should have 'replied' to Jim's post. :oops:
     
    OttoWilliam likes this.
  18. OttoWilliam

    OttoWilliam Oct 22, 2021

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    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 !" :D
     
    Jim Dollares likes this.
  19. Jim Dollares

    Jim Dollares Oct 22, 2021

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    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 :cool:
     
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  20. OttoWilliam

    OttoWilliam Oct 22, 2021

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    hahaha coming from the leader of the silver dial church that is quite an introduction.

    I thank you, Sir !:thumbsup:
     
    thingziliketoo and Jim Dollares like this.