Thanks for all your sound advise.............

Well after speaking with my AD and then purchasing a sharp Stanley knife.

I sat down and with the assistance of my wife (for support and advise) I started to make my first cut.......................Well after several rounds of first cutting, then putting the strap back together and with 18 pieces (9 either side) of rubber left laying on the table. I was done, I shall now leave it a few days and see how it adapts to the variation in temperture.

Apart from cutting the strap toooooooooooooooooo small!! I think that the most difficult and anxious moments, was actually placing the pins back into their respective holes (this is were the support of my wife came in) as I had vivid thoughts of watching one or maybe both the spring pins flying off, never to been seen again!!!!

Now looking at getting (if possible) a stainless steel bracelet for variety as well as changing the appearance of the watch.

How to cut and adjust a composite strap.................

By: Topcat30093 : August 6th, 2010-08:44

Your advice would very much appreciated. Statement: The "Tropical" strap that is fitted to a 5167 has to be cut and adjusted to fit. Is this an easy task and one that a competent person can do, or does it require a visit to an AD for the adjustment? If it...

It is not composite...

By: COUNT DE MONET : August 6th, 2010-09:16

To me it looks like rubber, this particular strap. But Patek calls it composite as it sounds very posh, eeeeaaarrr! ;-) ! A sharp scalpel should be the best way to cut through it. One can call it also composite, as rubber is a composition of materials, bu...

Its easy to do

By: gqmagic : August 6th, 2010-15:58

Start with 2-3 bars on each end and then as you get closer to the fit you want ONE at a time ea side. I can my thumb tip in on ea side, you do not want it tight.

Measure twice, cut once

By: Le Chef : August 7th, 2010-07:58

Then measure twice more and cut again. The key is to leave a little bit of slack in the fit - like being able to put your little finger under the deployant - to account for changes in wrist dimensions between winter and summer.

Thanks for all your sound advise.............

By: Topcat30093 : August 8th, 2010-22:41

Well after speaking with my AD and then purchasing a sharp Stanley knife. I sat down and with the assistance of my wife (for support and advise) I started to make my first cut.......................Well after several rounds of first cutting, then putting ...

Having worn it now for a couple of days...........

By: Topcat30093 : August 9th, 2010-19:44

I found that the strap was still slightly to loose on my wrist, mind you that could be because the weather for the past couple of days has been more like autumn! Anyway, I decided to take the plunge and remove one further segment (from the 6 o'clock posit...

You want it loose, pulling hair sounds like its to tight.

By: gqmagic : August 9th, 2010-21:02

But that appeared to be the problem.............

By: Topcat30093 : August 10th, 2010-14:16

By having it loose the strap was moving back and forth and pulling the hair. Even though I only adjusted it, this morning I have seen/felt a marked improvement. We shall see how it fairs over the next two weeks, while we are away, in a lot warmer country ...

Congratulations

By: ChristianDK : August 11th, 2010-14:01

Its areally nice watch. You should definately shave your wrists though. Best Christian