IWC Big Pilot's Watch Edition Antoine de Saint Exupery IW5004-21

Changing to a rubber strap
Alright. I am so frustrated right now that I am about to blow up. I received today the rubber strap for my PO. I am telling you, this is the last time I will be changing straps. It is virtually impossible to do this. No wait! Physically impossible. I finally was able to get the short strap on. however, I am having difficulty inputting the longer strap.I need adivce, tips, help, anything on how to do this asap. Taking it to a jeweler is out of the questions. DIY's please respond.

Continuity (Day-Date) und Change (S-class dashboards)
Dear Rolex-Fans,following please find a little journey through the times from the 50ies until today showing the evolution of the Mercedes S-class dashboards and the Rolex Day-Date. You can see, that the dashboards of the S-class has changed completely through the years, but the Rolex Day-Date shows continuity. The 50ies: Mercedes W180 (Ponton):(Source: mirbach.de)Speedometer in lying position with a hand moving horizontally.Rolex 6611:(Source: vetroplastica.it)The Day-Date in their first version with Dauphine-hands.The 60ies: Mercedes W111 (Fintail):(Source: mirbach.de)Vertical speedometer with vertical moving band (the notorious ¡°clinical thermometer¡±), Band up to 50 km/h yellow, between 50 and 100 km/h yellow/red striped, over 100 km/h red.Mercedes W 108:(Source: mirbach.de)Round instruments in ¡°pinstripe-look¡±.Rolex 1803:(Quelle: Hannes, RLX-Gallery)The Day-Date now features new hands and a new caliber.The 70ies: Mercedes W116:(Source: mirbach.de)The introduction of the ¡°Orange Han

Help me ID my new purchase
I picked this Seamaster Deville up yesterday....the case/dial/crystal is in great shape, but it did not come with the original band or the buckle. So...I'm thinking I'll get this thing serviced, though it seems to run okay, and during that time, I'll find a suitable strap and a signed buckle.I don't want to open the case because I lack the correct tools, so I can't get the SN...can anyone help me date the watch so that I can start hunting for the correct strap/clasp? Also, what movement is in it?PICS

Vintage Seamaster 550 getting overhauled! (new pictures)
Dial is back from International Dial and installed. I think the printing looks slightly better than the original, but more importantly, the dial is not BLISTERED! ;) I white balanced all of the pics that my watchmaker sent me, so enjoy. When I get it back and put it on a strap, i'll take some more pics!BEFORE:(Most picture taken from the side so you can see the blistering on the dial)AFTER:(Taken by the watchmaker before sending it back to me)And some resized and white balanced shots of the movement that I already posted:Still the same, incorrect crown. He had one that another customer had bought, but it was $50 and crowns can be had around the $30 point online. We're going to change the crown at some point, though. What do you think?-James

Referral for Vintage Omega Watch Service
Hello,I own two vintage Omega Seamasters (500 series) that need routine oiling and minor adjustments. I prefer to avoid Omega ADs and Omega Service Centers due to concerns about getting overcharged. Any recommendations?Thanks, DAVIDOmegas 01 01 2013.JPG