Thunderbird Genuine Alligator IWC-Style Aviator Watch Band - Black

Thunderbird Genuine Alligator IWC-Style Aviator Watch Band

Full-cut alligator. Understated aviator style.

RIOS1931 Art Manuel

High-End Hand-Finished Construction

Give your watch a sharper, more purposeful look with the Black Thunderbird Genuine Alligator IWC-Style Aviator Watch Band. Matte full-cut alligator, crisp cream-white hand stitching, and a streamlined aviator profile create a refined black strap with distinctive texture and presence.

• Available Lug Widths:  18mm, 19mm, 21mm, and 22mm

Choose Quick Release spring bars for tool-free strap changes without affecting the fit, size, or appearance of the watch band.

Available as a complimentary option.

Start with Your Watch’s Lug Width

The correct watch band size is determined by the lug width—the distance between the inside edges of the two lugs where the band attaches to the watch case. Measure this space in millimeters.

A watch with a 20mm lug width takes a 20mm watch band; a 22mm lug width takes a 22mm band. Measure the watch itself rather than relying on the width of an old strap, especially if you are unsure whether the existing band is the original size.

How to Measure Watch Band Width

1. Use a ruler marked in millimeters.

A metric ruler is easiest because watch band sizes are measured in millimeters.

2. Measure the inside distance between the lugs.

Place the ruler across the gap where the strap attaches to the case. Measure from the inside edge of one lug to the inside edge of the opposite lug.

3. Match that measurement to the band size.

If the lug width measures 20mm, choose a 20mm watch band. If it measures 22mm, choose a 22mm band.

Using centimeters?

Convert centimeters to millimeters by moving the decimal one place to the right. For example, 2.0 cm = 20mm.

Shop Watch Bands by Size

Once you know your lug width, choose the matching watch band size below to browse compatible styles.

Common Watch Band Sizing Mistakes

Measuring the Strap Instead of the Watch

Measure the lug width on the watch case, not the width of an old strap. A previous band may be the wrong size or may have compressed over time.

Measuring the Outside of the Lugs

Use the inside-to-inside distance between the lugs. Measuring the full outside width of the case will give you the wrong band size.

Using Inches Instead of Millimeters

Watch band widths are normally listed in millimeters. Measuring directly in millimeters avoids unnecessary conversion and rounding errors.

Guessing Based on Case Size

A larger watch does not always use a wider strap. Two watches with similar case diameters can have different lug widths, so always measure the actual lug opening.

Frequently Asked Questions About Watch Band Size

What is watch lug width?

Lug width is the distance between the inside edges of the two lugs where the watch band attaches to the case. Watch band sizes are typically listed in millimeters to match this measurement.

Is Lug Width the Same as Watch Band Width?

For choosing a replacement band, the lug width is the measurement that determines the band width at the watch case. A 20mm lug opening requires a watch band that is 20mm wide where it attaches to the watch.

How do I know if I need a 20mm or 22mm watch band?

Measure the inside distance between the lugs. If the opening is 20mm, choose a 20mm band. If it is 22mm, choose a 22mm band.

What Does a 20mm Watch Band Mean?

A 20mm watch band is designed to fit a watch with a 20mm space between the inside edges of the lugs. The measurement refers to the width of the band where it attaches to the watch case.

What if my measurement falls between two sizes?

Recheck the measurement directly between the inside edges of the lugs using millimeters. Watch lug widths are usually designed around a specific standard size, so an in-between result often means the measurement needs to be taken again.