Things I hate - flexi bracelets and suicide spring bars

JimInOz · Apr 8, 2014

My latest addition is a nice little watch, but it came with a flexi bracelet. Worse still, it was one of those "one use clamp on" style of end pieces. 😡

And even worse, suicide spring bars. Once fitted, they're there to stay as there is no collar or flange to grab, and the style of end lug on the bracelet prevents a good grip anyway. 😵‍💫

BUT!

There are ways my friend, ways to remove these horrors...................😁

(WARNING - Professional W
atchmakers, cover your eyes NOW 😲 )

Luckily the lugs didn't get those infamous gouge rings that some gold cases get when these bracelets are used.

And onwards with the rehabilitation.

dsio · Apr 8, 2014

I have taken one of those bracelets off and left blood and flesh behind on the watch case...

adam78 · Apr 9, 2014

Another reason why I love lug holes.

lenny · Apr 9, 2014

It's mighty decent of you to hide the identity of the innocent watch.

STANDY · Apr 9, 2014

Even better. Mini bolt cutters can pick them up for $10

woodwkr2 · Apr 9, 2014

STANDY
Even better. Mini bolt cutters can pick them up for $10

Now why didn't I think of that. 😗 Brilliant!

Privateday7 · Apr 9, 2014

STANDY
Even better. Mini bolt cutters can pick them up for $10

The tools of the month 😁. A new item for everyone DIY watch maintenance tools list.

Archer · Apr 9, 2014

I have a pair of side cutters in my drawer for cutting stems, and yes for stuck spring bars too.

dsio · Apr 9, 2014

adam78
Another reason why I love lug holes.

Amen to that, never had a 1680 Submariner fail to co-operate when I wanted its springbars out.

I was pleased to find my Cenenary 2500 also had lug holes, which was a nice touch on a gold model.

JimInOz · Apr 9, 2014

lenny
It's mighty decent of you to hide the identity of the innocent watch.

Just making sure I didn't scratch or mark the case while I was doing surgery.

And a "Second That" on lug holes, makes quick changes so easy and lessens the risk of scratching the case.👍

JimInOz · Apr 10, 2014

Well it came up OK for a quick external clean, now to get it on a strap.

Does anybody know if the caseback should be polished or brushed, I need to remove the evidence of prior tampering 😡

dsio · Apr 10, 2014

Love the dial, looks great

Privateday7 · Apr 10, 2014

+1, well done, mate....

speedbird · Apr 10, 2014

I've had that happen before. Instead of cutters I use a dremel rotary tool and cut the spring bar in half and take it out in two pieces. No slipping to worry about and no bleeding necessary

JimInOz · Apr 10, 2014

Curses, foiled again 😡

Rhett rhetoric sent me a strap for it, however this watch takes 16.8mm straps, not 18mm.

Oh well, the hunt is on, 17mm should fit OK.

rhetoric · Apr 10, 2014

JimInOz
Curses, foiled again 😡

Rhett rhetoric sent me a strap for it, however this watch takes 16.8mm straps, not 18mm.

Oh well, the hunt is on, 17mm should fit OK.

Bugger! Oh well, you'll find something. 👍

woodwkr2 · Apr 10, 2014

STANDY
Even better. Mini bolt cutters can pick them up for $10

Used this little trick--though with slightly less manly looking clippers--today. It worked like a charm and took me all of 1 min (55 seconds were finding the clippers).

Cheers!

JimInOz · Apr 10, 2014

To get to my Dremel I would have had to move the car out of the garage, too much muckin around, and my bolt cutters are blunt after cutting up reo bar.

But it's a good reason to hit the hardware store for a new pair 😉

rhetoric
Bugger! Oh well, you'll find something. 👍

Never mind Rhett, I'll just have to scout for a watch with 18mm lugs and a blue dial 😁

STANDY · Apr 10, 2014

woodwkr2
Used this little trick--though with slightly less manly looking clippers--today. It worked like a charm and took me all of 1 min (55 seconds were finding the clippers).

Cheers!

I use these to cut trebles that get embedded in fishing mates also

woodwkr2 · Apr 10, 2014

STANDY
I use these to cut trebles that get embedded in fishing mates also

Yeah?--ask me why I ALWAYS wear a hat when I'm fishing, and have done so ever since the age of 7. 😗