Henri stern for watch strap change

[sportsfan0704]

I know Henri stern is highly regarded for their customer service, but wanted to know if anyone had experience having them change a strap without quick release spring bars? I have a 3919 and the lugs are so narrow and the new strap is so stiff. Would they tape the lugs? And before anyone asks, I don’t have the steady hand for it. I just want to know because their hours are challenging given work schedule. Thanks in advance!

[fsprow]

Originally Posted by sportsfan0704

I know Henri stern is highly regarded for their customer service, but wanted to know if anyone had experience having them change a strap without quick release spring bars? I have a 3919 and the lugs are so narrow and the new strap is so stiff. Would they tape the lugs? And before anyone asks, I don’t have the steady hand for it. I just want to know because their hours are challenging given work schedule. Thanks in advance!

I’m sure they can change the strap on any Patek watch. Just call Tracy at Stern to confirm.

[sportsfan0704]

Originally Posted by fsprow

I’m sure they can change the strap on any Patek watch. Just call Tracy at Stern to confirm.

I am sure they can do it. Just want to know what peoples experience has been having it done. I’m kind of in a tough spot because I’m not able to do strap changes myself but it’s also hard for me to trust other people
Without hearing they’ve done a goood job

[pdnb]

Just have who ever does tape the lugs. Any watchmaker can do it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[subtona]

Originally Posted by sportsfan0704

I am sure they can do it. Just want to know what peoples experience has been having it done. I’m kind of in a tough spot because I’m not able to do strap changes myself but it’s also hard for me to trust other people
Without hearing they’ve done a goood job

Is it that important to avoid a potential light tool mark for you?
Not talking about gauging.

I consider such marks normal wear and tear, of course I especially don’t mind them as I do my own (and most of my friends) strap changes, including adjust the length of rooex, AP & nautilus bracelet at times.

If I want to be extra careful (not usual) I will use a watchmakers loop (the kind that holds itself in place.



Jacking up a screw head is not ok.

[fsprow]

Originally Posted by sportsfan0704

I am sure they can do it. Just want to know what peoples experience has been having it done. I’m kind of in a tough spot because I’m not able to do strap changes myself but it’s also hard for me to trust other people
Without hearing they’ve done a goood job

I’ve always changed my own straps but if I couldn’t trust the staff at Stern I wouldn’t trust anyone else.

[sportsfan0704]

Originally Posted by subtona

Is it that important to avoid a potential light tool mark for you?
Not talking about gauging.

I consider such marks normal wear and tear, of course I especially don’t mind them as I do my own (and most of my friends) strap changes, including adjust the length of rooex, AP & nautilus bracelet at times.

If I want to be extra careful (not usual) I will use a watchmakers loop (the kind that holds itself in place.



Jacking up a screw head is not ok.

It’s one of those things that bothers me because I feel like it’d avoidable. Obviously a gouge or ruining a screw head is way worse than some lug marks. But I also feel like if you sent a watch out for service and got it back and it had new marks on it you would be annoyed. I’ve had bad experience with watchmakers at other brands in nyc doing strap and bracelet stuff, so was wondering if Patek was better (I would imagine it is)

[sportsfan0704]

Originally Posted by fsprow

I’ve always changed my own straps but if I couldn’t trust the staff at Stern I wouldn’t trust anyone else.

That’s my feeling and hopefully why they’re good! Another option is having quick release bars added to my strap and then putting it

[subtona]

Originally Posted by sportsfan0704

It’s one of those things that bothers me because I feel like it’d avoidable. Obviously a gouge or ruining a screw head is way worse than some lug marks. But I also feel like if you sent a watch out for service and got it back and it had new marks on it you would be annoyed. I’ve had bad experience with watchmakers at other brands in nyc doing strap and bracelet stuff, so was wondering if Patek was better (I would imagine it is)

Also had a number of bad experiences with watchmakers.

Actually my best recommendation is swing by Wempe. You can walk right up to the watchmaker counter and speak with the actual watchmaker vs most other places you will never meet them.
They likely can sort you out on the spot.

[sportsfan0704]

Originally Posted by subtona

Also had a number of bad experiences with watchmakers.

Actually my best recommendation is swing by Wempe. You can walk right up to the watchmaker counter and speak with the actual watchmaker vs most other places you will never meet them.
They likely can sort you out on the spot.

I usually have wempe do it and they’ve always done a good job. Figured it might be worth taking the Patek to henri stern but may ultimately just go the wempe route


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[agsstructures]

I had a 3940 serviced a few months back at HS. My assumption is they can change a strap without any issue.

[DavidSB]

I had them do one and they also pressure tested the watch while I waited. Appointments required.

[sportsfan0704]

Originally Posted by DavidSB

I had them do one and they also pressure tested the watch while I waited. Appointments required.

Leather strap?

[doctoryellow]

Recently had my Chopard sent in for service (brand new) and it came back with a scratched lug. Now I want to sell it. Super irritating

[sportsfan0704]

Originally Posted by doctoryellow

Recently had my Chopard sent in for service (brand new) and it came back with a scratched lug. Now I want to sell it. Super irritating

Happened with my omega after I had their watchmaker in the nyc boutique do the strap change. It’s extra irritating because it’s wholly avoidable. Scratches to the case are part of wear and don’t bother me. Something like a lug mark from careless strap removal and replacement does!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sportsfan0704]

Also spoke to Henri stern. They said they can convert my strap to quick release. I imagine there’s a small tool they use to cut the hole. I think this is preferable to trying to get stiff strap on without quick release.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GGGMT]

If you won’t do it and they can’t do it, you’re keeping the current strap.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sportsfan0704]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

If you won’t do it and they can’t do it, you’re keeping the current strap.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I decided to have quick release option added to the strap so that it will be easier for anyone whether it is myself or WEMPE to do the change. I think the timing with Henry Stern is too difficult.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Calatrava r]

It's not hard to change straps. The strap appears to be very stiff, but it will actually ply down easily after a few presses with a correct tool. Many people use a thin study blade as opposed to the specified tool which is thicker and can scratch the inside of the lug. The best tool is your thumbnail if its sturdy enough. There is really no way to totally avoid a very light track mark to the hole, but with practice as alignment becomes better the pin goes directly to the hole without searching for it.

Once your strap is off, order one with spring bar cuts and the quick release pins. With skill those can be retracted until the pin is directly over the hole.

Outer lug scratching from traditional strap replacement should never happen. Taping should not be needed. People with unsteady hands, weak fingers or poor eyesight should leave the process to watchmakers.

[doctoryellow]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

People with unsteady hands, weak fingers or poor eyesight should leave the process to watchmakers.

Unfortunately these are some of the watchmakers scratching our watches

[Michael T]

If the old strap is not going back on, they can slice the strap at the lug to access the spring bar without having to wedge the tool between the strap and the lug. The quick release spring bars work great.