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#1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: New York
Posts: 851
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Henri stern for watch strap change
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!
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#2 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Real Name: Frank
Location: Dallas,NY,Colo.
Watch: Patek 5168, 5170P
Posts: 2,517
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Quote:
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#3 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: New York
Posts: 851
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Quote:
Without hearing they’ve done a goood job |
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#4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: The best coast
Watch: 5726, 5212
Posts: 692
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Just have who ever does tape the lugs. Any watchmaker can do it
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#5 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Real Name: gus
Location: East Coast
Watch: APK & sometimes Y
Posts: 26,265
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Quote:
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.
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#6 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Real Name: Frank
Location: Dallas,NY,Colo.
Watch: Patek 5168, 5170P
Posts: 2,517
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I’ve always changed my own straps but if I couldn’t trust the staff at Stern I wouldn’t trust anyone else.
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#7 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: New York
Posts: 851
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Quote:
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#8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: New York
Posts: 851
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#9 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Real Name: gus
Location: East Coast
Watch: APK & sometimes Y
Posts: 26,265
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Quote:
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.
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#10 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: New York
Posts: 851
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Quote:
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 |
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#11 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 2,371
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I had a 3940 serviced a few months back at HS. My assumption is they can change a strap without any issue.
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#12 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: USA
Posts: 205
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I had them do one and they also pressure tested the watch while I waited. Appointments required.
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#13 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: New York
Posts: 851
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#14 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: California
Posts: 274
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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
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#15 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: New York
Posts: 851
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Quote:
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 |
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#16 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: New York
Posts: 851
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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.
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#17 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Itinerant
Watch: 79010sg
Posts: 8,283
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If you won’t do it and they can’t do it, you’re keeping the current strap.
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#18 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: New York
Posts: 851
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Quote:
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 |
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#19 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: United States
Watch: Rolex and Patek
Posts: 11,045
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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. |
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#20 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: California
Posts: 274
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#21 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,207
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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.
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