Broken Spring bar...

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Porsche

Springbar Stress Test
Zulu v's leather

WARNING: Springbars were harmed in the making of this video...

FWIW, the video is interesting but flawed. The force causing the spring bar to bend is in the middle of the nylon strap (thumb induced). The same type of force isn't being applied in the leather example. Maybe it is easier to apply that type of force with a nylon weaved material than with leather but will it actually be applied is another issue. Can it be applied on the leather; I strongly believe that it is possible to do so but it doesn't look like much effort was put into doing it in the video.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

FWIW, the video is interesting but flawed. The force causing the spring bar to bend is in the middle of the nylon strap (thumb induced). The same type of force isn't being applied in the leather example. Maybe it is easier to apply that type of force with a nylon weaved material than with leather but will it actually be applied is another issue. Can it be applied on the leather; I strongly believe that it is possible to do so but it doesn't look like much effort was put into doing it in the video.

Yes it is, but not usually the case with leather. The one thing most leather straps have is the hole where the springbar goes through is reinforced with another piece of leather and even some like Panerai's have a metal tube inserted. I don't think the test is flawed but definitely an extreme case of pressure being put on the spingbar.

[waterman1]

Curious if the nato that caused the spring bar to pop out was of the proper size? My maratacs are 20mm leaving no side to side play on the 20mm spacing on my sea dweller. I could see an 18mm nato on a 20mm space causing the bars to pop out - easily. Maybe I've been extremely lucky but it sure seems solid to me but I'll be more careful.

[Foxglove]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

FWIW, the video is interesting but flawed. The force causing the spring bar to bend is in the middle of the nylon strap (thumb induced). The same type of force isn't being applied in the leather example. Maybe it is easier to apply that type of force with a nylon weaved material than with leather but will it actually be applied is another issue. Can it be applied on the leather; I strongly believe that it is possible to do so but it doesn't look like much effort was put into doing it in the video.

I thought the same thing when I watched the video. I doubt that kind of thumb in the middle force is likely to be applied to the nato anyway, but besides that, I agree with your comment and think it could happen to a leather also.

wearing a shoulderless springbar with a nato should be just fine long term. I've done it myself and never had an issue. Further, I've worn NATOs and ZULUs on dozens of watches for years and never once had an issue.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

The spring bar is designed to load uniformly across its' length. If the load is asymmetric or focused the spring bar can be overloaded and bend out of the retaining holes. The video shows just that - overloading and bending the spring bar.

A band that is sufficiently stiff as to replicate the uniform design loading for the spring bar will be safer, which is what was shown with the stiff leather band. A Rubber B is similarly designed.

Agree the NATO may focus more stress in the middle but it is increased if it is off the wrist and it does not appear to be equal force as presented

Using 2 different points of leverage, It appears that two different levels of force are being applied. I don't see your reply addressing that question?

[bondtoys]

IMO the video is ridiculous.

If it shows anything it is how bad the springbars of the "tested" watch are.

The bending won't happen that easily with a genuine Rolex springbar.

Q:"So how is it that we hear from springbar failures on Rolex watches here - even with genuine Rolex springbars?"
A: Because these NATO users used the wrong springbar types!

Due to the softer NATO fabric, the strap wiggles sideways (which does not happen with the metal end links of the steel bracelets) and the springbar wiggles as well and falls out. I am sure that every Rolex owner who complains about springbar failure with a Nato had a straight springbar of the new type with shoulders!

These new springbars don't cover the entire lug gap, these are springbars with sholders. And those can wiggle sideways and then fall out.
I am sure none of these springbars where bent whatsoever from the NATO strap.


Now when using a NATO, just use the old type of springbar (for lugholes) and nothing will happen.
The only negative will be that you have to cut the springbars with cutting pliers to remove them - so

DON'T USE THESE SPRINGBARS WITH METAL BRACELETS!!!

[Passionata]

Originally Posted by Porsche

Springbar Stress Test
Zulu v's leather

WARNING: Springbars were harmed in the making of this video...

great vid thanks for sharing ,i never thought a SB can take so much force.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

A springbar recently popped out of my SMP that I was wearing on a nato strap. I was a bit surprised. Out of curiosity, I tried to pop out the other springbar by applying a bit of force on the nato. Sure enough, it popped right out without much effort.

Never again will I wear a nato or zulu strap on a watch without shoulderless springbars.

Spring bar choice is important. Omegas (on bracelets) come with bars that are a bit less than 20mm, in order to facilitate removing solid end links bracelets. If using NATO, you want to find a full 20mm bar, and, as mentioned earlier, a shoilderless one you have to cut out is even better.

[pw98]

Why not just use two piece natos?