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Old 26 July 2022, 04:58 AM   #1
Spartyfan6262
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Blancpain Fifty Fathoms - should I worry about the springbars coming loose?

Hello Guys -

I've recently learned that the Fifty Fathoms doesn't employ traditional springbars. Instead, it uses a bar that screws into a hex head receptor inside the lugbar. But knowing this, I'm a little concerned about whether the hex head could come loose during heavy use of the watch.

Have any owners seen this happen? Or is this something I shouldn't worry about at all?

Thank you!
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Old 26 July 2022, 05:31 AM   #2
endo
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Never had it happen on my 45 and i change straps like i change pants.

They’ll have loctite on the screws too, so take some doing to losen up.
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Old 26 July 2022, 05:38 AM   #3
Spartyfan6262
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Never had it happen on my 45 and i change straps like i change pants.

They’ll have loctite on the screws too, so take some doing to losen up.
Thanks, Endo. I just had the boutique put the bracelet on and, while it's a fantastic bracelet, I think the sailcloth just works better. Once my hex tools arrive, I will make the swap and rest easy that they won't come off.
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Old 26 July 2022, 08:46 AM   #4
GB-man
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If anything it sounds more secure.
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Old 26 July 2022, 09:08 AM   #5
Rolextellstime
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Spartyfan6262 View Post
Thanks, Endo. I just had the boutique put the bracelet on and, while it's a fantastic bracelet, I think the sailcloth just works better. Once my hex tools arrive, I will make the swap and rest easy that they won't come off.
Would you mind to share where you ordered the hex tool?

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Old 26 July 2022, 09:16 AM   #6
ajw45
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The screw fixed bars are a huge upgrade over traditional spring bars. Way more secure since they go all the way through the thick lugs. Never had these come loose and much less fiddly then spring bars when you have a thick strap.
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Old 27 July 2022, 02:23 AM   #7
Spartyfan6262
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Would you mind to share where you ordered the hex tool?

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Absolutely. I found a seller on Amazon selling 5 .9mm hex heads for under ten dollars. If I recall correctly, I just did a google search for "hex head wrench for blancpain fifty fathoms." There were other tools that came up for more money, and many other tools that did not have the correct size, so you should sift through the results carefully.
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Old 27 July 2022, 02:24 AM   #8
Spartyfan6262
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Originally Posted by ajw45 View Post
The screw fixed bars are a huge upgrade over traditional spring bars. Way more secure since they go all the way through the thick lugs. Never had these come loose and much less fiddly then spring bars when you have a thick strap.
Great to hear! Thanks, AJW.
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Old 27 July 2022, 03:57 AM   #9
Gebbeth
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Hex bars are definitely more secure. If you are really paranoid though, a mild formula Loctite should work fine (watch grade).
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Old 27 July 2022, 07:07 AM   #10
K7Baixo2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Spartyfan6262 View Post
Absolutely. I found a seller on Amazon selling 5 .9mm hex heads for under ten dollars. If I recall correctly, I just did a google search for "hex head wrench for blancpain fifty fathoms." There were other tools that came up for more money, and many other tools that did not have the correct size, so you should sift through the results carefully.
If I might, two of these are perfect. They’re high quality tools to boot.


https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001P18O6
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Old 27 July 2022, 09:20 AM   #11
asiparks
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Never a problem in nearly 10 years of wearing...
the Wera tools from Amazon are good to go:

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Old 27 July 2022, 09:22 AM   #12
K7Baixo2
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And a drop of purple loctite!
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