Spring Bar Issue

[isgrb]

So bought a two year old Cameron Deepsea 116660 today. Obviously thrilled, take it home to clean. Remove the bracelet without a problem (I use spring bar tweezers) and do my thing. 20 minutes later I try to put the bracelet back on and really struggle until I finally realize that only one end of the spring bar is compressing. Take a look at the other spring bar and neither end of that are compressing.

The watch is only two years old so it’s not a vintage piece or anything but has anyone else experienced this? Can’t figure out what would have happened in the 20 minutes where I easily removed the bracelet and then tried to put it back on. I could see if maybe one end fused or something but 3 out of 4?

I’m all ears if you have a solution but I’m guessing I just need to get new spring bars from an AD.

[Chewbacca]

It’s happened to me. But not on a relatively new Rolex. Their springs are ss along with the bar so it’s unlikely corrosion or rust.

Post pics of the bar and back of the watch.

[10klakes]

The spring bars seem to lock. I’ve experienced this- hold it in your fingers and press down on a hard surface and it will sort of pop and begin compressing again. You may need to do this to both sides. I think it’s intended to do this as a locking mechanism once it’s in place.

Note: it’s happened on brand new references for me (126710, 116500, etc), doing bracelet swaps.

[isgrb]

Got to be locked or something as I just tried it again and now all FOUR of them don’t budge. I’m pushing fairly hard (don’t want to bend them) on a stone surface and they don’t move at all. Very frustrating indeed.

[10klakes]

Originally Posted by isgrb

Got to be locked or something as I just tried it again and now all FOUR of them don’t budge. I’m pushing fairly hard (don’t want to bend them) on a stone surface and they don’t move at all. Very frustrating indeed.

I’ve never bent one, but I have experienced this. Hold the spring bar near the middle, between your fingers, and press straight down. Should pop and begin flexing/compressing.

[isgrb]

Here’s a pic, the spring bars look brand new. Trying your suggestion but no luck, obviously I’m missing something as they shouldn’t all be locked (and one of them was fine a few minutes ago).

[bezler]

I once had a springbar from a 90s sub lock up. I put it in a makeshift aluminum foil cup to soak in WD-40 overnight. It worked like a charm.

I've also locked up springbars by bending them. No solution there.

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[isgrb]

Figured it out. Putting them back in the bracelet in a specific way unlocked them. Crisis averted, I won’t be taking it off again anytime soon!

[Drifter288]

How exactly did you unlock them?

[enjoythemusic]

Soak in warm oil for 20 minutes or so, then work the springbar 10 or 15 times. Then let soak another 20 minutes, work the springbacks 10 to 15 times. Clean and reinstall.

[Bluside]

Originally Posted by isgrb

Figured it out. Putting them back in the bracelet in a specific way unlocked them. Crisis averted, I won’t be taking it off again anytime soon!

What did you do?

[77T]

Originally Posted by isgrb

Figured it out. Putting them back in the bracelet in a specific way unlocked them. Crisis averted, I won’t be taking it off again anytime soon!

You must have have been able to somehow compress them while they were out of the bracelet in order to reinstall it.

Maybe they have some grit inside and the “crisis” will resurface in the future - or your original method with the tweezers was imprecise.

If it was just the tweezers causing a problem, you might practice using an easier method. Perhaps with a simple springbar forked tool you will have no problems in the future.


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[stylinleems]

I have had this happen all the time on various spring-bars (DJ, Subs, Daytona, SkyD). I believe this is normal.

What I do it, that I place the 'locked' side down on a tray or soft cloth and push down and continue doing so once the 'locked' side 'unlocks'.

Just don't use any tools pushing down or trying to unlock the bar as this might damage it, own weight is fine.

[isgrb]

Not sure if the bracelet is designed to ‘release’ the lock if the spring bar is inserted in a specific way but that’s what appears to have happened. Pretty cool if that’s true, gives me more confidence in the spring bar not breaking, especially with a big heavy piece like the Deepsea.

[lowmandfl]

You can also get a set of spring bars from Everest for the 116660 for $25 or so. They’re made to OEM specs, and are nice. You could also call an AD, but Everest is cheap and high quality with fast shipping.

[Bluside]

I still don't understand what makes the springbar lock???

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by lowmandfl

You can also get a set of spring bars from Everest for the 116660 for $25 or so. They’re made to OEM specs, and are nice. You could also call an AD, but Everest is cheap and high quality with fast shipping.

$25 is not cheap when genuine Rolex spring bars cost about $8/pair

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by Bluside

I still don't understand what makes the springbar lock???

It’s pretty common with Rolex bars.

If the spring bar is allowed to ping open, the moveable pin ‘overextends’ itself just a little, but enough that the friction required to overcome it is fairly high.

It is easily rectified by pressing the spring bar downwards on to a solid surface. It will ‘click’ and then resume regular function.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

It’s pretty common with Rolex bars.

If the spring bar is allowed to ping open, the moveable pin ‘overextends’ itself just a little, but enough that the friction required to overcome it is fairly high.

It is easily rectified by pressing the spring bar downwards on to a solid surface. It will ‘click’ and then resume regular function.

Thanks Scott, glad to have you here

[Bluside]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

It’s pretty common with Rolex bars.

If the spring bar is allowed to ping open, the moveable pin ‘overextends’ itself just a little, but enough that the friction required to overcome it is fairly high.

It is easily rectified by pressing the spring bar downwards on to a solid surface. It will ‘click’ and then resume regular function.

Thanks. Good info.

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Thanks Scott, glad to have you here

Originally Posted by Bluside

Thanks. Good info.

[sirish19]

I have this happen a lot with my 2-year old Sub. I put them between the thick part of the tweezers and squeeze both side a few times until the bar comes unlocked. This is pretty frustrating though and I am sure that it has led to me scratching the hell out of my lugs.


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[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

$25 is not cheap when genuine Rolex spring bars cost about $8/pair

How about gold ones? Bet they are a bit more than that. I have a 116618LB

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

How about gold ones? Bet they are a bit more than that. I have a 116618LB

Would be around $100 for 18ct spring bars.