Distance between the spring bar and the end of the lug

[odR]

Hi,

Are there any guidelines regarding the space between the end of the spring bars and the end of the lug? I've read a few horror stories in the past regarding people loosing/dropping their watches due to faulty/not correctly set spring bars.


As I understand the general thumbrule regarding spring bars should be that they should be visible but not protrude, but what about the distance between the lug ends and the spring bar?
Are you fine regarding not dropping it as long as the ends of the spring bar are showing through the lug holes?

Attached two pictures of my 16613, showing both ends. I find that the marked one in picture 1 should be closer to the end of the lug.

Thanks in advance!

[odR]

Maybe should have posted this topic in the WatchTech-section instead, if an admin could move the topic that would be great!

[Richard Carver]

Spring bars are like tire tread indicators. The closer they are to the hole the more metal has been polished off. 2-3 mm depth is about factory and as they get polished over the years the more visible they become. The watch you show has been polished quite a bit

As far as failure, it's usually the spring bar rusting the internal spring and falling apart. If your watch gets wet frequently have the spring bars replaced every year, They fill with water and never have a chance to dry out.

This is a 1991 16570 with average depth, as you can see still quite a lot of space between the spring bar end and the edge of the hole.



As vintage become ever more valuable making use of the new welding techniques become worth considering.

[harry in montreal]

I am due to buy some bars. Thank you Richard.

[Richard Carver]

Originally Posted by harry in montreal

I am due to buy some bars. Thank you Richard.

It's quite personal to me. One fine day I had been to the drive through ATM and was heading to Keller's Drive In for some world famous grease burgers and some longnecks. I looked down and my beautiful 1972 TT GMT was gone!

It must have fallen off at the ATM! It's either been run over a 100 times or it's gracing the wrist of some lucky jerk I hated with the intensity of 1000 suns.I turned around and raced back to the bank. I don't know if you've ever lost a Rolex but it's terrifying.

Hoping against hope I was feeling around my seat as I destroyed the traffic code. as I felt under the seat adjuster my fingertips touched cool Rolexian steel. I pulled over and there was my sweet 1675 hanging by one spring bar. The interior spring had indeed rusted through.

I bought a box of 20mm bars and have been changing them on everything I get without fail ever since.

[donq]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

It's quite personal to me. One fine day I had been to the drive through ATM and was heading to Keller's Drive In for some world famous grease burgers and some longnecks. I looked down and my beautiful 1972 TT GMT was gone!

It must have fallen off at the ATM! It's either been run over a 100 times or it's gracing the wrist of some lucky jerk I hated with the intensity of 1000 suns.I turned around and raced back to the bank. I don't know if you've ever lost a Rolex but it's terrifying.

Hoping against hope I was feeling around my seat as I destroyed the traffic code. as I felt under the seat adjuster my fingertips touched cool Rolexian steel. I pulled over and there was my sweet 1675 hanging by one spring bar. The interior spring had indeed rusted through.

I bought a box of 20mm bars and have been changing them on everything I get without fail ever since.

The road home from Keller’s is seldom as joyous as the road to.

I’m partial to the Harry Hines location myself.

[Richard Carver]

Originally Posted by donq

The road home from Keller’s is seldom as joyous as the road to.

I’m partial to the Harry Hines location myself.

lol, the "new" location.

[springer]

Ah...Keller's. I haven't been there in a while but could use one right now.

[Richard Carver]

Originally Posted by springer

Ah...Keller's. I haven't been there in a while but could use one right now.

Some of those carhops are pushing 80 now lol

[214270Explorer]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

It's quite personal to me. One fine day I had been to the drive through ATM and was heading to Keller's Drive In for some world famous grease burgers and some longnecks. I looked down and my beautiful 1972 TT GMT was gone!

It must have fallen off at the ATM! It's either been run over a 100 times or it's gracing the wrist of some lucky jerk I hated with the intensity of 1000 suns.I turned around and raced back to the bank. I don't know if you've ever lost a Rolex but it's terrifying.

Hoping against hope I was feeling around my seat as I destroyed the traffic code. as I felt under the seat adjuster my fingertips touched cool Rolexian steel. I pulled over and there was my sweet 1675 hanging by one spring bar. The interior spring had indeed rusted through.

I bought a box of 20mm bars and have been changing them on everything I get without fail ever since.

Jeez you got lucky that day !!!! A good reminder for people to check their bars on occasion.