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Porsche · 30 October 2008, 03:21 PM

Hi guys

with summer coming on here in Australia, I'll be spending most weekends at our "beach-shack" (yeah yeah, I know

)

I will obviously be going into the ocean for a swim and body-surf several times a day. I am still convincing myself that a trip-lock crown will keep the insides dry, but I am terrified that if I get rolled by a "dumper" I may emerge from the foamy water without my GMTIIc

How strong are the springbars? Am I crazy going into surf with a AU$8800 watch on?

My choices...
1. leave watch at home for the weekend and wear my Seiko divers
2. wear the GMT and take off before swimming (and leave in beach shack at with a small risk of theft)
3. wear GMT 24/7, and place my trust in the springbar strength

I have read posts about Nato straps having the security of still holding watch if one springbar breaks, but has anyone actually ever had this happen???

I guess if you were doing something rough, or maybe caught watch on a door, or something it may break, but how rough can a wave get???

Would love to hear...

SLS · 30 October 2008, 03:27 PM

Never had a problem with any of mine. I have bought a few vintage pieces that had the non-SEL end links and the spring bars were bent, but they still worked fine. This is when a NATO strap is nice, even when one spring bar fails, you have the other holding the watch to the strap. FWIW, I have surfed, body boarded, body surfed, snorkled, swam and never had a problem. Any modern Rolex should be fine.
~Scott

JJ Irani · 30 October 2008, 04:13 PM

No problem, John. The spring bars have been designed by Rolex to take a lot of strain and pull.

The SELs actually support the bar by creating an "umbrella" like protection. The 2 ends of the SELs hold firmly against the case while the bar nestles in the centre.

This gives added protection and solidity to the bar.

JJ

Porsche · 30 October 2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

No problem, John. The spring bars have been designed by Rolex to take a lot of strain and pull.

The SELs actually support the bar by creating an "umbrella" like protection. The 2 ends of the SELs hold firmly against the case while the bar nestles in the centre.

This gives added protection and solidity to the bar.

JJ

Thanks JJ, I get it, the SEL acts as a "sleeve", so it's like trying to bend a pipe-inside-a-pipe

Quote:

Originally Posted by directioneng

John,
IMO leave your GMT in a safe place and enjoy your weekends.
It doesn't sound like you would if you were wearing your GMT.

Good idea, but how can I enjoy my weekend without my Rolex on

EDIT: I'd still like to hear if anyone broke a springbar and LOST their Rolex????

sbakar · 30 October 2008, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche

Thanks JJ, I get it, the SEL acts as a "sleeve", so it's like trying to bend a pipe-inside-a-pipe

Good idea, but how can I enjoy my weekend without my Rolex on

I think my answer solves the problem

Enjoy your weekend!

SNB

Jocke · 30 October 2008, 04:17 PM

The springbars can take heavy abuse.

Here is a 20 year old ones from one of my watches that still works.

Jocke

Andad · 30 October 2008, 04:26 PM

C,mon Jocke this is a serious post.

John,

IMO leave your GMT in a safe place and enjoy your weekends.

It doesn't sound like you would if you were wearing your GMT.

sbakar · 30 October 2008, 04:29 PM

Why not trust the springbars and have a good time!

SNB

ROLEXUS · 30 October 2008, 05:17 PM

http://www.clockmaker.com.au/watchma...nbracelet.html

This should answer your question John. YES! but seems to be older, well worn watches.

dkpw · 31 October 2008, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLEXUS

http://www.clockmaker.com.au/watchma...nbracelet.html

This should answer your question John. YES! but seems to be older, well worn watches.

What a great link! (Pardon the pun)

padi56 · 30 October 2008, 06:35 PM

Yes once in the Redsea but at the time there was around 15 stone hanging by the bracelet over the side of a boat,Still better for the spring bar to fail than my wrist but a SD lost to the abyss.

RsqVet · 30 October 2008, 06:44 PM

On lesser watches yes. On rolex no.

Having messed with a fair number of watches and bands over the years the differance between rolex springbars and more common watch parts is night and day --- way tighter, closer fit and very strong / hard to get out.

I have thought about it and other than solid bars like a mil-sub spring bars are about as foolproof as you can get.... and of course the funny thing is on a nato strap your watch is riding on 13 cents worth of nylon and a little bent piece of wire that forms the buckle. Not that I have issue with NATO straps, I just am not sure they are vastly better than a good SEL bracelet with good springbars

mailman · 30 October 2008, 07:15 PM

Wear the GMT and enjoy your weekends

veefour · 30 October 2008, 09:09 PM

Wearing a Rolex to the beach, pool, work, etc, etc, etc for the last 39 years (only 3 diff watches trough this time), and never had a spring bar issue.
If you want to use your's, it will be OK.
But if you'll spend your hollydays worried about it.......

cody p · 30 October 2008, 09:44 PM

only had my AK for 7 months, but i did have springbar failure on a zeno explorer while riding a bicycle in the city. needless to say, i got rid of it asap after that.

sheldonsmith · 30 October 2008, 10:29 PM

From http://www.minus4plus6.com/photos/photo34.htm

To answer your question, if the Springbars are less than five years old on a SEL bracelet, I think they will be fine... Wear your watch everywhere...

-Sheldon

veefour · 31 October 2008, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheldonsmith

From http://www.minus4plus6.com/photos/photo34.htm

To answer your question, if the Springbars are less than five years old on a SEL bracelet, I think they will be fine... Wear your watch everywhere...

-Sheldon

So are SEL weaker than old style?.
After 22 years on my wrist, wearing for EVERYTHING from sports, work on cars and bikes, painting walls, doing the garden etc, etc, springbars are as good as new.
Checked them a few months ago while installing a rubber band, just for a change.

delldeaton · 30 October 2008, 11:24 PM

Something for which my mind is now at ease!

30 October 2008, 03:21 PM	#1
Porsche 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Real Name: John Location: ɹǝpun Watch: and learn Posts: 2,986	Anyone ever break a SPRINGBAR? Hi guys with summer coming on here in Australia, I'll be spending most weekends at our "beach-shack" (yeah yeah, I know ) I will obviously be going into the ocean for a swim and body-surf several times a day. I am still convincing myself that a trip-lock crown will keep the insides dry, but I am terrified that if I get rolled by a "dumper" I may emerge from the foamy water without my GMTIIc How strong are the springbars? Am I crazy going into surf with a AU$8800 watch on? My choices... 1. leave watch at home for the weekend and wear my Seiko divers 2. wear the GMT and take off before swimming (and leave in beach shack at with a small risk of theft) 3. wear GMT 24/7, and place my trust in the springbar strength I have read posts about Nato straps having the security of still holding watch if one springbar breaks, but has anyone actually ever had this happen??? I guess if you were doing something rough, or maybe caught watch on a door, or something it may break, but how rough can a wave get??? Would love to hear... __________________ Obey Gravity, it's the Law! ROLEX --- SEIKO --- HEUER TRF REHAUT T H E R O L E X F O R U M T H E R O L E X F O R U M T H E R O L E X F O R U M T H E R O L E X F O R U M T H E R O L E X F O R U M T H E R O L E X F O R U M

30 October 2008, 03:27 PM	#2
SLS "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Scott Location: GMT -7 Watch: GMT's & Sub's Posts: 10,401	Never had a problem with any of mine. I have bought a few vintage pieces that had the non-SEL end links and the spring bars were bent, but they still worked fine. This is when a NATO strap is nice, even when one spring bar fails, you have the other holding the watch to the strap. FWIW, I have surfed, body boarded, body surfed, snorkled, swam and never had a problem. Any modern Rolex should be fine. ~Scott __________________ "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of lower price is forgotten." -Benjamin Franklin Member No. 922

30 October 2008, 04:13 PM	#3
JJ Irani Fondly Remembered Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: JJ Location: Auckland, NZ Watch: ALL SOLD!! Posts: 74,319	No problem, John. The spring bars have been designed by Rolex to take a lot of strain and pull. The SELs actually support the bar by creating an "umbrella" like protection. The 2 ends of the SELs hold firmly against the case while the bar nestles in the centre. This gives added protection and solidity to the bar. JJ __________________ Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!! I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!!

30 October 2008, 04:17 PM	#6
Jocke 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Real Name: Jocke Location: Sweden Watch: A dozen of Rolex's Posts: 22,541	The springbars can take heavy abuse. Here is a 20 year old ones from one of my watches that still works. Jocke __________________ This message is written in perfect swenglish. What is best a custom Rolex or a Rolex that is stuck in custom? Buy a professional camera and you´re a professional photographer, buy a flute and you own a flute.

30 October 2008, 04:26 PM	#7
Andad 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Eddie Location: Australia Watch: A few. Posts: 37,534	C,mon Jocke this is a serious post. John, IMO leave your GMT in a safe place and enjoy your weekends. It doesn't sound like you would if you were wearing your GMT. __________________ E

30 October 2008, 04:29 PM	#8
sbakar "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North Vancouver Posts: 650	Why not trust the springbars and have a good time! SNB

30 October 2008, 05:17 PM	#9
ROLEXUS "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 200	http://www.clockmaker.com.au/watchma...nbracelet.html This should answer your question John. YES! but seems to be older, well worn watches.

30 October 2008, 06:35 PM	#11
padi56 "TRF" Life Patron Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Peter Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng Watch: ing you. Posts: 53,063	Yes once in the Redsea but at the time there was around 15 stone hanging by the bracelet over the side of a boat,Still better for the spring bar to fail than my wrist but a SD lost to the abyss. __________________ ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder

30 October 2008, 06:44 PM	#12
RsqVet Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: USA Posts: 142	On lesser watches yes. On rolex no. Having messed with a fair number of watches and bands over the years the differance between rolex springbars and more common watch parts is night and day --- way tighter, closer fit and very strong / hard to get out. I have thought about it and other than solid bars like a mil-sub spring bars are about as foolproof as you can get.... and of course the funny thing is on a nato strap your watch is riding on 13 cents worth of nylon and a little bent piece of wire that forms the buckle. Not that I have issue with NATO straps, I just am not sure they are vastly better than a good SEL bracelet with good springbars

30 October 2008, 07:15 PM	#13
mailman TRF Moderator & SubLV41 2024 Patron Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: . Watch: 126610LN Posts: 35,510	Wear the GMT and enjoy your weekends __________________ JJ

30 October 2008, 09:09 PM	#14
veefour "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canary Islands Posts: 520	Wearing a Rolex to the beach, pool, work, etc, etc, etc for the last 39 years (only 3 diff watches trough this time), and never had a spring bar issue. If you want to use your's, it will be OK. But if you'll spend your hollydays worried about it....... __________________ 16800 Matt (1986) Avatar pic by Jocke

30 October 2008, 09:44 PM	#15
cody p "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada Watch: Air-King 114200 Posts: 2,878	only had my AK for 7 months, but i did have springbar failure on a zeno explorer while riding a bicycle in the city. needless to say, i got rid of it asap after that.

30 October 2008, 10:29 PM	#16
sheldonsmith 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Member 202♛ Posts: 1,815	From http://www.minus4plus6.com/photos/photo34.htm To answer your question, if the Springbars are less than five years old on a SEL bracelet, I think they will be fine... Wear your watch everywhere... -Sheldon __________________

30 October 2008, 11:24 PM	#18
delldeaton "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Real Name: Dell Deaton Location: NAWCC Museum! Watch: Never kiss & tell! Posts: 883	Great topic Something for which my mind is now at ease! __________________ . Watches, James Bond Watches .

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