Spring bars

[jennyn]

How durable are the spring bars? If I were to use full force, would I be able to bend the pin (I am a female)?

[Wingman244]

Since you are a female - then no you can't bend the bars. (just kidding...)

I don't know why you are asking, spring bars are super-strong. They will break, but if they do, and your watch is on your wrist - your watch is going to be the least of your worries.

There are stories that some have lost watches due to broken spring bars, if that is your concern, wear a NATO strap then both spring bars have to break to lose the watch. Otherwise I just don't think it is worth being concerned about. It is what I would call a low probability failure mode.

[jennyn]

Well, I am asking because we females like to wear our bracelets loose. I was wondering if that can potentially damage the bracelet. Also, would wearing the bracelet too tight cause tension that may potentially lead to the spring bars bending?

[TxHarleyGuy]

Originally Posted by jennyn

Well, I am asking because we females like to wear our bracelets loose. I was wondering if that can potentially damage the bracelet. Also, would wearing the bracelet too tight cause tension that may potentially lead to the spring bars bending?

I think you'll be fine regardless of how you choose to wear your Rolex.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by jennyn

Well, I am asking because we females like to wear our bracelets loose. I was wondering if that can potentially damage the bracelet. Also, would wearing the bracelet too tight cause tension that may potentially lead to the spring bars bending?

You won't bend the springbars with a too-loose bracelet.. In fact, the loads on spring-bars are shear-loads, and it is very unlikely you can bend one at all by wearing it on the standard bracelet. They usually get bent accidentally after they get taken off.

However, two things happen when you wear it loose.

1. You subject the bracelet attaching parts and points to "hammering" forces as it jangles up and down. These are similar to hammering of a nail - hence the name, and are more damaging than a tighter bracelet.

2. The heavy watch head will swing to the bottom and stay there where it will not wind as designed. Loose dangling watches need to be wound as if they were not self-wound.

[Rocket_Man]

Rolex sells a million watches a year, year after year. That is a lot of wear time with people that wear them tight and loose. I've never heard of a bent spring bar. So it must not be very common at all. I wouldn't worry about it.

Aftermarket spring bars can be bent on purpose. One watch I have I bent them on purpose to give more clearance between the watch case and the spring bar so a Nato strap can fit. I've never tried to bend a Rolex spring bar though.

[rollee1]

In Rolex bracelet design, the spring bars are encased inside end links, the end links fuse seamlessly in between lugs. There is no gap and absolutely no free play; unlike leather, canvas or rubber straps which are soft with lots of wiggle room.

Chances of bending spring bars in Rolex bracelets are close to zero, unless you are hanging off a cliff with only the watch as support. Even then, the protruding part of the spring bar inside the lug hole is too short for a fulcrum to take effect, perhaps hang another person or 2 together?

[Wingman244]

Originally Posted by rollee1

In Rolex bracelet design, the spring bars are encased inside end links, the end links fuse seamlessly in between lugs. There is no gap and absolutely no free play; unlike leather, canvas or rubber straps which are soft with lots of wiggle room.

Chances of bending spring bars in Rolex bracelets are close to zero, unless you are hanging off a cliff with only the watch as support. Even then, the protruding part of the spring bar inside the lug hole is too short for a fulcrum to take effect, perhaps hang another person or 2 together?

This....

[jennyn]

Interesting - that was very informative.

[kilyung]

I've never seen bent springbars in all my years of collecting watches. Ever. Regardless these are considered consumables and should be replaced (as part of a service) regularly as a prevent maintenance consideration.

[lew07]

Can We see Your watch please??

[porschedude]

You will be fine wearing your rolex however you choose, they take this into consideration when making these watches. They are way more durable than what you think.

[masyv6]

Originally Posted by porschedude

You will be fine wearing your rolex however you choose, they take this into consideration when making these watches. They are way more durable than what you think.

Yep! This is a veiled "is it safe for..." thread

[jennyn]

Haha, I was just wondering if any guys out here have actually tried bending the spring bars. If so, I guess I might out of found my dream guy.

[Boaters]

Wow

[sinncollector]

non-rolex, generic ones are not so resilient. I've bent, broken a lot of spring bars from strap changes, etc. on my vintage and other tool watches. good thing they fell apart during strap changes and not when I was wearing them. and i'm not even clumsy, I tend to do it slowly and carefully but still some break

[jennyn]

What's wow?