Vintage Datejust Bracelet Removal

[bcchiu]

My Datejust bracelet only has an opening for the spring bar on one side, so I can’t remove the bracelet. I’ve searched everywhere but haven’t found anything similar to mine—most bracelets seem to have openings on both sides for the spring bar. Would appreciate any help with removing this type of bracelet.

Thank you for your help!

[swish77]

What reference is your DJ? Mid-‘90s and earlier should have drilled lugs, which would solve your problem.

Regardless, I would assume that your end links are either wrong and/or aftermarket. A trip to your local watchmaker might be in your future.

[Mark020]

I don’t understand you problem? If you have a fork like tool this is a 10 second job

[bcchiu]

Originally Posted by Mark020

I don’t understand you problem? If you have a fork like tool this is a 10 second job

I can release the spring bar on one side using a tool where the opening is located, but this doesn’t fully free the end link from the watch. It seems the other side is still engaged, but there’s no visible opening to insert the tool and release the spring bar.

[Tools]

The slots on those end links are DIY.

Those links are for a case with holes through the lugs for removal, so somebody modified them to use on the newer no-holes cases.

As to removal, you only need to free one side and it will come right out, you never need to free both sides. If you are using the tweezer style spring bar tool you would need both sides, but that isn't the most common tool.

[Dan S]

One side should be enough for someone who knows what they are doing. If you can’t do it, take it to a watch repair shop.

[TuRo]

It's because the tube of the spring bars is too wide for 2Omm lug hole less version at about c 19.75mm I'm guessing, and the protruding two end bits being wide and stubby per the lug hole versions, looking at photo.... so even prying some of the retractable but hard to grip (as no ridges as proper lugless spring bar end should have) spring inwards, there s still some of end remaining in the hole and hence it won't budge. One for a jewellery expert. It might mean the end link being expanded out/pulled apart/unreusable though.