14060M: Tight Space Between Lug-Bars and Case?

[powerband]

EDIT: I just inadvertently posted this question on a different forum, but realized that TRF has higher traffic with lots of experience members. Sorry if you stumble on this question twice in two places.


Hi Everyone,

I've worn dozens of watches on NATO and Zulu straps, both of nylon and leather. But for some reason I'm having difficulty snaking a thin shell cordovan leather NATO (basically almost as thin as a typical nylon NATO) through.

• Does anyone have experience with snaking an *apparently thicker* strap through their ND Sub?
• Do you guys take off the spring bars to install a NATO (which defeats the ease of switching out to multiple NATO straps)?

I've even seen pictures of thicker leather straps on 14060 Subs. Is it generally a tight fit between lug-bars and case on this model?

Thanks for any help!

[Thatguy]

Get some smaller diameter spring bars if the strap is thicker.

[powerband]

Originally Posted by Thatguy

Get some smaller diameter spring bars if the strap is thicker.

Thanks! I had thought this might be the case.

- Have other members done this for their Subs?
- Any spring bars will do?
- Won't thinner spring bars increase wear to lug-holes?

Cheers.

[ecsub44]

Originally Posted by Thatguy

Get some smaller diameter spring bars if the strap is thicker.

Bad idea...

Use only Rolex bars...trust me...the "fake" ones can/will/do fail.

Instead of "snaking" the strap through, try putting it place on the back of the watch. Then carefully install the spring bars. You'll absolutely destroy that lovely leather if you try snaking it through.

[accce]

Dont snake it. Put the strap on first fold it back and put the pins in.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by ecsub44

Bad idea...

Use only Rolex bars...trust me...the "fake" ones can/will/do fail.

Instead of "snaking" the strap through, try putting it place on the back of the watch. Then carefully install the spring bars. You'll absolutely destroy that lovely leather if you try snaking it through.

This 100%

[joe100]

Originally Posted by ecsub44

Bad idea...

Use only Rolex bars...trust me...the "fake" ones can/will/do fail.

Instead of "snaking" the strap through, try putting it place on the back of the watch. Then carefully install the spring bars. You'll absolutely destroy that lovely leather if you try snaking it through.

This +500

[77T]

Agree that it's a tight fit - so removing the spring bars is best way. After you wear the leather NATO for a week or so, there will be well marked lines on the leather where it bends around the bars. Then re-installation will be just as easy as threading would have been.

[powerband]

Thanks, everyone.

Just want to make sure that, putting on the leather NATO strap by removing and then reinstalling the spring-bars (with a little elbow grease, as it seems to be required) will not bend or deform the bars? The spring-bars are OEM Rolex.

Thanks for the information!

[77T]

Originally Posted by powerband

Thanks, everyone.

Just want to make sure that, putting on the leather NATO strap by removing and then reinstalling the spring-bars (with a little elbow grease, as it seems to be required) will not bend or deform the bars? The spring-bars are OEM Rolex.

Thanks for the information!

Only you can be the judge of how much downward pressure this NATO will put on the springbars. But the good thing is this - if one of them fails, the other will keep the head from falling away.

[kilyung]

Get some spare bars just in case.