Spring bars... all created equal?

[Newportkrieger]

Only two small, thin pieces of metal keep us from disaster on a daily basis. Are all sping bars created equal? Should we all be using a specific brand (Rolex??)?

Should they be changed out periodically in ensure we do not loose our watches?

Has anyone had a bad experience they can share?

Steve

[mitchy]

The rolex springbars are about 10x tge quality found on any other watch from my experience. The ones used on seikos for example are really thin in comparison, I can tell you cause I change around 10 springbars a day at work and even the ones on omega don't come close to rolex's. As for changing them well rolex change them every time at service but if your worried order some spare and keep them at home and every 6 or so months check them, they are designed to be the weakest point on the watch, but the rolex ones as stated can withstand a he'll of a lot more pressure than other brands.
Also good to note that the rolex's with lug holes have even stronger uni-bars which because they go 'through' the watch lugs rather than just rest in a recess are a better design for stability :) hope that helps mate

[Newportkrieger]

Originally Posted by x06verdm

The rolex springbars are about 10x tge quality found on any other watch from my experience. The ones used on seikos for example are really thin in comparison, I can tell you cause I change around 10 springbars a day at work and even the ones on omega don't come close to rolex's. As for changing them well rolex change them every time at service but if your worried order some spare and keep them at home and every 6 or so months check them, they are designed to be the weakest point on the watch, but the rolex ones as stated can withstand a he'll of a lot more pressure than other brands.
Also good to note that the rolex's with lug holes have even stronger uni-bars which because they go 'through' the watch lugs rather than just rest in a recess are a better design for stability :) hope that helps mate

Great concise answer.. very much apreciated. I take it you are in the "industry"?

[Perdu]

There is a huge difference in the quality of spring bars. Also best to choose the highest quality and like Mitch says the Rolex ones are hard to beat but any high quality Swiss SS bars will do the job.

[mitchy]

Originally Posted by Newportkrieger

Great concise answer.. very much apreciated. I take it you are in the "industry"?

yes i am Steve,i currently work at a local watch repair shop and i'm about to start an apprenticeship to be a Rolex technician at my local AD in about a month so ill try my hardest to answer all questions here

[Jason71]

Buy your bars from Ofrei.com. They have Rolex replacement bars, and they are very high quality and quite affordable. No reason to pay the premium from your Rolex AD.

Also, I don't agree with the above statement regarding all Seiko spring bars. It is tough to beat Seiko fat bars. I use them on other brands (other than just Seiko) and those things are practically BULLETPROOF.

[Newportkrieger]

Originally Posted by jclevoy

Buy your bars from Ofrei.com. They have Rolex replacement bars, and they are very high quality and quite affordable. No reason to pay the premium from your Rolex AD.

Also, I don't agree with the above statement regarding all Seiko spring bars. It is tough to beat Seiko fat bars. I use them on other brands (other than just Seiko) and those things are practically BULLETPROOF.

You read my mind in so much as where to buy Rolex replacements. Thanks.

[slevin kelevra]

I have purchased leather straps that come with "high quality" swiss spring bars and I would never use them as they are very thin compared to the original ones on my 14060m. I was even able to bend one with my hands.


Jclevoy, So would the ones at the top of the page on the Ofrie website be the best for my 14060m?

http://www.ofrei.com/page_155.html

Thanks

[Tachymeter]

Originally Posted by Newportkrieger

Great concise answer.. very much apreciated. I take it you are in the "industry"?

So I guess this is an excample of "Great thoughts from the land down under! "
http://www.rolexforums.com/showpost....4&postcount=59

Jerk

[JimSnyder]

Originally Posted by jclevoy

Buy your bars from Ofrei.com. They have Rolex replacement bars, and they are very high quality and quite affordable. No reason to pay the premium from your Rolex AD.

Also, I don't agree with the above statement regarding all Seiko spring bars. It is tough to beat Seiko fat bars. I use them on other brands (other than just Seiko) and those things are practically BULLETPROOF.

X2 The Seiko fat spring bars are very good. I have never seen one come apart even on an older diver of 25 or 30 years they look brand new

[Cabaiguan]

Seiko "fat" springbars are nearly indestructible.

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by slevin kelevra

I have purchased leather straps that come with "high quality" swiss spring bars and I would never use them as they are very thin compared to the original ones on my 14060m. I was even able to bend one with my hands.


Jclevoy, So would the ones at the top of the page on the Ofrie website be the best for my 14060m?

http://www.ofrei.com/page_155.html

Thanks

Yes, EXACTLY. The FB-7895. I have bought those exact bars for my 14060M and my 16710 and 16600 all with drilled lugs. They work perfectly.

[mitchy]

Originally Posted by slevin kelevra

I have purchased leather straps that come with "high quality" swiss spring bars and I would never use them as they are very thin compared to the original ones on my 14060m. I was even able to bend one with my hands.


Jclevoy, So would the ones at the top of the page on the Ofrie website be the best for my 14060m?

http://www.ofrei.com/page_155.html

Thanks

um yes they are sposed to be that way mate :D the spring bars are designed to be bent (in fact there is a tool that does it) so that the band doesn't rub on the case in between the lugs and hence where down the leather. those spring-bars are decent quality but not as good as the thick Rolex ones :D
as for the Seiko fats yes they are good for rubber diving straps but they don't really fit (diameter wise) inside metal bracelets ie Oyster bracelets but if you could get them in, then they wouldnt be comming out or off in a hurry

[Ed Rooney]

Originally Posted by x06verdm

um yes they are sposed to be that way mate :D the spring bars are designed to be bent (in fact there is a tool that does it) so that the band doesn't rub on the case in between the lugs and hence where down the leather. those spring-bars are decent quality but not as good as the thick Rolex ones :D
as for the Seiko fats yes they are good for rubber diving straps but they don't really fit (diameter wise) inside metal bracelets ie Oyster bracelets but if you could get them in, then they wouldnt be comming out or off in a hurry

That's a valid point. On a nylon strap, my SKX007's original fat springbars are amazing, but the ones that came with my Super Oyster are garbage.

[JimSnyder]

Originally Posted by Ed Rooney

That's a valid point. On a nylon strap, my SKX007's original fat springbars are amazing, but the ones that came with my Super Oyster are garbage.

They make solid end pieces for the Seiko Super oysters that take the fat springbars

[Akira]

Nice thread, guys, yhanks for info!

Do someone have one idea what steel Rolex uses for his springbars? 904L or kinda titanium or something else?

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by Akira

Nice thread, guys, yhanks for info!

Do someone have one idea what steel Rolex uses for his springbars? 904L or kinda titanium or something else?

I feel quite certain that they use 316L SS.

[sheldonsmith]

FYI, for ones who want to order Rolex springbars, the part numbers are embedded in this .pdf file. I find that ordering through an AD who has a Rolex parts account with these part numbers insures that you get actual Rolex springbars.

-Sheldon

[bbqBiker]

great info...all.

[sailmed]

I recall reading a thread in a well-known mil-watch forum about a fellow who landed in a tree with his parachute. He ended up hanging by his Rolex, caught in a branch until he freed himself. This speaks to the respectable strength of the Rolex bracelets and springbars, in my opinion.

[rolexforumsfan]

Are the Ofrei spring bars the exact same length as the Rolex originals and will flush with lug hole ends?

[joe100]

Three letters: O E M

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Jason71

Buy your bars from Ofrei.com. They have Rolex replacement bars, and they are very high quality and quite affordable. No reason to pay the premium from your Rolex AD.

Also, I don't agree with the above statement regarding all Seiko spring bars. It is tough to beat Seiko fat bars. I use them on other brands (other than just Seiko) and those things are practically BULLETPROOF.

X2

[rolexforumsfan]

Originally Posted by joe100

Three letters: O E M

Just to clarify. Are you saying Ofrei sells exactly the same spring bars that Rolex uses at the factory minus the Rolex packaging?