Bracelet Pins

[Colin M]

Hi all a quick question that's been at the back of mind the last few days. I have 14060m now getting on for 14 years old and been serviced 3 times since the day it was born, last time in 11/04/12 and is worn every single day.

Its about to get saltwater use daily and i mean daily but will clean in fresh water at the end of each working day

How often should the main pins that hold the bracelet to the main watch be replaced !

I would hate to be doing something over the boat and ooops pin snaps and my dear auld friend is gone to the bottom of the sea.

Hope someone can advise

Cheers

[kilyung]

i generally ask to have the springbars replaced at each service.

[kaseri]

Originally Posted by kilyung

i generally ask to have the springbars replaced at each service.

I also recommend you request the spring bars to be replaced at service time. If you would like to replace them more frequently Otto Frei has them for the 14060. I assume the same ones will fit your "m".

The Otto Frei part number is FB-7895

[GolfPunk]

5 years or more

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Colin M

. .
How often should the main pins that hold the bracelet to the main watch be replaced !

The spring-bars should have been replaced at each service if they are worn.. If you have concerns, replace them, they're cheap.

[iclick]

I never thought much about the spring bars, but when I had my GMT 1675 serviced last year I was shocked and embarrassed when the watchmaker told me they were worn almost to the point of failure. He sent them with the watch and I was appalled! I never had a policy of inspecting them myself.

I assumed if they needed to be replaced that it would be done at every service, which I performed about every five years over the past almost 44. Now I'll be more conscious of them and will make sure I inspect them regularly, as they are easy to remove and obviously a very important structural component of the watch. Check those spring bars periodically and don't depend on a watchmaker to do it!

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by iclick

I never thought much about the spring bars, but when I had my GMT 1675 serviced last year I was shocked and embarrassed when the watchmaker told me they were worn almost to the point of failure. He sent them with the watch and I was appalled! I never had a policy of inspecting them myself.

I assumed if they needed to be replaced that it would be done at every service, which I performed about every five years over the past almost 44. Now I'll be more conscious of them and will make sure I inspect them regularly, as they are easy to remove and obviously a very important structural component of the watch. Check those spring bars periodically and don't depend on a watchmaker to do it!

Exactly why I ask for them to be replaced.

[Xenophon]

A few years ago on a four month expedition where I was diving three times a day six days a week I wore my Submariner all the time. Even though I rinsed it sparingly in fresh water after each dive the spring bars appeared rusted when viewed through the case holes towards the end of the expedition. After that I always took a spare pair with me.

[bitfield]

Originally Posted by Colin M

I would hate to be doing something over the boat and ooops pin snaps and my dear auld friend is gone to the bottom of the sea.

I'd put it on a NATO to prevent exactly that.

[T. Ferguson]

I'm not much into NATO straps but if I was on the water everyday or any other environment regularly where a spring bar failure would result in a lost watch, I'd become a NATO fan pretty quick.

[Colin M]

Many thanks for the replies, Would the local dealer here in Dubai be able to change them i can only assume that they were changed each service, But i would rather be safe than sorry, Meaning could they do them while waiting or would i have to allow them to send it away !

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Colin M

Many thanks for the replies, Would the local dealer here in Dubai be able to change them i can only assume that they were changed each service, But i would rather be safe than sorry, Meaning could they do them while waiting or would i have to allow them to send it away !

It should take all of two minutes to change out the spring bars while you wait. They should have them on hand even if they don't have a watchmaker on staff.

[Colin M]

It should take all of two minutes to change out the spring bars while you wait. They should have them on hand even if they don't have a watchmaker on staff.

I will take the time tomorrow and pay them a visit