Lost a GMt…almost.

[aaamax]

The idea of a beater watch might be an exaggeration, but I have an older GMT that I use for everyday, around the ranch, not-too-careful-about what-is-being-done, usage.
Well my friends, after several hours of misc chores over the weekend I feel something flapping against my wrist. Low and behold one of my spring bars had given out at some point. Had I not been wearing my watch on a zulu (which by the way ALL my everyday work watches reside) the watch would have been lost. The realities of finding something as small as a watch head in the grass lands of where I live is nill.
So the moral to the story is… They may not be the best looking strap design on the planet, but damn if they don't earn their keep.
Cheers.

[Brian Page]

There have been several discussions on the forum about NATO vs bracelet and the ramifications of each with spring bar failure - glad your situation worked out for you! By the way - I hope you replaced the other spring bar as well....

[Solo118]

Close one... glad you didnt lose it!

[KBM]

Nice to see you didn't loose it! I prefer the bracelet myself, but a colored nato/zulu can be a fun change of pace!

[Ferdelious]

Not a bad beater! Glad its safe and sound.

[phan655]

Great looking "beater"

[Racerdj]

Great looking beater.

[aaamax]

Originally Posted by Brian Page

There have been several discussions on the forum about NATO vs bracelet and the ramifications of each with spring bar failure - glad your situation worked out for you! By the way - I hope you replaced the other spring bar as well....

Yes, absolutely, new spring bars are one of the cheapest and best spare parts you can get from Rolex. "The weakest link" and all that.
The other consideration one should take when using a nato/zulu is to make sure there is no pressure between the bars, watch side and strap. If you go with leather make sure whoever makes it for you thins out that area.

[bbressler]

Your pics and story inspired me to order a leather NATO from Crown and Buckle for my 16710

[tkerrmd]

Glad all is well, cool watch!

[ec51]

Yep. NATOs & ZULUs are safer. It would take a double spring bar failure to lose the watch.

[T01]

Phew! Happy to hear it's not lost!!

[aaamax]

Originally Posted by T01

Phew! Happy to hear it's not lost!!

Lol, yes, one gets that strange chill on the back of one's neck when something irreparable has happened… time skips a beat there for a moment. Then the deep breath and a slight grin appears after the realization the brain has triggered the "all clear."
Cheers

[Thatguy]

Glad to hear you didn't lose it! To add fuel to the fire...would it have broken if on a bracelet?

[time2see]

Rugged beauty. Good to hear it was not lost.

[997.2]

Awesome!!

[Old Expat Beast]

I read somewhere that leather natos and zulus will do that to tne springbars over time.

[EricM]

Very cool first pic with the sheep!

I'm glad that you saved your watch with the Nato. I think it's a good look as well as being highly functional.

Eric

[Jason71]

It looks as if you have a GMT with non-drilled through lugs. If you wear it on a NATO a great deal, I recommend using shoulderless spring bars. This prevents having something to catch the NATO on (the shoulder), and possibly causing the bar to dislodge. I have had this happen to me while diving. Of course you have to cut the bar out when you decide to put it back on the bracelet, or a 2 piece leather strap, or a rubber strap, etc.........but it is Quite secure until that time.

YMMV

[Bangel]

I can almost hear your sigh of relief!

With the benefit of hindsight, do you think there could have been signs beforehand that the spring bar may have been worn? Is there any benefit in preventative changing of spring bars?

I'm only wondering because I have no knowledge about this and would hate for this to happen to anyone again.

I realise sometimes things just happen no matter what. You can have bad luck (spring bar failure) just as you can have good luck (having it on a strap when the spring bar fails).

[aaamax]

Originally Posted by Bangel

I can almost hear your sigh of relief!

With the benefit of hindsight, do you think there could have been signs beforehand that the spring bar may have been worn? Is there any benefit in preventative changing of spring bars?

I'm only wondering because I have no knowledge about this and would hate for this to happen to anyone again.

I realise sometimes things just happen no matter what. You can have bad luck (spring bar failure) just as you can have good luck (having it on a strap when the spring bar fails).

Jason had a very good suggestion, shoulderless spring bars. Assuming you don't want to change straps often unless you are using thin material that you can thread through the space.
As some of you have pointed out, a bracelet would seem to offer more protection to the bars and I agree, but offer zero margin for mishap.

I for one would love to see a Rolex come out with solid bars with good width/space. Something along the lines of a Pam. Talk about the perfect tool watch. I'd stand in line for that!

[Bangel]

Originally Posted by aaamax

Jason had a very good suggestion, shoulderless spring bars. Assuming you don't want to change straps often unless you are using thin material that you can thread through the space.
As some of you have pointed out, a bracelet would seem to offer more protection to the bars and I agree, but offer zero margin for mishap.

I for one would love to see a Rolex come out with solid bars with good width/space. Something along the lines of a Pam. Talk about the perfect tool watch. I'd stand in line for that!

Thanks for the feedback. Great informative thread.

[TimeToGo]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I read somewhere that leather natos and zulus will do that to tne springbars over time.

I agree!

[travisb]

Close call. Great looking daily!

[OmegaJJH]

Phew!

[themaninblack]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I read somewhere that leather natos and zulus will do that to tne springbars over time.

Correct. The thick leather zulu puts pressure on the springbars spring ends. So they help solve the problem that they cause in the first place. That said I changed over from a bracelet to a conventional leather strap tonight on one of my watches and one of the old springbars was dangerously close to gone. Good idea to check them periodically.

[SemperFi]

Originally Posted by OmegaJJH

Phew!

Or more likely ewe!

[Jim Smyth]

Spring bars are almost 100% overlooked by everyone. They should be swapped out with new ones at least every 5 years. They are cheap, easy to acquire and to replace. Anytime I buy a used watch thats the first swap out! Otto Frei has kits and packs of well made Swiss spring bars for every size.

[bdex75]

Shoulder less spring bars are a must for me with nato/Zulu. I have this one waiting to go on my dssd for the summer, but need to get to the ad to get the proper springbars.



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[watchwatcher]

Glad the watch is safe.