Anyone ever lose or drop a watch due to spring bar failure ?

[Burlington]

Some Sunday evening musings.

Having moved past the scratch avoidance honeymoon phase with my watch, the only major risk I can see to taking it diving if I get chance to go this year (just been pressure tested too) would be a total loss due to spring bar failure.

On my previous iwc I did swap the strap once and the spring bar came out in 2 pieces, but it was holding firm nevertheless. Maybe I broke it during removal even.

Assuming there isn’t an accessible floor to the ocean wherever the dive site is, feeling it slip off my wrist and watch it descend into the deep blue would be fairly tragic.

It always seems a curious foible to have such high value items secured by only a few mm of spring loaded steel.

The obvious solution would usually be a nato, but not a viable option for the AP. There is also apparently some loctite used on the screw in ‘spring’ bars at the lugs, so that certainly mitigates some risk too.

Curious if it’s ever happened to anyone - or a near miss ? I’m sure I read about it on here before but it certainly can’t be a common occurrence.

[wantonebad]

pure physics makes the spring bar far more secure then your description of "a few mm of spring loaded steel" the pressure of the spring keeps the metal points in the hole and the exposure or vulnerability isn't on the whole length of the spring bar itself but on just a few microns on each side. It can only fail by way of catastrophic force.

[superdog]

Was walking through a casino in Vegas. Was daytime as I was there for work.

My DJ2 fell off my wrist. I took a few steps before I realized.

Only time that’s ever happened tho.

[Ian Macdermott]

No.

[austinp]

I had a Seiko Turtle spring bar failure when i was pulling my hand away from a bee. The bee stung me right where the watch once was. After a few minutes i realized the watch was on the ground at my feet.

[Hoppyjr]

Insurance.

[Burlington]

Originally Posted by Hoppyjr

Insurance.

Would definitely not cover this on any of my policies. Robbery/ burglary/ theft yes, but loss wouldn’t be. There are no full coverage policies here which exist. I believe it’s a similar story in France based on another poster. Different from the UK and US in this regard.

Originally Posted by Ian Macdermott

No.

It’s got the be a rare thing to happen

Originally Posted by austinp

I had a Seiko Turtle spring bar failure when i was pulling my hand away from a bee. The bee stung me right where the watch once was. After a few minutes i realized the watch was on the ground at my feet.

Ouch ! Guess the sudden movement was enough then.

Originally Posted by superdog

Was walking through a casino in Vegas. Was daytime as I was there for work.

My DJ2 fell off my wrist. I took a few steps before I realized.

Only time that’s ever happened tho.

Good it’s just been the one time ! hope the carpet was thick enough to cushion the landing in the casino.

Originally Posted by wantonebad

pure physics makes the spring bar far more secure then your description of "a few mm of spring loaded steel" the pressure of the spring keeps the metal points in the hole and the exposure or vulnerability isn't on the whole length of the spring bar itself but on just a few microns on each side. It can only fail by way of catastrophic force.

Yes you’re right - It’s more the perception of those few mm. Of course though like you say the actual strength of materials and tensile forces involved do make it very unlikely.

It’s one of those things which although is rare, can at the wrong time or place be very unlucky indeed.

[KarlTheToyotaGuy]

From what I can tell, there are two ways to secure with with almost absolute certainty that it won’t fall into the blue.

1. Some kinda of hook and loop watch cover. The only downside is that your watch will be completely enclosed, and you won’t really conveniently be able to enjoy/access/use it.

2. Welded spring bars, e.g. Mil-Sub. Downside .... hope you like nato straps

[FiftyTwoEighty]

Not my spring bar, but I had my bracelet fail on New Years Eve at my local watering hole at the beach.

We were hanging out by the fire pit. I felt my watch sliding off my wrist — landed face down and bounced off some brick. Picked up some nice love marks on the case.

The irony...my EXP II spends a lot of time on ZULUs.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Chester01]

Originally Posted by Burlington

Some Sunday evening musings.

Having moved past the scratch avoidance honeymoon phase with my watch, the only major risk I can see to taking it diving if I get chance to go this year (just been pressure tested too) would be a total loss due to spring bar failure.

On my previous iwc I did swap the strap once and the spring bar came out in 2 pieces, but it was holding firm nevertheless. Maybe I broke it during removal even.

Assuming there isn’t an accessible floor to the ocean wherever the dive site is, feeling it slip off my wrist and watch it descend into the deep blue would be fairly tragic.

It always seems a curious foible to have such high value items secured by only a few mm of spring loaded steel.

The obvious solution would usually be a nato, but not a viable option for the AP. There is also apparently some loctite used on the screw in ‘spring’ bars at the lugs, so that certainly mitigates some risk too.

Curious if it’s ever happened to anyone - or a near miss ? I’m sure I read about it on here before but it certainly can’t be a common occurrence.

Never to me. But my brother has the BLNR and was driving and suddenly simply dropped off his wrist. Thankfully Fell in In his lap, no damage. But I think of this as well, from time to time.

[droptopman]

Not a spring bar, but a screw came loose one time. I was sitting at my desk so my watch fell into my lap. I check my screws now when I give the watch a bath.

[Doc Savage]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

pure physics makes the spring bar far more secure then your description of "a few mm of spring loaded steel" the pressure of the spring keeps the metal points in the hole and the exposure or vulnerability isn't on the whole length of the spring bar itself but on just a few microns on each side. It can only fail by way of catastrophic force.

This is incorrect, and it gives people a false sense of security. The spring bar can fail in several ways.

The security of this system largely depends on the spring inside. That's the weak point. Design of the hole in the lug is another variable, making some watches more likely for a bar to pop out.

I have had spring bar failures. Fortunately, none were while diving. However, these experiences have taught me to only dive with a NATO strap.

[Brenngun]

If you're going to rely on a nato for security make sure it fits the lug width perfectly. A little play combined with springs bars that have small shoulders near the ends can equal spring bar pop out. I know this from experience.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by Doc Savage

This is incorrect, and it gives people a false sense of security. The spring bar can fail in several ways.

The security of this system largely depends on the spring inside. That's the weak point. Design of the hole in the lug is another variable, making some watches more likely for a bar to pop out.

I have had spring bar failures. Fortunately, none were while diving. However, these experiences have taught me to only dive with a NATO strap.

A NATO puts a lot more strain on the spring bars, which make chance of failing one of the two a lot higher, talking about a false sense of security

[Kh114060]

ap divers should be ok because its held on by 4 ? 3 ? screws on each side of the case?

Or i guess the buckle is still held on by a springbar.....

nato would probably be the best bet for most that can use natos..

or just not wear ur divers for diving....

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by Doc Savage

This is incorrect, and it gives people a false sense of security. The spring bar can fail in several ways.

The security of this system largely depends on the spring inside. That's the weak point. Design of the hole in the lug is another variable, making some watches more likely for a bar to pop out.

I have had spring bar failures. Fortunately, none were while diving. However, these experiences have taught me to only dive with a NATO strap.

Anything more to back up your opinion other than your one-off mis-hap? Springs run the world, you'd be surprized how many you rely on for your health and safty throughout the day...

I have 40 years of watch wearing, diving and countless friends experiences that mirror mine to back up what I'm saying, that coupled with an entire industries reliance on the same physics and technology for the last 50 years mister declarative... cause your experience doesn't negate or falsify what I said, it's just a differing point of view which most people are more diplomatic about expressing.

[Burlington]

Originally Posted by KarlTheToyotaGuy

From what I can tell, there are two ways to secure with with almost absolute certainty that it won’t fall into the blue.

1. Some kinda of hook and loop watch cover. The only downside is that your watch will be completely enclosed, and you won’t really conveniently be able to enjoy/access/use it.

2. Welded spring bars, e.g. Mil-Sub. Downside .... hope you like nato straps

I was wondering about some kind of covering to hold it on securely should something happen

I didn’t know the Mil-Sub had welded bars in ! Cool fact.

[Burlington]

Originally Posted by FiftyTwoEighty

Not my spring bar, but I had my bracelet fail on New Years Eve at my local watering hole at the beach.

We were hanging out by the fire pit. I felt my watch sliding off my wrist — landed face down and bounced off some brick. Picked up some nice love marks on the case.

The irony...my EXP II spends a lot of time on ZULUs.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Its exactly this type of freak event which, although unlikely and rare would be the risk

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by Burlington

I was wondering about some kind of covering to hold it on securely should something happen

I didn’t know the Mil-Sub had welded bars in ! Cool fact.

you have to think about what a mil-sub has to go through, plus they weren't issued with bracelets on purpose so...

[Burlington]

Originally Posted by Kh114060

ap divers should be ok because its held on by 4 ? 3 ? screws on each side of the case?

Or i guess the buckle is still held on by a springbar.....

nato would probably be the best bet for most that can use natos..

or just not wear ur divers for diving....

The strap at the lugs is held with two sets of screws through the plots, so it is the buckle pin only that’s just held in place under tension.

[Burlington]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

you have to think about what a mil-sub has to go through, plus they weren't issued with bracelets on purpose so...

Yes very true ! Especially when compared to most modern day watches.

I must say, i much prefer the look of the Mil-Sub spec to the current iteration of the submariner.

[KarlTheToyotaGuy]

Originally Posted by Burlington

I was wondering about some kind of covering to hold it on securely should something happen

I didn’t know the Mil-Sub had welded bars in ! Cool fact.

Yup! Sorry for the incorrect terminology hahaha!

I can’t remember if they were welded or soldered, but either way it was as close to permanent as it could get!!

*not my picture

[oldin]

I have had a pin in my Seamaster 2531 bracelet fail (not a spring bar though) and the watch dropped onto the pub floor. Some kind guy picked it up and gave it back to me fortunately... :shock: Him and his mates were treated to a round of beers for his honesty though...

And I tried the same watch on a Nato and when tightening up the strap one of the spring bars failed.

I have often wondered if repeated removal of straps will in fact weaken a spring bar more then usual and so us WIS types will experience more frequent spring bar failures?? What does everyone else reckon? For this reason I don't change the strap on my 2531 anymore.

[V25V]

There is no spring bar on the AP. Are you saying if somehow the screw were to back out and come off the strap? Yeah, I do not see that happening..... and you should have some loctite on it to be safe.

[Doc Savage]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Anything more to back up your opinion other than your one-off mis-hap? Springs run the world, you'd be surprized how many you rely on for your health and safty throughout the day...

I have 40 years of watch wearing, diving and countless friends experiences that mirror mine to back up what I'm saying, that coupled with an entire industries reliance on the same physics and technology for the last 50 years mister declarative... cause your experience doesn't negate or falsify what I said, it's just a differing point of view which most people are more diplomatic about expressing.

I've been wearing watches as long as you have, and the difference between you and me is experience. It wouldn't make much sense for me (or anyone) to take your anecdotal evidence as significant when I and others have personal experience that counters it. Everyone is confident in their spring bars until they fail.

I mentioned there are lots of variables. The problem with your earlier post was that you made an irresponsible statement that implied there was virtually no danger in the spring bar failing. That's simply not true. Granted, the risks are variable, depending many factors, including the watch lugs, the particular spring bar, and the bracelet or strap. But to declare publicly, as you did, that people don't have to worry about it, when people have experience to the contrary, seems reckless.

I also do recognize that NATO's place a greater strain on the spring bar. The difference is that they hold onto both spring bars, and when one fails, you don't lose the entire watch. Having had a spring bar fail on more than one occasion with a conventional strap/bracelet, I would always make that trade-off for safety.

[Abdullah71601]

I have had spring bars fail several times, but always on a strap, never on a bracelet. I've had the second spring bar pop off on a NATO as well. I have several hundred dives on my 16600 with the bracelet and never once worried about it.

I would be more worried about loose screws. I lost a 5513 on an airborne operation in the early 80's that I attribute to a screw that kept backing out.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by Doc Savage

I've been wearing watches as long as you have, and the difference between you and me is experience. It wouldn't make much sense for me (or anyone) to take your anecdotal evidence as significant when I and others have personal experience that counters it. Everyone is confident in their spring bars until they fail.

I mentioned there are lots of variables. The problem with your earlier post was that you made an irresponsible statement that implied there was virtually no danger in the spring bar failing. That's simply not true. Granted, the risks are variable, depending many factors, including the watch lugs, the particular spring bar, and the bracelet or strap. But to declare publicly, as you did, that people don't have to worry about it, when people have experience to the contrary, seems reckless.

I also do recognize that NATO's place a greater strain on the spring bar. The difference is that they hold onto both spring bars, and when one fails, you don't lose the entire watch. Having had a spring bar fail on more than one occasion with a conventional strap/bracelet, I would always make that trade-off for safety.

There was no problem with my earlier post, NONE the problem with your post was you couldn't harness your arrogance, you still can't, and you can't be respectful, you disagree, so say so, you don't get to say I'm incorrect, it's not up to you to decide, THANK GOD!!! your ignored

[Tonyfsu21]

Originally Posted by Burlington

Its exactly this type of freak event which, although unlikely and rare would be the risk

Same watch for me 216570 and same failure mode. I have on occasion found loose pins on two of my subs 116619LB and LV Hulk. Scary!

[Burlington]

Originally Posted by V25V

There is no spring bar on the AP. Are you saying if somehow the screw were to back out and come off the strap? Yeah, I do not see that happening..... and you should have some loctite on it to be safe.

It is just the one spring bar on the buckle I think.

The screwed in bars are factory standard so should be fixed with loctite currently.

[Burlington]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

I have had spring bars fail several times, but always on a strap, never on a bracelet. I've had the second spring bar pop off on a NATO as well. I have several hundred dives on my 16600 with the bracelet and never once worried about it.

I would be more worried about loose screws. I lost a 5513 on an airborne operation in the early 80's that I attribute to a screw that kept backing out.

Originally Posted by Tonyfsu21

Same watch for me 216570 and same failure mode. I have on occasion found loose pins on two of my subs 116619LB and LV Hulk. Scary!

I think it for sure pays to keep an occasional eye on the fixings (bars, screws and pins) based on what I’m reading.