A precautionary tale..

Last night in the WRUW thread I posted this Speedmaster. Not the most expensive or unique but one of my treasures all the same.

When I went to put it away last night I was just tightening the strap onto its cushion when all went loose. At first I thought a springbar had let go but on closer inspection no. The glue on the strap had deteriorated to the point of failure. I don't know how old the strap is or even how I came to have it actually but always thought it was a nice strap.

This could have been a tragedy if it had happened in any other location, as I always undo and place on the cushion over the bed and there is carpet at the foot of the bed to cover all bases. If I had been on one of the bikes or out and about this could be a story involving copious amounts of tears.

The strap in question is a Speidel and as I said I have no idea of the age but certainly living in a humid environment would not help.

Checking the strap will certainly become part of my pre flight checklist and I will be making a conscious effort to change all to stitched straps for the future.

The strap.


Now safe and sound on a new strap although a little more in your face😀

Perhaps this nice 220 bezel desires a 1039/516?

I’m surprised that a reputable maker doesn’t/didn’t stitch it.
Even my cheap ‘aftermarket’ straps are stitched

Also always give a good tug on bracelets when you fit them. I didn’t seat a spring bar properly once and although it held through most of the morning, when I got into my car and went to pull the door closed, the flex on my wrist popped the spring bar and the watch hit the ground 🤦

Luckily is was a cheap homage watch and not something valuable, but I always listen for the “click” when I seat spring bars and give a good push and pull on the bracelet to make sure they are seated properly

This was the outcome when a defective spring bar defected 🙁

if only it hadn’t fallen on to a concrete car park floor

We really need a “not like” button

Remembers me of the time I did order a 18mm Milanese bracelet for a nice 19mm Zenith El Primero (C case, cheaper option there but still nice value). Stupid I know, but I did see this exact bracelet pictured with this particular ZEP model and found it a very nice fit.
The first day I receive the bracelet I put it on my watch, drove my kid to some sport and hopefully the bracelet went out ...in my car resulting in my watch ending up on my legs... A few minutes later it would have been on the road... this bracelet is still sitting in my cupboard now (could not fit a 18mm watch in my possession to go with it).
The mistake was of course all mine but the picture though was misleading... for the newbie I was and still am.
Never thought about checking the stitching of my straps. Now I'll do that. Thanks @Barking mad for sharing this