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Avoiding lug scratches when removing PO bracelet

S
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Hi Everyone,

Hope you guys are well. I've got a question about avoiding scratches to the back of the lugs when removing the PO bracelet, as the end links have these slight protrusions/nubs. I know it's a good idea to tape the back of the lugs with something like polyamide tape to prevent scratches from the spring bars and spring bar tool, but how do you stop the little protrusions from scratching the lugs when separating the bracelet and case?

k6175_03.jpg

Any advice on doing this without causing any marks would be greatly appreciated!
 
Donn Chambers
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Just accept you are going to scratch the back of the lugs and go slow. Only you and your watchmaker will ever see the scratches, and your watchmaker will polish them out.
 
Kiltie
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Scotch taping the lugs will help some.
I mean, you don't have to get a Scotsman to do it, or anyone else for that matter. You can do it yourself is what I'm saying, but use clear tape.

You still have to take it real easy, but it might help out with that "whoops" moment.


Edit:
Ah, yes... I see you put that in your OP.
Never mind.
Yeah - the end links are gonna scratch it up. Deal with it. And whatever else happens when you're wearing your watch. It's a tool.
 
jjen
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I’ve scratched mine like crazy. At some point it’s more worth it to just scratch the thing than keep fooling around with tape and being careful
 
Evitzee
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You are likely to find those little tabs have already left some marks on the back of the lugs, nothing you can do about it. Tape the lugs and take it slow with a good springbar tool, I try not to scratch things unnecessarily, but some owners don't care and just start whacking away.
 
jjen
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right, a bergeon spring bar tool with a new fine tip will help
 
Geezer
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For bracelets, I highly suggest buying something like the Bergeon 6825.

Practice 10x on a cheap watch. Remove the clasp on one side first and make sure to tape the lugs of your Omega.


51DebtybX9L._AC_SL1100_.jpg

Shitty Bergeon video:
Edited:
 
Dan S
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The most important thing for me is a good view of what I'm doing. If you don't have one already, do yourself a favor and get an optivisor. You will use it all the time.
 
sah
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Enjoy the watch and scratches. You will be able to change bracelet and straps as you wish and have fun. Never going to sell my Planet Ocean so why worry about it?
 
PRW
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Not even worth worrying about. I rotate between 3 straps regularly. Just accept the scratches or you will never enjoy swapping straps.
1000007775.jpg 1000007774.jpg
 
P
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Geezer Geezer
For bracelets, I highly suggest buying something like the Bergeon 6825.

Practice 10x on a cheap watch. Remove the clasp on one side first and make sure to tape the lugs of your Omega.


51DebtybX9L._AC_SL1100_.jpg

Shitty Bergeon video:

Honest question for someone with a 6825, is it unintuitive? I have one and removing the bracelet from (and trying to add the OEM rubber strap) to my AT has been VERY difficulty. Even when I just try to grab a springbar (Miyagi style) the overwhelming majority of the time a sprinbar will go flying. I have the forks straight with each other and have tried moving the case only, bracelet only, both, etc. Any tips would be appreciated because I'm really confused that the 6825 is making things almost harder.
 
Rodentman
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I have not had much luck with my 6825. Now I usually go to the AD who is happy to change bracelets/straps for me n/c. I have put too many springbars into orbit and lost bracelet screws in the carpet. I tired an electron microscope and a lot of imagination and never found them.
 
Meme-Dweller
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P prateeko
Honest question for someone with a 6825, is it unintuitive? I have one and removing the bracelet from (and trying to add the OEM rubber strap) to my AT has been VERY difficulty. Even when I just try to grab a springbar (Miyagi style) the overwhelming majority of the time a sprinbar will go flying. I have the forks straight with each other and have tried moving the case only, bracelet only, both, etc. Any tips would be appreciated because I'm really confused that the 6825 is making things almost harder.
That tool is completely worthless for Omega watches due to the design of the Omega spring bars. Very difficult to grip the spring bar. In fact, you're more likely to scratch the back of the lugs with the tool itself. It does, however, work wonderfully on Rolex spring bars.
 
P
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Rodentman Rodentman
I have not had much luck with my 6825. Now I usually go to the AD who is happy to change bracelets/straps for me n/c. I have put too many springbars into orbit and lost bracelet screws in the carpet. I tired an electron microscope and a lot of imagination and never found them.

What kind of tool are they using at the AD/OB? I've generally got pretty steady hands and would prefer to do it myself (currently in a city with an OB but it's across town so a 45-60 min drive is a bit much and I love to change out straps frequently).

Meme-Dweller Meme-Dweller
That tool is completely worthless for Omega watches due to the design of the Omega spring bars. Very difficult to grip the spring bar. In fact, you're more likely to scratch the back of the lugs with the tool itself. It does, however, work wonderfully on Rolex spring bars.

Sigh. I was worried about that. Ironically I bought it after getting my AT (removing the bracelet with the 6767F was like defusing a bomb). Would changing to different spring bars (19mm, lol) make it easier to use the tool or is the Bergeon 7825 better? Honestly, I was trying to practice using the 6825 yesterday with my Sinn U1-T (fully tegimented case and bracelet) and even then it was just nowhere near as easy/smooth as the video above - one fork or another would lose the spring bar both when removing and re-inserting the bracelet. Very frustrating since I have pretty steady hands and was looking up close (very nearsighted at a baseline.
 
502 to right
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I'm in the camp of accept the scratches under the lugs and move on with life. You only really see them when you're changing a strap.

I switch bracelets and straps as often as most people change underwear so I'm going to get scratches unless I treat every strap change like I'm preserving the Mona Lisa.

That said, I've found the Bergeon 7825 tweezers to be the easiest to do a clean job. I also recommend switching your springbars to something with a very defined double flange on the ends. Obviously get the correct thickness and length as the OEM springbars. And then I put the OEM springbars back in the box for the watch so I don't lose them.

bergeon-spring-bar-tweezer-7825photo1__81168.jpg 82.jpg
Edited:
 
mrchen
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The only way to avoid the scratches is to leave it alone. It's an impossibility for those of us who fidget with our things. Practice on a cheaper watch but even then you might leave a little scratch on it. You'll learn to live with it.
 
hen
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Ahh excellent song, mrchen! 😀
 
Modernism
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FYI, whether it was a mistake or not, the scratches on lugs on mine weren't touched at last Omega service.
The rest of it was restored beautifully, but the lugs on back came back scratched. Mistake or... they don't do them, or did it putting the bracelet back on. No idea, but not bothered about that.
 
P
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502 to right 502 to right
I'm in the camp of accept the scratches under the lugs and move on with life. You only really see them when you're changing a strap.

I switch bracelets and straps as often as most people change underwear so I'm going to get scratches unless I treat every strap change like I'm preserving the Mona Lisa.

That said, I've found the Bergeon 7825 tweezers to be the easiest to do a clean job. I also recommend switching your springbars to something with a very defined double flange on the ends. Obviously get the correct thickness and length as the OEM springbars. And then I put the OEM springbars back in the box for the watch so I don't lose them.

bergeon-spring-bar-tweezer-7825photo1__81168.jpg 82.jpg

I actually ordered those exact spring bars from Esslinger (unfortunately not with the 7825, but did order some other things to take advantage of their Anniversary sale including different/more tips for the 6825....which I had done the 7825). Been working on my technique with the rubber strap and gonna change over from Delugs straps to the Omega rubber on my GoodPlanet 38.5mm AT this weekend...
 
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