Does anyone have experience filing down metal bracelet lugs??

jb.44 · Nov 25, 2020

Hey guys, I want to get this staib mesh bracelet for my omega seamaster but it has a 21mm lug and for high quality mesh bracelets they simply dont exist. Has anyone ever filed down the lugs on a bracelet before? Is it a bad or good idea?

Dan S · Nov 25, 2020

I assume you mean the end-links of a bracelet, and you're not contemplating actually altering the lugs. If I'm interpreting your question correctly, could you just post a photo of the bracelet. It might be fairly easy depending on the shape of the bracelet ends.

jb.44 · Nov 25, 2020

Sorry here is the picture of the bracelet

Dan S · Nov 25, 2020

That is not going to work so well because the mesh is the same width as the end. You will be better off finding a bracelet where the end of the bracelet extends wider than the mesh. They exist.

jb.44 · Nov 25, 2020

Dan S
I assume you mean the end-links of a bracelet, and you're not contemplating actually altering the lugs. If I'm interpreting your question correctly, could you just post a photo of the bracelet. It might be fairly easy depending on the shape of the bracelet ends.[/QUOTE

I just posted it, and yes I am not planning on touching my watch case. Only filing the bracelet itself

Dan S · Nov 25, 2020

I assume you prefer the Milanese mesh, but if you would consider shark mesh bracelets, they have quite a bit of play at the ends because the links are separate. The shark mesh is better for a sport watch, and the Milanese for a dressier watch. Not sure what your watch looks like.

MRC · Nov 25, 2020

jb.44
Has anyone ever filed down the lugs on a bracelet before? Is it a bad or good idea?

Yes, but I was young and foolish. The watch had been constantly on my wrist for 5 years and the original Corfam strap was getting rather smelly. The bracelet had already spent 8 years holding a Submariner on the wrist of a North Sea diver. Two bottles of moderately cheap wine and a bit of filing later I had a replacement for the old strap. If I could find the old strap the buckle alone is worth 500 quid today.

Still together after 45 years 👍

Today I would not use a hand file, I'd use a machine tool and do a neater job. Might fix the mismatch between case diameter and the end-piece too.

However, unless you are young and foolish and have access to machine tools get the right size!

Spruce · Nov 25, 2020

Dan S
I assume you prefer the Milanese mesh, but if you would consider shark mesh bracelets, they have quite a bit of play at the ends because the links are separate. The shark mesh is better for a sport watch, and the Milanese for a dressier watch. Not sure what your watch looks like.

Wish I’d seen this before I ordered a Milanese strap 🙁

marco · Nov 25, 2020

This is not a problem with high quality Staib bracelets. A 20mm Millanese is easily filed down to 19mm. Just be careful not to go too far. Measure and measure again using a digital caliper.

jb.44 · Nov 25, 2020

marco
This is not a problem with high quality Staib bracelets. A 20mm Millanese is easily filed down to 19mm. Just be careful not to go too far. Measure and measure again using a digital caliper.

Thank you, that is exactly what I was looking for. You used a hand file correct?

Dan S · Nov 25, 2020

That's helpful for the OP to see how it will look in advance.

marco · Nov 25, 2020

Yes a small modeling hand file.
Cheap and can be found in electronic parts shops. You can probably use a bigger file but more care needs to be taken.If you look very carefully I over did it on one end by 0.05mm, fortunately it doesn't notice on the wrist.

Dan S · Nov 25, 2020

You may want to polish the raw edges after filing, or they may be a bit sharp.

MRC · Nov 25, 2020

jb.44
Thank you, that is exactly what I was looking for. You used a hand file correct?

marco
fortunately it doesn't notice on the wrist.

Filing neatly needs a lot of practice, if you have that then OK. But if not pay for a jewellery workshop to do it.

Does anyone have experience filing down metal bracelet lugs??

jb.44

Dan S

jb.44

Dan S

jb.44

Dan S

MRC

Spruce

marco

jb.44

Dan S

marco

Dan S

MRC

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