Having just inherited an Ed White with an 80s bracelet on it, I've ordered a leather strap. I prefer the look, plus I have girly wrists that are too small for the bracelet without removing some links anyway, so happy to put the bracelet aside for now.

Was assuming the purchase of some springbars would be a simple matter but it appears not Could anyone point me in the direction of the right length and diameter? Also, assuming this is straightforward to do myself with the right tool, or should I just take it to a decent jeweller being a compete numpty with these things?

Cheers

 

19mm spring bars, diameter is up to you - I personally prefer 1.8mm but a thinner 1.5 could give a bit more play between the strap and the lugs. Wouldn't go much larger than 2.0mm diameter though because it might have trouble fitting through some straps.

Do a YouTube search on "change watch strap" and decide for yourself whether you're confident to take it on; maybe as your first time you may not want to experiment on something worth as much as a 105.003.

Good luck

 

If you have a cheap watch, you might want to practice with that. It requires some manual dexterity that will improve with experience. Eventually it becomes second nature, but it can be awkward at first.

This Bergeon 6767-F is a basic tool that is frequently recommended:
https://www.amazon.com/Bergeon-6767-F-Watch-Spring-Tool/dp/B001IZT8R2

 

Thank you.

I've done it before on cheaper watches but I think I may just get an adult to do it the first time on this one. Just to be sure

 

The official Omegq size for a bracelet is a 1.8mm diameter. The part numbe from Omega is
068ST2208

 

Go to your nearest Omega boutique with the watch.
They'll give 'em to you for free.

 

Great, thank you both

 

Depends on what bracelet. For a 20mm bracelet, you won't want to use this one, you will want a 068ST2207. The 068ST2208 is for a 20 mm strap, not a bracelet. It would be fine for a 21mm bracelet though...

 

okay, so the part number for the 19mm bracelet has not been covered yet, correct?

 

Right - the 2207's would be for a 19 mm strap, and a 19 mm bracelet would be a 2206. If you have ever tried to remove a bracelet with too long spring bars attached, it's not fun.

Now with vintage bracelets, these tend to have a much larger slot in them to compress the bars than say the modern bracelets do, so there may be some leeway on vintage that simply isn't there for modern bracelets.

 

Omega list part number 068ST2208 as the correct spring bar for a 105.003 (ed white) case. 1.8mm diameter. As I stated above. Omega don't list another spring bar option for this case reference. I don't think that I'm missing anything, but I could be...

 

I think I could be mistaken by the fact that they are replacement spring bars for a replacement case - perhaps Al can verify?

 

Okay, so in general, are strap spring bars typically always spec’d just a tad longer than those intended for bracelets?

 

Yes.

 

Who knew spring bars could be so much fun?

Okay, another puzzlement: is there an industry standard for either length, or compressibility, for a given, specified bar? In other words: if I buy an Omega 19mm bracelet bar, would it have the same specs as a 19mm bracelet bar from a different company?

 

There's no standard that I am aware of...

 

No, they are all different shapes and sizes. A 19mm spring bar is the same length but there are other differences that will deem it inappropriate. The tip that goes into the case may be either too big or too small and not hold the bracelet on suitability.

 

Infuriating. Just like the bicycle business.

 

Just wondering if @Archer would know the answer to my question above about the 19mm spring bars?

 

This is apparently true. Been using these 2207’s with the original flat-links on Ed Whites without any issues.