Making and replacing broken springs for a Omega 1039 bracelet

Time often takes a toll on the springs in these bracelets and they tend to look like this after many years of use – a lot of ”stretch” and no spring action left at all.



Omegas original springs are shaped like a ”L” and put in place during the assembly of the link. Replacing with similar springs would involve bending out the sides of the link – risk for a quick ”snap” and a broken bracelet link is every likely so I made new springs in the shape of a ”flat Omega sign”. These can be bent so they snap into place.

Separating the bracelet links can be done in different ways, I found folding the bracelet and pressing out the back cover plate on a piece of metal to be the easiest way.







The new springs are made from 0.2 mm stainless spring steel.

A previously used cutting tool was slightly modified to cut the sheet metal to the with of the springs to be.



I made a simple tool for forming the springs from O2 steel (prototype shown)



Forming a spring in the tool.



Raw springs after forming



The access metal is cut and ground smooth.



After removing the old broken springs the new ”Omega shaped” ones are put in place using mild violence.



All the springs in the bracelet are replaced the same way



The bracelet is then reassembled and if done correctly the stretch is gone and spring action has returned!

 

Good job, but very time consuming by the looks of it.
I fixed a couple of mine in the past using hard sponge rubber pads cut to the right size.
Very fiddly but quite effective.

 

This is fantastic! So many of these old bracelets need new springs. Where can I buy them?

 

I suggest you PM the OP. He seems to have produced more than he needs.
They actually look like the original springs, not like some of the efforts I've seen posted here.

 

Tnx!
Most of the time was spent on the tools and fidling with dimensions to get the finished springs of correct size.
It's a very simple shape but my initial calculations produced to short springs - some trial and error later and the dimensionsturned out correct - but you are right, -Many hours spent on such a simple thing!

 

Great craftsmanship there

 

Great Job indeed...I know i would send it to HK if i were you instead of spending hours..But you have the skills for the job i don t unfortunately....

 

If that's not a worthy complement I don't know what is.

 

Excellent! That was great work.

 

But I almost enjoy building tools more than restoring watches!

 

Outstanding work fabricating the springs!

Could you please show picture of tool used to remove and replace springs? A picture of you removing/installing a spring would be fantastic!!!

 

thanks

 

imponerande arbete

 

Excellent work!!!
I replaced on my 1506 and 1067 the broken springs by using an old mainspring => cut to the right lenght and bended both side with a classic clamp.

I agree to replace them using a bit violence would help!

 

Wonder why Omega never made the springs in stainless steel. would love to get my hands on some of these ss springs @mcgyver

 

Restored a bracelet for a friend.
When it was finished it was a bit too tight for his wrist. He had some extra parts but not the smaller center piece.
I measured the "lid" and the U-shaped part, they are made from 0.3mm and 0.5mm stainless.
After a lot of trial and error I finally managed to produce a piece that matched the original.

New version - lower part of picture.



Original to the right



and................did I say it was trial and error!!??



Many hour invested in such a simple looking thing but very rewarding when done and everything fits nicely!

 

That is fantastic ! Well done. Make 50 more and sell ...... Kind regards. Achim

 

Fabulous work, but I don't understand how that template works. Could you post a few photos showing the process?

 

That's quite something, mate. Well done.

 

That's the raw stock he's cut the SS blanks from...