Getting spring bars out of a '57 Trilogy Speedmaster

[john_coburg]

As i like to semi-continually switch straps, this one is really annoying me. For some reason, i can't remove the spring bars on my '57 Trilogy, and can't work out what i've done. There's a chance i put some 'fatter' bars in to stop a loose strap from dangling around too much (particuarly as this is an 18mm strap in a 19mm-wide lug width case), but that shouldn't affect things? i can get my spring bar tool on to the shoulders, (so i didn't make the mistake of putting shoulderless bars in there!) and can compress them, but seemingly not enough to get them out.
Did i put 20mm bars in there? if so, how did i get them in? and either way, if i got them in okay, why are they so difficult to get out?
Any assistance would be much appreciated!

Edited: May 11, 2023

 

[Puma_135o]

I have the same difficulties with my Speedmaster when I want to switch back to bracelet. I'm using a very similar leather strap. The problem is that the leather is thick, it works better if warmed with your hands. You have to push not only the spring bar, but you also have to temporarily push on the leather. It's the leather that is elastic and pushes back. Be patient and you'll make it.

 

[Knudsen1971]

Hello, most people doesn`t realize....but it is an important thing....using strap sized spring bar for metal bracelet can be a pain it the ass.
In general, Omega recommendation is to use always the right lenght, there are always at least two bars per lug size.
For steel bracelets always shorter, than for straps, I have somewhere stored table for all Omega lug sizes/part numbers.
From top of my head I just remember, that for 20mm lug size the part number for bracelet is 2207 and for strap 2208...I can find it and post it here, if anybody interested. May help your issue.

 

[YY77]

Knudsen1971

Hello, most people doesn`t realize....but it is an important thing....using strap sized spring bar for metal bracelet can be a pain it the ass.
In general, Omega recommendation is to use always the right lenght, there are always at least two bars per lug size.
For steel bracelets always shorter, than for straps, I have somewhere stored table for all Omega lug sizes/part numbers.
From top of my head I just remember, that for 20mm lug size the part number for bracelet is 2207 and for strap 2208...I can find it and post it here, if anybody interested. May help your issue.

The 2207 (used for a 19mm lugwidth watch when on leather and 20mm lugwidth watch when on a bracelet) is 19,78mm fully compressed, free length is 22,428mm.

 

[Evitzee]

That's odd, if they went in ok they should come out with no problem. It's possible you used too long a bar and you were able to slide the bar across the lug's surface to allow it to drop in, but now you don't have the leverage to repeat the process. Are you pushing down on the strap from the top as you compress it?

 

[john_coburg]

Evitzee

Are you pushing down on the strap from the top as you compress it?

Good shout! i wasn't. A little downward pressure and they snapped out. Thank you very much.

YY77

The 2207 (used for a 19mm lugwidth watch when on leather and 20mm lugwidth watch when on a bracelet) is 19,78mm fully compressed, free length is 22,428mm.

Attached a photo of the bar : 19.89mm fully compressed, 22.7mm uncompressed....so sounds like the wrong bar to me, but your note above suggests otherwise?

 

[YY77]

john_coburg

Good shout! i wasn't. A little downward pressure and they snapped out. Thank you very much.



Attached a photo of the bar : 19.89mm fully compressed, 22.7mm uncompressed....so sounds like the wrong bar to me, but your note above suggests otherwise?

The 2208 is even longer;

 

[JPE.88305]

Agree it can be tricky; maybe move to some quick-release bands...some good ones out there. I have several Shinola ones for my speedy I change every few days.

 

[john_coburg]

YY77

The 2208 is even longer;

Interesting. So what size spring bar should go in a 19mm lug-width watch? or is it more complicated than that? i have a range of 19 and 20mm lug width watches and have never struggled so hard to get a pair of bars out (except an OEM pair on an Ed White a few years ago..)

 

[YY77]

john_coburg

Interesting. So what size spring bar should go in a 19mm lug-width watch? or is it more complicated than that? i have a range of 19 and 20mm lug width watches and have never struggled so hard to get a pair of bars out (except an OEM pair on an Ed White a few years ago..)

068ST2206 bracelet
068ST2207 strap/nato

 

[Evitzee]

For a 19 mm bracelet -- 068ST2206
For a 19 mm strap -- 068ST2207

@YY77 beat me to it

 

[ErichPryde]

Yo John, love the cordovan strap. Where did you pick that up? Gorgeous.