Help with lug pins

Posts
670
Likes
676
Hi Guys, I got this UG and as the metal cuffs were a little tight, I decided to remove and change to normal strap but upon removing I got 4 pins sticking out, am I suppose to removed them all?
 
Posts
3,587
Likes
8,281
Check the diameter on the male pins on the case and make sure the female pins will accommodate. (Modern female pins are sometimes smaller diameter than vintage). If you get stuck PM me, I might be able to help.
 
Posts
632
Likes
2,134
(Modern female pins are sometimes smaller diameter than vintage)

Replace "sometimes" by "quite often" (as to my experience).

They can be drilled wider, though. Swiftly done if you do not want to search and wait for wider ones, the material is quite soft..

Cheers, Bernhard
 
Posts
3,587
Likes
8,281
Replace "sometimes" by "quite often" (as to my experience).

They can be drilled wider, though. Swiftly done if you do not want to search and wait for wider ones, the material is quite soft..

Cheers, Bernhard

true, I've had very little luck with the stock modern female pins. But I've never tried to modify, thanks for the tip.
 
Posts
13,698
Likes
53,501
true, I've had very little luck with the stock modern female pins. But I've never tried to modify, thanks for the tip.
Hi Guys, I got this UG and as the metal cuffs were a little tight, I decided to remove and change to normal strap but upon removing I got 4 pins sticking out, am I suppose to removed them all?
Those are cut fixed bars IMO. Female pins are not going to work. Have your watchmaker finish the cutting and drill for male spring bars.
 
Posts
632
Likes
2,134
Those are cut fixed bars IMO. Female pins are not going to work. Have your watchmaker finish the cutting and drill for male spring bars.

Seriously?

When fitting new pins to my Hamilton Coronado the stock modern female pins did not fit. Drilling them 1-2/10 wider by hand was swift and made them fit. I would never have thought of "converting" the Coronado to male pins. Aside the fact that drilling the femal pins wider was done faster than such a "conversion".

Perhaps I misunderstood?
 
Posts
13,698
Likes
53,501
Seriously?

When fitting new pins to my Hamilton Coronado the stock modern female pins did not fit. Drilling them 1-2/10 wider by hand was swift and made them fit. I would never have thought of "converting" the Coronado to male pins. Aside the fact that drilling the femal pins wider was done faster than such a "conversion".

Perhaps I misunderstood?
I said I think based on pics that this case had fixed bars which were cut.. Therefore it never used female bars.
 
Posts
632
Likes
2,134
Ah, OK. I had not considered that this watch might have had fixed bars originally.

When looking at the photos I would have thought they were original like that. I did not know that these Universal had fixed bars.
 
Posts
3,587
Likes
8,281
I’ve had a bunch of these and the male pins are often thick, but IMO they are not cut fixed bars, I think they are stock. I can check other examples when I’m back at home
 
Posts
13,698
Likes
53,501
I’ve had a bunch of these and the male pins are often thick, but IMO they are not cut fixed bars, I think they are stock. I can check other examples when I’m back at home
Look at the ends .. not even cut straight to my eye.
 
Posts
165
Likes
406
It’s a 21302 reference. Pins on lugs are correct and original for this reference (it didn’t have fixed bars). Don’t cut or drill anything (unless the pins break one day), it would only mean damage to the case.
You just need female spring bars.
 
Posts
3,587
Likes
8,281
Hi Guys, I got this UG and as the metal cuffs were a little tight, I decided to remove and change to normal strap but upon removing I got 4 pins sticking out, am I suppose to removed them all?

what is the case serial?
 
Posts
6,499
Likes
10,178
Which are a pita to fit
 
Posts
13,698
Likes
53,501
Which are a pita to fit
Indeed. Hate em but I have avoided meddling with mine. I agree it’s a bear to find bars that fit. These sure look like rough cut bars.
 
Posts
3,587
Likes
8,281
I've had several of this reference 21302 and interestingly the earlier case serial (945XXX) used female spring bars but by the later serial 1158XXX) they had transitioned to male spring bars, so they must have been done in batches.
 
Posts
6,499
Likes
10,178
Indeed. Also 1070xxx