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Scratches...how many of you have a...

arno
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Just like cars are meant to be driven, watches are meant to be worn.
So you will have scratches on both your cars and your watches.
If you don't want this to happen, leave the car in the garage, and the watch in a safe.

Of course, i also don't like to see a scracth in the first days or weeks i bought the watch, but after a few months ... hey, that's how life is ...
 
M'Bob
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
They use one of these...

https://www.esslinger.com/horofix-spring-bar-tweezers/

I’ve seen these advertised for years, and have always wondered about them. They seem great in theory, yet no experienced watchmakers I know seem to use them. I don’t know if that’s because they don’t actually work, or people who do this for a living go through tools too frequently to make this cost effective.
 
SkunkPrince
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M'Bob M'Bob
I’ve seen these advertised for years, and have always wondered about them. They seem great in theory, yet no experienced watchmakers I know seem to use them. I don’t know if that’s because they don’t actually work, or people who do this for a living go through tools too frequently to make this cost effective.
Mine does, but he’s at a Rolex store. They do take some learning to use and it’s easier to just scratch the case.
 
Archer
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M'Bob M'Bob
I’ve seen these advertised for years, and have always wondered about them. They seem great in theory, yet no experienced watchmakers I know seem to use them. I don’t know if that’s because they don’t actually work, or people who do this for a living go through tools too frequently to make this cost effective.

They are simply not needed. If you know what you are doing, you can use a regular spring bar tool and avoid scratches.
 
M'Bob
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Archer Archer
They are simply not needed. If you know what you are doing, you can use a regular spring bar tool and avoid scratches.

I believe you, I just can’t figure out how it’s done. For instance, on my a Speedmaster with no. 6 ends, if you do one side at a time, it seems like the pressure from a tight-fitting end-link will always cause the spring bar to slide across the top of the lug when it comes out. There just doesn’t seem to be enough clearance to avoid this.
 
Archer
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M'Bob M'Bob
I believe you, I just can’t figure out how it’s done. For instance, on my a Speedmaster with no. 6 ends, if you do one side at a time, it seems like the pressure from a tight-fitting end-link will always cause the spring bar to slide across the top of the lug when it comes out. There just doesn’t seem to be enough clearance to avoid this.

They key is pressure...of lack of it on the bar.
 
M'Bob
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Again, I trust your judgement, I’m just not clear on what you mean.

There seems to be finite variables here: you stick the spring bar tool in, and use enough pressure to depress the spring enough so it comes out of the lug hole. Then, you angle it enough to clear the lug, usually on the back side. I guess I’m not clear where the variable pressure issue comes in.
 
Archer
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M'Bob M'Bob
Again, I trust your judgement, I’m just not clear on what you mean.

There seems to be finite variables here: you stick the spring bar tool in, and use enough pressure to depress the spring enough so it comes out of the lug hole. Then, you angle it enough to clear the lug, usually on the back side. I guess I’m not clear where the variable pressure issue comes in.

Not easy to describe in text, but many people press down on the end link as they are compressing the spring bar. I actually lift up on it slightly...
 
E
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Lololol i got a tutorial from the guy at the stores who changes it in seconds, but i still mess it up, lololol Comes with the watch!
 
I
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vbrad26 vbrad26
That'd be a good guess if I ever wore anything like that! Being in Florida the jacket comes out like, maybe twice a year.
I never even wear my sleeves down at work. Always rolled up...
Oh well...
Could be from the steel parts on the jeans pockets?
 
S
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0
Archer Archer
Not easy to describe in text, but many people press down on the end link as they are compressing the spring bar. I actually lift up on it slightly...

A video showing the process would be great. Think of all the scratches it would prevent!😀
 
EricCsN
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Watchout312 Watchout312
If you don’t have scratches, your not enjoying your watch.
no pain no gain .. Love the watch, hate the scratches
 
pbz
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S Sigg79
A video showing the process would be great. Think of all the scratches it would prevent!😀
I second this request. Any time there’s a chance to learn a valuable skill from a pro is a big win in my book.
 
S
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pbz pbz
...scratch or two on the inside surfaces of your lugs?

I just picked a brand new moonwatch and despite my best effort, painters tape and slow tempo picked up some small scratches when I swapped the bracelet for a sailcloth strap.

Granted, they’re tiny and on the downward facing side of the lugs, but it’s still bugging me since the watch is brand new.

Make me feel better and tell me how many of you have something similar on your pieces. Is there any foolproof way to avoid picking these up when using a sharp, metal spring bar tool?
 
S
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If you do not want scratches on the insides of your lugs, you better not change your strap. Coming out of it without a scratch requires utmost care and a really really really really passionate watchmaker. Will you keep visiting this guy everytime you want to change the strap? Or become one? Nobody got the time, mate. Accept the fact that you end up leaving some scratches everytime you change the strap and try to minimise it with each try. One way to minimise is by using dental floss while removing the strap, but putting it back inescapably leaves some until the spring bar catches the hole.
 
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