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Spring Bar Hell

sevenhelmet
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Archer Archer
What is the uncompressed length of the Omega bars you removed?

The plot thickens. In preparing to respond, I broke out my vernier caliper. Turns out that I have several bars which measure roughly 23.3mm uncompressed, and one that measures just 22.4mm. It's visually apparent, but not enough so to be obvious when they're all together in a parts bag. I tried the 22.4mm bar, and it popped right in! Looks like putting all my "20mm" spring bars in the same parts bag finally bit me, as they aren't all created equal. What's really odd is that I dropped one, found a spring bar on the floor, yet I only have 1 that is the proper length. So it looks like the spring bar I found had been down there a while, and the one I dropped this morning is still on the floor somewhere.

Time to go parts shopping. And stop dropping spring bars during strap swaps. I feel more than a bit sheepish. 😵‍💫

Al, you continue to amaze me with your insight and education. Thank you for introducing me to something new. Before today, I would have thought a 20mm bar was a 20mm bar was a 20mm bar. Not so. 👍
 
Shailor
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I would like to pick up some spares as I've bought a leather strap for my Speedmaster. Where are you going to get them from?
 
sevenhelmet
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Shailor Shailor
I would like to pick up some spares as I've bought a leather strap for my Speedmaster. Where are you going to get them from?

Probably Ofrei. They have them listed by bracelet number, so I'll just get one that matches my Speedy (1998/849 bracelet).

Anyone have a better recommended supplier for bars than Ofrei?
 
sevenhelmet
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UPDATE: So I actually have no clue what to order from Otto Frei. Some have dimensions, but the only bar that has the 1998 bracelet model # on it is listed as a "clasp spring bar"... so should I just go with their "20mm" bar at the top of the page?

Any assistance is appreciated. I didn't anticipate this much drama over spring bars!
Edited:
 
Ree
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sevenhelmet sevenhelmet
UPDATE: So I actually have no clue what to order from Otto Frei. Some have dimensions, but the only bar that has the 1998 bracelet model # on it is listed as a "clasp spring bar"... so should I just go with their "20mm" bar at the top of the page?

Any assistance is appreciated. I didn't anticipate this much drama over spring bars!
I was confused by spring bars too. Some I bought off eBay with dia 1.8mm couldn't even fit the lug holes. Thought the Omega one was also 1.8mm. Turns out the part that goes into the lug hole is different.
Not sure which one on Otto Frei, but I ended up going to to Omega Service Center and they gave 068st2207 for bracelet and 068st2208 for strap.
 
Archer
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Spring bars for bracelets are slightly shorter than those for straps, even though both are for 20 mm lugs. Bracelet bars are 068ST2207, and for straps are 068ST2208.

Cheers, Al
 
sevenhelmet
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Archer Archer
Spring bars for bracelets are slightly shorter than those for straps, even though both are for 20 mm lugs. Bracelet bars are 068ST2207, and for straps are 068ST2208.

Cheers, Al

That explains it then. I got strap bars for the NATO strap with my moonwatch. Not sure where the other 2 strap bars came from. I'm missing one of my original shorter bracelet bars due to clumsy fingers.

Where can mere mortals (e.g. non-watchmakers or ADs) get the replacement bracelet bars? My google-fu is turning up nothing.
 
Archer
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These should be available at any AD or boutique.
 
marco
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Archer Archer
Spring bars for bracelets are slightly shorter than those for straps, even though both are for 20 mm lugs. Bracelet bars are 068ST2207, and for straps are 068ST2208.

Cheers, Al
Thank you for this , I spent hours trying to fit a Rolex Jubilee on my old gilt Sub after it had been on a strap for ages. I just tried other spring bars and it went on just like that. I had no idea why.
 
chickenman26
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I discovered this a while back when I bought an Omega leather strap to replace the bracelet on my 38.5 AT. The boutique had to order me the longer bars for the strap. Now I keep bars along with their specific straps/bracelets in separate plastic baggies to prevent accidental swapping.
 
ras47
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sevenhelmet sevenhelmet
Meanwhile, she lives on a cordovan I had in the drawer...

Speedy Cordovan.jpg
That cordovan is gorgeous. Generally I prefer black to match the dial, but that dark reddish brown is spectacular.
 
sevenhelmet
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ras47 ras47
That cordovan is gorgeous. Generally I prefer black to match the dial, but that dark reddish brown is spectacular.

Thanks! I'm a huge fan of the combo. I've been wearing it every day this week.
 
ras47
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sevenhelmet sevenhelmet
Thanks! I'm a huge fan of the combo. I've been wearing it every day this week.
Regular buckle or deployment clasp?
 
sevenhelmet
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ras47 ras47
Ok, I'm in! The deployment clasp clinched it. 😀

I'm amazed deployants aren't more popular. I've converted almost all my watches to clasps after dropping not just one, but TWO nice watches while trying to pin a buckle. Plus, I think they have a more refined look.
 
ras47
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The clasp nearly vanishes when closed. They're a little spendy though and that may keep some people from considering deployment clasps.

Simple to adjust, easy to put on/take off the watch, and sleek.
 
BlackTalon
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I am 100% in agreement with sevenhelmet and ras47. The clasps are 'spendy' when looked at in a vacuum, but $250 on a $3k+ watch isn't unreasonable in my mind, especially since they keep you from having to futz with a buckle. You would need to try pretty hard to drop you watch while putting it on. taking it off if you use a deployant.
 
yinzerniner
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BlackTalon BlackTalon
I am 100% in agreement with sevenhelmet and ras47. The clasps are 'spendy' when looked at in a vacuum, but $250 on a $3k+ watch isn't unreasonable in my mind, especially since they keep you from having to futz with a buckle. You would need to try pretty hard to drop you watch while putting it on. taking it off if you use a deployant.

There are brand-name alternatives to the Omega that work almost as well, but none work as well as the Omega. As in many things you pay an exponential premium for an incremental improvement, but as @BlackTalon stated the actual upcharge is minor once you consider the object it's attached to and the improvement in comfort and security.
 
Kmart
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sevenhelmet sevenhelmet
I'm amazed deployants aren't more popular. I've converted almost all my watches to clasps after dropping not just one, but TWO nice watches while trying to pin a buckle. Plus, I think they have a more refined look.

Funny, I despise deployant clasps. The clasp adds way too much bulk to the strap and to me they are much more finicky to put on. Give me a classic tang buckle any day...
 
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