The one watch accessory I never thought I’d need to buy...

As @Archer has posted many times before the comparison between Omega spring bars and other Swiss made spring bars such as those from Horotec show that the Omega ones really are superior. WELL worth the $2 a set cost to pick up some extras. And if you have a really nice Omega Boutique you might even get them for free as some people here have posted.

Though I’ve never had a springbar accident other than the damn things flying across the room and subsequently disappearing into some other dimension when putting them on a watch, I do notice differences between the cheap Chinese and the (quite possibly also Chinese) relatively expensive, original ones. The ones by Omega, Tudor and IWC simply look and feel better constructed. They’re a little heavier and there’s less play on the springy bits.

I can’t be 100% sure that it matters from personal experience, but I’m not going to take the chance. As a Dutchman, I like to be frugal but I don’t see the point of saving a few bucks on a spring bar relative to the cost of the watch. Your real savings are in becoming a better negotiator ;-)

Wow, impressive damage, but also impressive restauration! Thanks for sharing, didn’t see these pictures before!

On topic: I’ve used lots of different spring bars, if I’ve any doubts I’ll trow them away. This works fine for me.

Haven’t heard about the superior quality of the Omega spring bars, will give them a try and pick up a few next time in the shop!

Well. This happened to my friend on Sunday. He said he was yawning with a big stretch and heard and felt a pop on his wrist. Luckily he stretched his arm upward so the watch went into his sweater cuff and didn't drop. I think this bar came off of a Seiko watch. I put on a generic spare spring bar I had laying around for him but after reading this thread, maybe I should tell him to go to an OB and ask for some genuine spring bars. Scary.😲