Changing various straps - spring bar tool?

[AshG]

Morning all.

So...I have 6 watches, all different makes, three of which are on metal bracelets, two on leather straps and one on rubber. I want to be able to change the straps. I've heard mention of spring bar tools; is there ONE such tool that will enable me to change the straps on ANY watch, or will I need a selection of tools?

Also, just how easy is it do change straps on most watches?

Many thanks in advance!

[sparkyhx]

don't know for certain - but I haven't come across one yet that my tool doesn't work for.

They are only a couple of quid off ebay, mine is double ended - a small one and a larger one.

[andy_s]

I've a Bergeon double ended tool from http://www.thestrapshop.co.uk/ which was a tenner and arrived the next day, it has a 'v' spring bar tool one end and a flat 'push rod' on the other. The tool ends can be unscrewed and changed. You can get a smaller 'v' tool which may be usefull for bracelets (where the access is a bit tighter) and a mini driver for any screws - they are a few quid each. There's cheaper on the 'bay no doubt but you won't need a better one than the Bergeon. HTH

[andy_s]

...oh, it may be an idea to get a few spare spring bars as well, just in case one goes flying into next doors garden....

[AshG]

Many thanks Andy. Looks like the Bergeon is the one to go for. But how about ease of use?

[andy_s]

I only just started using it this weekend and I was a) a novice and b) a cack handed fool, but had no probs at all changing straps 4 times so youll be fine. The 'v' bit is slid into the join between lug and strap towards the springbar, it engages with the collar on the spring bar, push or angle it so it compresses the spring until the pin is unseated, pull gently on the strap and it comes away.

[AshG]

Thanks again Andy. Being rather cack of hand myself at times, this all bodes well. Did you order any of the alternate heads for the tool? I am thinking that the fine fork head may well be useful, and I am also wondering what 'blind hole' type case lugs are...

Edited by AshG on Monday 5th October 13:15

[andy_s]

AshG said:

Thanks again Andy. Being rather cack of hand myself at times, this all bodes well. Did you order any of the alternate heads for the tool? I am thinking that the fine fork head may well be useful, and I am also wondering what 'blind hole' type case lugs are...

No worries - I just ordered the standard 'v' plus push rod ends, I was going to get the smaller 'v' but didn't need it in the end (but it would have been a bit less fiddly with one).
I think blind hole is the standard type, ie the hole doesn't go all the way through, the spring bars for these have 'collars' that the 'v' tool uses to hold against to push the pin down into the bar. I presume the other type would be 'open hole', such as on Rolex - and probably that's where the straight push rod comes in - I presume the spring bars used in an open hole don't neccesarily have collars but need to be pushed by poking your rod down the hole....as it were. I could be wrong in that an open hole just makes it easier to get to the pin and so the bracelet doesn't need a cut-out bit to access the collar, it's just a straight push.
I've confused myself now but I'm sure someone will clarify if I'm steering you wrong.

Next thing to do of course is to have a look at Toshi straps. That's where I'm off now...

[AshG]

Thanks once again Andy. That actually all makes sense pretty much.

I DO like the look of Toshi's straps, but I think that as most of them are 4mm in thickness, they are too thick for my skinny wrists. The main watch I want to be able to change the bracelet on is my Hamilton Khaki King Scuba.



This already has a very chunky, 3mm thick bracelet. (And I think that the watch itself is at the limit of what I can get away with, size-wise). I think that 4mm is pushing it too far for me!

[andy_s]

That's nice Ash, I was looking at Hamilton the other day and they do have some interesting ones, I was looking at the new Base Jump model in particular which uses the bezel to start/stop/reset the chrono, an interesting idea. I hadn't seen yours before though - sounds like you've got the same chicken leg wrists as I have, but I'm giving Toshi a go anyway - the rubber strap on at the moment is a 5mm and I quite ike the chunkiness for some reason, whether that translates well with leather I don't know, but worth a punt anyway.

Edited by andy_s on Tuesday 6th October 10:48