Strap replacement tools

[Mr Scruff]

Any suggestions for decent tools to change straps with? Wanting to try some alternatives and want to be sure I don’t take unnecessary risks (scratching) with cheap tools...

[matt666]

Do you need a spring bar tool? Bergeon are good, you can get them on Amazon for about £12. The come in different sizes and the tips are replaceable

It’s still a good idea to cover all the shiny bits you can with masking tape just in case

[Dolf Stoppard]

As above. For spring bar tools and drivers I think it's well worth buying decent items - especially if working on a decent watch.

[Mr Scruff]

Perfect, yes, spring bar tool is what I’m after. Thanks

[bristolbaron]

If it’s a leather strapped watch you’ll cause more potential damage with a spring bar tool than a watchmakers pocket knife. This sort of thing:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Victorinox-0-6990-16-Watc...

[Fullook]

bristolbaron said:

If it’s a leather strapped watch you’ll cause more potential damage with a spring bar tool than a watchmakers pocket knife. This sort of thing:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Victorinox-0-6990-16-Watc...

Damage to the strap or the case / lugs?

[bristolbaron]

Fullook said:

Damage to the strap or the case / lugs?

Either! Unless you have open ended lugs you can push a tool through, flanged spring bars are fiddly work and the forked end of a tool tend to slip. A slight sideways movement with a knife and you’re away.

[Mr Scruff]

Bumping my own thread, sorry.

Just had quotes of £50+ to replace the battery on my old Tag formula 1. Sod that, it’s value is purely sentimental to me but to replace a battery that’s plain ridiculous! eBay throws up a confusing array of back removal tools but are there recommended ones?

[bingybongy]

If you're not bothered about guaranteed water resistance just take it to a high street independent jewellers the one in my nearest town.
(Belper in Derbyshire), charges a fiver and I still shower etc after having one done.
Watch in question a Tag.

[jcborden]

This is a super simple tool(?) to open case backs and guaranteed to damage:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00L0XL9TC/ref...

Looks like a joke, but I was much more comfortable using this than more specialist tools that could scratch, made taking the back off very easy!

Mr Scruff said:

Bumping my own thread, sorry.

Just had quotes of £50+ to replace the battery on my old Tag formula 1. Sod that, it’s value is purely sentimental to me but to replace a battery that’s plain ridiculous! eBay throws up a confusing array of back removal tools but are there recommended ones?

[Mr Scruff]

jcborden said:

This is a super simple tool(?) to open case backs and guaranteed to damage:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00L0XL9TC/ref...

Looks like a joke, but I was much more comfortable using this than more specialist tools that could scratch, made taking the back off very easy!

Brilliant!

I love the fact that "Sometime may be the ball has a cartoon picture on it.And the cartoon picture of the ball is at random."

[eccles]

jcborden said:

This is a super simple tool(?) to open case backs and guaranteed to damage:

I thought avoiding damage was the reason you used them .......