Breitling Rubber Strap Spring Bars

[Karlig]

Just purchased an OEM Breitling rubber strap for my Galactic II Chrono and I have read that a rubber strap requires a slightly longer set of spring bars. For bracelets 22mm, 23mm for rubber. I went ahead and used the standard 22mm bars that came with the watch and the fit is fine. Am I missing something here?
Is there a know issue with using the 22mm bars, sure don't want to take a chance of losing the watch. Can any experts chime in?

[BiggerJon]

I have been using my oem 22mm bars with my rubber for a few months now. No issues.

[Mystro]

The 22mm will fit but it can come loose very easy with a twisting of the rubber strap. I have tested it out and it's shocking how easy I can get a quality 22mm spring bar to pop off the lugs with a twist of the Breitling OEM rubber strap. Always go up one mm when using a strap. Any watch maker will tell you to use the longest possible spring bar.
The bracelet can get away with a shorter spring bar because it can't twist at the lug points. I did a tutorial of this on the Omega forum years ago for the Planet Ocean and many have chimed in that they have experienced spring bar failures with rubber straps using too short of spring bars.

I did all the leg work to find quality 23mm spring bars at a reasonable price. Don't risk a $5K watch for a $3 part.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/381657212165...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Karlig]

Thanks for the info., going to order the 23mm bars.

[Mystro]

Great move. About every year or so these threads come up.

Originally Posted by Karlig

Thanks for the info., going to order the 23mm bars.

[The Relumer]

what thickness do we need for the bracelet and rubber strap springbars?
1.8 mm ?
2.0mm ?

[toxicavenger]

A longer spring bar will not go farther into the lug holes. They will only go as far as the hole is drilled. So I do not see why the length would make any difference. The spring bar tip depth looks the same.

[Nucengineer]

With all Breitling spring bars, the strap vs bracelet, the strap bars are slightly longer which provides more tension when in place. This is required because of the additional flexibility straps have over a steel bracelet between the lugs. The slightly longer spring bar will not work with the bracelet. The shorter bar can become dislodged due to a sudden impact, so I would use the longer bars when wearing a strap.