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Old 29 September 2020, 07:48 AM   #1
JustinK
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Spring bar jammed

I just bought a Tudor Snowflake today and went to remove the bracelet only to find one of the spring bars is frozen. I have a spring bar tool and have applied pressure to both sides of the pin with no movement what so ever. Any suggestions? Never had this happen before.

Thanks?
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Old 29 September 2020, 07:52 AM   #2
KatGirl
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You might have to take it to a jeweler. You Don’t want to eff up the bracelet or the lugs.
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Old 29 September 2020, 07:57 AM   #3
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Trying to avoid any damage :)

I was thinking some oil to start but was looking for tips. The sizing pin on the bracelet is also seized but I think if I can get the bracelet off soaking it will solve the bracelet pin.

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Old 29 September 2020, 08:12 AM   #4
Rick Deckard
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Try moderate heat (no heat gun). I was successful once on my 16030 with a hand held steam cleaner. It can't mess anything up, so it may be worth a try.
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Old 29 September 2020, 08:54 AM   #5
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Not sure the watch is water proof so a little nervous about steaming it. I am going to try a couple drops of oil to see if I can free it up unless anyone has a better suggestion.
Not sure if it’s bent but neither end will compress, usually at least one will compress but both are solid and won’t budge.

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Old 29 September 2020, 03:36 PM   #6
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Happens quite frequently with Rolex/Tudor springbars.

Press the springbar itself down on a hard surface, and really press it hard, it will click and jump back out to it's normal position.
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Old 29 September 2020, 08:34 PM   #7
JustinK
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Happens quite frequently with Rolex/Tudor springbars.

Press the springbar itself down on a hard surface, and really press it hard, it will click and jump back out to it's normal position.
It’s still in the lug so I don’t want to scratch or damage the lug. I can’t get behind the 580 end piece which is a tight fit. I have a spring bar tool and have applied a lot of pressure to each side of the bar with no movement whatsoever.

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Old 1 October 2020, 02:14 AM   #8
JustinK
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Okay so my watchmaker is out until next week. I managed to get one side of the spring bar loose and was able to remove it however the other end is corroded in the lug hole. I am using a spring bar tool to try to pop it out. Any suggestions on a solvent that might help loosen it. I have been using WD40 but was not sure if goof off or similar was safe.

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Old 1 October 2020, 02:26 AM   #9
HERITAGE82
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That is some serious corrosion on the springbar. have you tried putting just the lug in hot water? If the water isn't boiling or just sits for a second there shouldn't be enough steam to cause any damage to the watch and I literally mean just the lug in the water.
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Old 1 October 2020, 04:56 AM   #10
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That is some serious corrosion on the springbar. have you tried putting just the lug in hot water? If the water isn't boiling or just sits for a second there shouldn't be enough steam to cause any damage to the watch and I literally mean just the lug in the water.
Yes tried it but no luck. Soaked the lug in wd 40 as well. Heated Jewlers cleaner and soaked it but no luck.

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Old 1 October 2020, 06:57 AM   #11
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At this point I side with Kat.
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Old 1 October 2020, 07:18 AM   #12
JustinK
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I would have taken it right to my watchmaker but did not want to wait a week as he is on holiday.

Good news, I finally got it out with no damage to the lug hole or scratches on the lug thanks to electrical tape. I used lighter fluid which seemed to be the only thing to loosen the corrosion. I was able to tap my spring bar tool with a hammer until it finally gave way.

Never seen anything like this before. The pin on the clasp was also seized but is fine after I soaked the bracelet. I think the watch has been sitting in a safe for a very long time.

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Old 2 October 2020, 04:03 AM   #13
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Quote:
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Yes tried it but no luck. Soaked the lug in wd 40 as well. Heated Jewlers cleaner and soaked it but no luck.
WD-40 is really only for water displacement. Never had any luck with stuck bolts, etc.

Hmm, apply a small amount of PB using a small paint brush and let soak in.

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Old 2 October 2020, 04:17 AM   #14
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Reminds me of the time I bought a brand new tegmented bracelet for my Sinn, and tried to size it. I have all the correct tools, but could not unscrew the links. I even shed blood while working on it, when the screw driver slipped and gouged my other hand. I called up the dealer and he told me a crazy story about a mishap at the factory, where they used the wrong strength of Loctite, when assembling the bracelet. In the end, they had to send me a new bracelet. The things we go through, for the love of watches!
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Old 2 October 2020, 06:48 AM   #15
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Loctite will normally loosen up when heating. So next time hold it for a small moment above a lighter or something like that and the loctite will give way.
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Old 2 October 2020, 07:21 AM   #16
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I’d wait and let your watchmaker finish the job. He’ll need to clean out the remnants of the corroded pins from the lugholes and maybe do some drilling.

That watch was likely put away dirty for a long time. And judging from the wear seen on the underside of the lugs, was worn hard for a good while.

Did the seller give you any service history? If not... hope the price reflected the need for a full overhaul.


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Old 2 October 2020, 10:04 AM   #17
JustinK
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[QUOTE=77T;10961540]I’d wait and let your watchmaker finish the job. He’ll need to clean out the remnants of the corroded pins from the lugholes and maybe do some drilling.

That watch was likely put away dirty for a long time. And judging from the wear seen on the underside of the lugs, was worn hard for a good while.

Did the seller give you any service history? If not... hope the price reflected the need for a full overhaul.


Nothing to finish it’s all good, the wear you see is from the end links. The watch is actually unpolished and a very nice example. Just crazy that the spring bar corroded in the lug hole like it did.

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