ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
28 September 2021, 01:24 PM | #1 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: West Coast
Posts: 2,349
|
Damage from Third Party Watch Straps for Patek & PM Cases?
Hey All,
Had a quick question that I was wondering. I purchased a couple of third party straps for my white gold 6119g. The straps are fitted with the quick release spring bars which I’m assuming are in steel. Given the case is white gold (and softer) is there any reason for concern that over time these straps will wear out / enlarge the holes in the lugs? Are the spring bars in OEM PP straps (also quick release) white gold or stainless steel? I’m assuming that there are made in whatever precious metal the watch is in and not stainless steel… There are way more options for third party straps and I don’t think (if there is, probably not an easy way) to change the spring bars in these quick release spring bar straps…. |
28 September 2021, 02:46 PM | #2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Real Name: mike
Location: sydney
Watch: pp and only pp
Posts: 257
|
OEM PP strap has white gold spring bar. Your concern is correct.
|
28 September 2021, 04:49 PM | #3 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 4,152
|
Quote:
|
|
28 September 2021, 09:13 PM | #4 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: West Coast
Posts: 2,349
|
Quote:
Yeah it's something I didn't think of at the time when ordering. I'm sure if I asked I could have gotten it like that straight from the strap manufacturer. I do see that on the OEM strap there are cuts so the springbars can slide out. On the straps I ordered, the leather is connected on the quick spring tab so it would be more challenging to slide it out as is. If I visit a local AD, wondering if they'd be willing to help with the straps if (1) I didn't purchase the watch there (2) they are aftermarket / third party straps? If not, maybe I can just use an exacto knife to make a cut myself? lol |
|
29 September 2021, 12:50 AM | #5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Real Name: Client n.9
Location: Upper Volta
Watch: what I like to do
Posts: 437
|
Don’t ever cross-pollinate spring bars: gold on gold case, s/s on s/s case, etc. Unseen case problems will develop over time.
__________________
I don't mind patina as long as it's my patina. |
29 September 2021, 02:53 AM | #6 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: West Coast
Posts: 2,349
|
Anyone know how much OEM spring bars are from Patek? I'm assuming they charge $$$ for what they are
Also, I realized with some maneuvering, the steel spring bars can be jiggered out of the quick release strap holes. The OEM patek strap is different in that the cut goes directly to the edge so the spring bars slide out very easily. Other strapmakers have the cut in the strap, but it's closed off which requires some bending / maneuvering. |
29 September 2021, 04:18 AM | #7 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 4,152
|
|
29 September 2021, 04:19 AM | #8 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 4,152
|
|
29 September 2021, 04:36 AM | #9 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: West Coast
Posts: 2,349
|
Quote:
Did a google search actually and came across this thread from 2016: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=465564 Looks like they were $75 each ($150 for a pair of 2 spring bars) back then. Not sure how much they are now |
|
29 September 2021, 08:20 AM | #10 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 4,152
|
|
29 September 2021, 12:07 PM | #11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Real Name: Client n.9
Location: Upper Volta
Watch: what I like to do
Posts: 437
|
Incorrect. s/s bars on s/s cases only. Just bought new spring bars for my 5212 and was sold s/s. Was strongly cautioned by HSWA to never cross-pollinate. In the short run, it will never be noticed. In the long run, you will ruin the lug holes.
__________________
I don't mind patina as long as it's my patina. |
29 September 2021, 04:48 PM | #12 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 4,152
|
Interesting, I will ask again as this most certainly wasn’t the feedback I got for Patek pin bars or indeed what I received for my 5212 - are PP now marking the pin bars so you can see what they are made of? I would also be interested to understand how a softer inert metal can damage SS, I was specifically told Patek uses the softest inert metal for all it’s pin bars so they will never damage any watch be it SS, WG, YG, RG or PT - the pin bar is always equal to or softer than the case and can easily be replaced.
|
29 September 2021, 07:49 PM | #13 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Home
Watch: Patek Aquanaut
Posts: 837
|
a spring cannot be make out of gold the steel spring will be incased in gold
|
29 September 2021, 08:42 PM | #14 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 4,152
|
|
29 September 2021, 10:58 PM | #15 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 79
|
Spring Bars
I have heard the explanations about using steel spring bars on a gold case and how it can wear the lug holes over time. And it's true that PP spring bars are in gold, but not every company uses gold spring bars for gold watch cases.
For instance, VC uses steel spring bars on many of their dress watches that are coloured gold (i.e. 1921 American). So I'm not sure if the wear and tear issue is fact or a myth -- Lots of people use non-OEM spring bars for their Pateks It's also very hard to purchase extra OEM spring bars for PP.....my AD usually offers an exchange...they dont sell you new ones. |
30 September 2021, 02:36 AM | #16 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 4,152
|
Wow, never heard of that before. I have several spare sets for all my pieces as I change straps very often. Different markets I guess, my AD originally had trouble ordering a 5172G strap to fit onto my 5212A but I know other regions were able to order straight away.
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
*Banners
Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.