Cutting spring bars—tool?

[LakeshowMD]

Hi all

I swapped back my sub oyster bracelet after wearing it with rubber and used the wrong spring bars not paying attention. Long story short I cannot remove the spring bars because there is not much for the tool to grip onto

Is there anyway to just cut the spring bar without ruining the bracelet or watch case?


Thank you!


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[omar-rye]

There's nothing small enough that can fit in there and cut the spring bar. If the spring bar went in, it can come out the same way. You can try pushing the spring bar into the center until it breaks or gets jammed in, and repeat the same process on the other side

Edit: it would have been much easier if it had lug holes

[LakeshowMD]

I simply can’t grip the damn thing to push it towards any center

I just wonder if there’s a small enough wire saw or pliers to snap it. I purchased pliers off Amazon but weren’t small enough. Hopefully someone will have some input


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[Undefeatable]

Try using waxed floss and thread it where the springbar is. The wax will help grip the end of the springbar. I had to do that with one my my Seiko's that has shoulderless springbars because my springbar tool had nothing to grab onto.

Kinda like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42xQfckD-PM

Its going to be a pain to get it threaded through.

[EagleBear]

Can you post a picture of the back side so we can see it ?
You say you used the wrong ones wondering if you used ones without the proper flange.

[omar-rye]

Are you using Bergeon tweezers? I think the best course of action would be to take it to Rolliworks. Hopefully they’ve encountered a similar situation before and have a fix for it

[MRBolton]

I just had a similar situation yesterday. Had a pair of curved springbars that were tiny at the tips on a watch that had big holes. Thankfully, I had been wearing the watch on NATOs, so I had full access to the springbar.

In the end, I was able to push decently hard on one end enough to compress both sides enough that it compressed enough on both sides for me to just barely slip it out.

[jimcarver]

I would not try anything DIY in trying to break the spingbar (although id give the dental floss trick mentioned above a go).
I bought a retro Casio they released in stainless steel (rather than the usual plastic case), I was messing about and changed the bracelet on it from another ($15) Casio with lug holes, used the wrong spring bars and genuinely couldn't break them for hours but was too stubborn to give up. The case was an absolute mess by the time I finished. I'd guess any Rolex spring bars are going to be significantly tougher than those on a 415 Casio.

[diver2012]

Dental floss.

[CarlOver]

Originally Posted by LakeshowMD

Hi all

I swapped back my sub oyster bracelet after wearing it with rubber and used the wrong spring bars not paying attention. Long story short I cannot remove the spring bars because there is not much for the tool to grip onto

Is there anyway to just cut the spring bar without ruining the bracelet or watch case?


Thank you!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sometimes the springbars bind inside. I would try the other side a bunch of times and go back and forth to the other side. Repeat. You need the appropriate spingbar bar tool. The Rolex spring bars need a very fine fork to get a good bite. Best to you!

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by diver2012

Dental floss.

Would try this firsr


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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Undefeatable

Try using waxed floss and thread it where the springbar is. The wax will help grip the end of the springbar. I had to do that with one my my Seiko's that has shoulderless springbars because my springbar tool had nothing to grab onto.

Kinda like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42xQfckD-PM

Its going to be a pain to get it threaded through.

That’s friggin brilliant Kevin

[waterman1]

You may think a little over the top, but I use shoulderless spring bars on my sd43 and wear on NATO a lot. So I have to cut the springbars off to remove them.
Yes they can be cut easily. No damage to watch at all.
You just need the right type of wire cutters.

[tifosi]

Originally Posted by waterman1

You may think a little over the top, but I use shoulderless spring bars on my sd43 and wear on NATO a lot. So I have to cut the springbars off to remove them.
Yes they can be cut easily. No damage to watch at all.
You just need the right type of wire cutters.

Yes, I'm sure much easier when you can remove the nato, first!

There is a rubber strap in place on the OP's watch.

[HERITAGE82]

We need a picture to give any valuable advice

[waterman1]

Oops. Sorry- did not know there was a rubber strap in place. I have used a method in this situation that works, although was on a Seiko. Swiss army style knife blade to work in between lug and rubber at about 45 degree angle and the knife gets just enough traction to be able to pop spring bar loose.

[NickD1975]

It reads like it's back on the bracelet, not on rubber. He'll only have the gap for the spring bar tool to work with.

[waterman1]

I better just keep quiet! I’ve missed all the details on this one clearly. It sounds like this might require a good jeweler or RSC though.