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Old 5 January 2020, 11:42 AM   #1
bund
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Offshore strap Change tool

Does anyone use this tool from APbands to change the strap on their offshore. Is it any good. Do I need to order another screwdriver with that tool or everything I need is included.





I seen my watchmaker use 2x screwdriver but worried I might slip.


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Old 5 January 2020, 12:04 PM   #2
Noak
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Does anyone use this tool from APbands to change the strap on their offshore. Is it any good. Do I need to order another screwdriver with that tool or everything I need is included.





I seen my watchmaker use 2x screwdriver but worried I might slip.


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I did not find this tool necessary when I switch my straps. On the watch case side, both ends are equipped with short screws and a bar sits in between. I have been switching between straps using just 1 screw driver.


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Old 5 January 2020, 12:07 PM   #3
bund
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I did not find this tool necessary when I switch my straps. On the watch case side, both ends are equipped with short screws and a bar sits in between. I have been switching between straps using just 1 screw driver.


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Ah thanks! I seen my watchmaker normally use 2 but the last time I went he only used 1 and it seemed easy. Might give that a shot then!



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Old 5 January 2020, 12:12 PM   #4
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This is the screwdriver I got will that work or do I need to order a 1.6





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Old 5 January 2020, 02:26 PM   #5
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This is the screwdriver I got will that work or do I need to order a 1.6





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I am using a 1.4 and it’s fine. The screws did not need a high torque to start turning so chances of slipping would be low.


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Old 5 January 2020, 06:27 PM   #6
AshAP
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These are the 4 tools that I use. 2x Bergeon 1.6mm screwdrivers. 1 x Bergeon spring bar tool, 1 x tweezers.

My only advice is to buy decent screwdrivers.


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Old 5 January 2020, 07:55 PM   #7
GS93108
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As above, you need two decent screwdrivers. I have two Bergeon's. You also need the springbar tool to remove the buckle. Once you've done it a couple of times it's dead easy.
Beware of slipping and blood stains on white straps...
Also, it's easy to miss, but each strap has a long bar that goes through the strap and the lugs, the middle section of each strap that's fitted to the watch from the factory has a metal sleeve, it's easy to leave that in the original strap and not even know it's there and thus miss installing it in the replacement strap.
When removing the original strap there is one screws, one long bar that runs the from lug to lug that has a screw end and a metal sleeve in the middle section that the long bar runs through.

I've edited this as even my own short term memory failed me. There's only one screw, the long bar itself also has a screw end.
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Old 5 January 2020, 07:59 PM   #8
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As above, you need two decent screwdrivers. I have two Bergeon's. You also need the springbar tool to remove the buckle. Once you've done it a couple of times it's dead easy.
Beware of slipping and blood stains on white straps...
Also, it's easy to miss, but each strap has a long bar that goes through the strap and the lugs, the middle section of each strap that's fitted to the watch from the factory has a metal sleeve, it's easy to leave that in the original strap and not even know it's there and thus miss installing it in the replacement strap.
When removing the original strap there are two screws, one long bar that runs the from lug to lug and a metal sleeve in the middle section that the long bar runs through.


I learnt something today, thanks Gary. I didn’t know about the long metal sleeve, I’m guessing that mine is long gone by now in a thrown away strap.


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Old 5 January 2020, 08:05 PM   #9
GS93108
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I learnt something today, thanks Gary. I didn’t know about the long metal sleeve, I’m guessing that mine is long gone by now in a thrown away strap.


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It's only the middle section that has the sleeve, it's precisely the same width as the middle strap section between the lugs, so not long at all. I didn't notice it the first time I changed straps and it certainly doesn't make any visual or noticeable difference whilst installed. It's just another 'attention to detail' feature of AP that makes me smile that they gone to that trouble.

I'm going to take the plunge and install the camo strap today, so I'll post a pic of the parts.
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Old 5 January 2020, 08:21 PM   #10
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Cool! Look forward to seeing it.


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Old 5 January 2020, 08:58 PM   #11
GS93108
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Here are a couple of pics showing the parts and tools for a strap change on an offshore.








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Old 5 January 2020, 09:05 PM   #12
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Thanks guys!!


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Old 6 January 2020, 01:26 AM   #13
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It's only the middle section that has the sleeve, it's precisely the same width as the middle strap section between the lugs, so not long at all. I didn't notice it the first time I changed straps and it certainly doesn't make any visual or noticeable difference whilst installed. It's just another 'attention to detail' feature of AP that makes me smile that they gone to that trouble.

I'm going to take the plunge and install the camo strap today, so I'll post a pic of the parts.


Are you using 1.4mm or 1.6mm screw drivers? I’m ordering some new straps and want to be prepared.

From what I have read the screws that are into the case are 1.6 while the ones into the strap are 1.4. Can you confirm that? Thanks.


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Old 6 January 2020, 01:30 AM   #14
GS93108
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1.4mm for the strap.
The plots’ screws are larger I believe but I haven’t ever needed to remove them.


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Old 6 January 2020, 01:32 AM   #15
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Thank you


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Old 6 January 2020, 02:20 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bund View Post
Does anyone use this tool from APbands to change the strap on their offshore. Is it any good. Do I need to order another screwdriver with that tool or everything I need is included.





I seen my watchmaker use 2x screwdriver but worried I might slip.


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I use one with a second screwdriver and like it. My only problem was that I needed to use my dremel to make the tip fit in a thinner slot, but I find it easier to do than two screwdrivers.
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Old 10 January 2020, 11:04 PM   #17
bund
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Thanks for the help guys!
Was able to swap out the bracelet using only 1 screwdriver.
Makes swapping back and forth so much easier now that I can do it on my own






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Old 11 January 2020, 01:28 AM   #18
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Very useful thread all, thank you.

One follow up question, why is there a need for two screw drivers us just the traditional do one side then the other? What am I missing in understand the need for two?
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Old 11 January 2020, 03:04 AM   #19
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Very useful thread all, thank you.

One follow up question, why is there a need for two screw drivers us just the traditional do one side then the other? What am I missing in understand the need for two?
To be honest I don't know how you can do it with just one screwdriver. The long bar has a screw slot head and the nut also has a screw slot head. If you turn one the whole thing just spins. I need two screwdrivers to release torque when removing the strap and to apply torque when installing the strap.

So, how's it done with one screwdriver?
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Old 11 January 2020, 03:29 AM   #20
bund
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To be honest I don't know how you can do it with just one screwdriver. The long bar has a screw slot head and the nut also has a screw slot head. If you turn one the whole thing just spins. I need two screwdrivers to release torque when removing the strap and to apply torque when installing the strap.



So, how's it done with one screwdriver?


I just hold it down and starts unscrewing and the screw comes out. Lol. Same thing when screwing it in...




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Old 11 January 2020, 03:35 AM   #21
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I just hold it down and starts unscrewing and the screw comes out. Lol. Same thing when screwing it in...




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Funny. Well done.
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Old 12 January 2020, 11:31 AM   #22
macrowatch
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Makes sense now on both the 1 vs 2 screwdriver approach. Sincerely thankful before I endeavor for my own strap changes!
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Old 17 January 2020, 02:41 AM   #23
bund
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Here are a couple of pics showing the parts and tools for a strap change on an offshore.








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I took my strap out again and realised my screws looks different from yours.



Makes sense why I was able to do it with 1 screwdriver.



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Old 17 January 2020, 03:10 AM   #24
GS93108
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Your ROO is 42mm mine 44mm, maybe there's a different system, maybe it's model or age related. Regardless, one screwdriver for you and an extra $15 cost for me for the second screw driver...
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Old 17 January 2020, 03:17 AM   #25
bund
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Your ROO is 42mm mine 44mm, maybe there's a different system, maybe it's model or age related. Regardless, one screwdriver for you and an extra $15 cost for me for the second screw driver...
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Old 23 January 2020, 06:58 PM   #26
mnmallen
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I've used the AP Bands strap change tool for a while now and find it pretty easy to use as it leaves me one hand free to hold the watch
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Old 19 May 2020, 09:29 AM   #27
Raemondo
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Here are a couple of pics showing the parts and tools for a strap change on an offshore.








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Super useful! What are the tweezers for?
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