Yes, there are springbars which looks like screws. But they won't work with the bracelet because they are too thick. Like screws with tubes. But you could order a set by River and use them with the rubber strap. Makes strap changing much easier.
Just disassemble the watch. The dagger ist just popped on the shock system. Simply peel it of carefully and push the new one in place. And after then you have to regulate the movement again. I'd say try it first on a broken movement. And take care of the spring and the balance wheel. The dagger is holding them in place.
Hope this helps a bit
Maybe I'm wrong, but Pete's 088 looks extreme gen to me. The CP and the CG, oh my!!
But yours will be almost as good as a gen. Mine will have: relumed dial, taka raised dw, LH polished crownguard, custom cyclops and AR. And the modded and flush cannon pin.
Sorry Pete, don't want to crap your thread.
I've had an EL217 without dagger and I've done the following:
I've removed the "needle" from the swiss movement and had it replaced with a dagger from a cheap 35$ asian6497. It took about 30 minutes and was worth the work. Just try it here, too. Maybe it'll work.
I am pretty sure it's just the pic due to the polished surface of the screws. In the pic every screw looks different. And believe me - Vac would never send you a watch with 99%. that's why everybody loves Vac!!!
The white battons version is the V3. And it's almost impossible to fit the bracelet on the case. I've tried it and failed. Try to get an used V2 and swap the dial. Put a gen white battons into it. Makes a huge difference and it's worth every penny.