Prsist Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 I thought a springbar is a springbar. What am I missing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chefcook Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 Quality, thickness and in some cases the rep spring bars do not even have the correct dimensions in length. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 Also when you compare a drilled case side with gen spring bars installed against a standard rep the difference is dramatic, also on the vintage case the ease of removing a bracelet take seconds with gen bars installed. It can some times be a pain drilling the lugs and the end links and last link of the bracelet but it is worth it, if you need lugs enlarged i have a good set up to do it. one i did the other day and some others you may notice that the top two cases were drilled at 1.5mm which is a little large the botom case is 1.3mm which is a far better size from looks and fit. I am so happy with the 1.3mm setup i have now in conjunction with my jig that drilling lus is a brease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 I am so happy with the 1.3mm setup i have now in conjunction with my jig that drilling lus is a brease. Hey Andy...that does look good. Do you have a link to a post on your jig? I`m quite interested in it. I`ve seen a few versions of it...but I would like to see YOURS!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 Made mine my self teinnind with a good drill pres x y table and some hss thick shaft drills cooling oil and a steady hand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbh Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 Great idea. Hope you don't mind me copying it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 I like the 1.5mm holes better. Thats what I drill mine too also. Simulates 30+ years of springbars rubbing around inside there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 Made mine my self teinnind with a good drill pres x y table and some hss thick shaft drills cooling oil and a steady hand That's great...can you show the other aspects??? I'm assuming 2 sides to clamp in tight with the screw. Is it wood or brass?? Do you hold it freehand on the drill press or do you clamp it to the press table?? Thanks for showing this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 it is just a wooden case holder I hold it free hand but i could clamp it down, when jusr enlarging lugs free hand is not a problem, drilling new ones will need more controll so i would clamp it to the x y table Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 Very clever!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 There's one primary reason why I use gen bars- Strength. I've had some watches come in with aftermarket bars that had their springs fail after a couple of compressions between my index finger and thumb. The pivot would just collapse inside the tube body. With gen bars, you can press the pivots in over and over and over again and they still retain their strength. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 There's one primary reason why I use gen bars- Strength.....With gen bars, you can press the pivots in over and over and over again and they still retain their strength. Ditto. Also, gens tend to have stronger internal springs, which translates into more outward tension, which translates into keeping the springbar in place better & longer with less change of a springbar failure leading to a dropped/lost watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomad89 Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 (edited) It allows you to add $100 to the value of your watch when you decide to sell it. Edited October 10, 2010 by nomad89 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prsist Posted October 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 So gen springbars are different than the kind I can pick up from a watch smith? They are actually ntamd labeled springbars? I've seen several websites and jewelers sell them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mapman57 Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 So gen springbars are different than the kind I can pick up from a watch smith? They are actually ntamd labeled springbars? I've seen several websites and jewelers sell them. Gen springbars are gen spring bars - many sell so called 'same spec as gen - but I have not found any yet that match. Dimensions are the same etc - 2 big differences I have found are - spring strength and memory retention - to fit you have to compress the centre bar a long way, many rep/gen bars have weak springs that lose their memory/resistance very quickly - downside is that the bar does not protrude through the lug hole on one of the sides! Bar tips can be more rounded and polished on gens if you want that look and who doesn't. If you find a source at reasonable prices, other than Rolex AD - please share! I have tried the ebay suppliers, Yuki and others - none compare in my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highoeyazmuhudee Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 believe it or not 2mm pin bars is one thing wholesaleoutlet consistently sells right. mine have survived multiple installs without failure, and the price is right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 On the Sub style 2mm bars I've been very happy with the ones from ofrei. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perry563 Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 Does anyone have a set of gen size springbars they can send me? I sent my watch to someone on these boards a few years ago for modding and I now see that the springbars he installed were NOT the correct gen like type. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prsist Posted October 14, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2010 How can one tell a rolex spring bar from a spring bar I can pick up at a watchmaker? What is the average cost if a pair? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted October 14, 2010 Report Share Posted October 14, 2010 Side-by-side, the Rolex 'bar's pins are noticeably stiffer when pressed & the overall finish is better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prsist Posted October 14, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2010 Side-by-side, the Rolex 'bar's pins are noticeably stiffer when pressed & the overall finish is better. I've seen some selling on ebay for around $9 for a pair, but i guess there is no way of being sure they are rolex springbars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted October 14, 2010 Report Share Posted October 14, 2010 Buy the seller before you buy the part. That is the best way to (help) insure you receive what you expect. That said, I have recently noted that many generally good/reliable gen sellers are (unknowingly) selling aftermarket parts. Even the best of us can be fooled sometimes. The only way to guarantee a genuine Rolex part is to get it directly from Rolex or a watchmaker within the official Rolex network (which can only be verified by checking with Rolex). It is definitely getting tough out there, folks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyB Posted October 14, 2010 Report Share Posted October 14, 2010 Clark Watch has had both genuine and aftermarket Rolex springbars several months ago when I bought from him. He is very honest and will accurately say what he has. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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