Vintage Daytona Lug Holes

[freddy333]

Are the lug holes in DW cases the correct size?

After spending the past week studying my Rolex reference books and re-viewing the nearly half gig's worth of gen vintage Daytona photos that I have amassed in my hard drive archives over the years, I still cannot decide whether the lug holes in DW cases are correct or if they need to be drilled (enlarged)?

Here is a side-by-side comparison

(the lug holes in the case on the left are untouched and the lug holes in the case on the right are drilled to 1.31mm)

If anyone has a set of gen 19mm springbars as used in vintage Daytonas and a micrometer, can you measure the end pins and post the diameter? I only need the size of the end pins that fit into the lug holes, not the springbar body itself.

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One thing that IS clear (no pun intended) is the superiority of gen Tropic 21 crystals over either Clark's or Helfands generic lenses. Not only does the gen T21 stand prouder than the generics, but the Plexiglas material literally sparkles in comparison

Anyone that may be wondering whether this is a good place to save a little money, I would recommend against it. Go for the gen T21.

[freddy333]

Nanuq -- I agree that the 20mm bars do not fit the OEM DW lug holes, but, based on the input I have received so far, I have a feeling the 19mm bars may actually have different (narrower) pins. I would not put it past Rolex to use different bars (for different watches) with the same lug widths, which is why I am hoping someone with a real pair (of springbars) will also have a micrometer or a more conclusive answer.

I ordered some 19mm bars that Avitt recommended, but I already know that the case diameter on these is narrower than the case diameter of the 20mm gen (or generic) bars (which I have).

What is wrong with the crown & tube you already have? I thought Ziggy modded your watch?

[freddy333]

I think I remember reading about that. Ouch!

Did Ziggy say he was unable to repair it for some reason? If you have the replacement parts, I might be able to fix it as long as the tube did not damage the hole in the case (I can tap minor cross-threading, but cannot fix stripped threads). But PM me and we can discuss it if you want.