predfan2001 Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 Ok, mine just came in today. I couldn't wait to open the package. When I did...WOW! It may not be completely accurate but it is beautiful. The time set and the crown screwed in just as they should. The markers are vintage looking, but not too yellow (what a change). I also ordered a riveted band to replace the modern style oyster that comes on this watch. When I got home, I removed the band and the first spring bar was bent up bad. I thought..whooopps. I carefully removed the second one and it was the same way. Then I started to install the riveted band and found out why the original spring bars were bent at a 45 degree angle on the ends. The lug holes are in way to far in the case. I even tried 3 more bands and end links and still nothing fit. I even tried the original "bent" springbars that came with the watch but the ends came out when I tried to reinstall them. I just installed a NATO (G-10) for now. Don't get me wrong, I love this watch....just FYI. Think before you remove your band on one of these. Here's some pics: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdavis Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 I found the same problem on a Datejust (not Silix) when I tried to install a new bracelet. It is difficult to imagine how this happens. Just verifies the lack of QC in this "cottage" industry. I was able to resolve the problem by opening up the space inside the bracelet ends for the spring bars. This can be done with a broach or you could accomplish it by drilling it. I wasn't able to get it perfect but with much less strain on the pins. I certainly would not recommend attempting to alter the case holes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rek001 Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 Ouch, that sucks, the rivetted band would look so great, but I've always thought mating an after-purchase band to the watch case is a total crapshoot, things m just may not line up well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Carl Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 Well, the watch looks just GREAT. Sorry about the springbars etc. I think Jay is doing his best on this- it's just a tiny part of the rep market and I'm just working up my order for him now. Hopefully my old jubilee style bracelet will work but, as you say, it's just a crapshoot. But gambling is part of the fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
predfan2001 Posted August 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 Dang it! I've been trying to get a band on it all afternoon. It just will not work. It doesn't really look like enough room to drill new lug holes. Does anybody know if this is a common problem or just mine. I guess they bent the spring bars with a screwdriver when installing the band. I noticed that one side of the original spring bars is completely flat like it was pryed on really hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 I hate to say it, but that is a common problem and you really only have two choices if you want to fit a bracelet -- enlarge the inside diameter of the hoops inside the end links so there is enough free play and room for the springbar to fit, or enlarge the holes in the lugs. Well, there may be 1 more option -- scout around for another pair of end links that are shorter or shaped so that the springbars fit further in toward the case. You may need to locate several pairs of end links to find a pair that fits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmena Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 Same problem with the two MBW 16610 I had. It took me hours to finally bend correctly new spring bars to install a noob bracelet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 (edited) take a small file and remove some material from where the endlink meets the case. Try about 1mm and go from there. This will suck the whole endlink closer to the case and your springbars will be 1mm closer to the holes. worked for me. Just be careful to keep the edge even or you will have a messy gap between the endlink and case. PS this is comon on a lot or replicas expecially newer ones with tighter and solid endlinks. They need that tension to keep the end link solidly in place?. I took the band off my Rolex day date rep and it toook me about an hour to get it back on. LOnnie Same problem with the two MBW 16610 I had. It took me hours to finally bend correctly new spring bars to install a noob bracelet. Edited August 5, 2007 by L-dizzle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmena Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 take a small file and remove some material from where the endlink meets the case. Try about 1mm and go from there. This will suck the whole endlink closer to the case and your springbars will be 1mm closer to the holes. worked for me. Just be careful to keep the edge even or you will have a messy gap between the endlink and case. PS this is comon on a lot or replicas expecially newer ones with tighter and solid endlinks. They need that tension to keep the end link solidly in place?. I took the band off my Rolex day date rep and it toook me about an hour to get it back on. LOnnie Clever guy Next time I'll try it if bending is not an option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 My new Bond sub with the Explorer dial had the exact same problem. It came with the modern sub bracelet with the detachable end links. I removed it and both springbars were bent at each end. I did exactly what predfan did- I put a Nato strap on it. The other big flaw w/ the Explorer dial is that it does say 200m = 550ft. Why would they print a dial like that? Anyway, I guess it's like everyone says, it's a good place to start modding from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usil Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 Bending the spring bars will weaken them. They make bent springbars for this. Just google and find them. Usil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmg Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 Yup, mine was the same -bent at nearly 45 degrees. As Freddy said there are various depths with end links, if you have extras try them out, the same holds true for gen end links too especially vintage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rek001 Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 Well I got mine on Friday and I'm now trying to size the bracelet and all except one of the link screws is frozen in the band. Nice job jamming those screws into the band. I'm hoping Liquid Wrench works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rek001 Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 Update: BAH! I got 3 screws to budge and moved the fine tuning inside the clasp to the last hole, the bracelet is still a bit big & the clasp is not centered, so..... Shopping Time! I've never bought NATO straps before, can anyone recommend a good source please? I'd like to get the classic Bond black/gray and then mebbe something a bit more exuberant, such as regimental stripes? Thanks much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yt74 Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 I had the same thing on an LV sub I got from TWG a couple of years ago. At the time I thought it was something I had done... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyhole Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 Jules Borel sells bent springbars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmg Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 Rek, Try www.westcoastime.com Update: BAH! I got 3 screws to budge and moved the fine tuning inside the clasp to the last hole, the bracelet is still a bit big & the clasp is not centered, so..... Shopping Time! I've never bought NATO straps before, can anyone recommend a good source please? I'd like to get the classic Bond black/gray and then mebbe something a bit more exuberant, such as regimental stripes? Thanks much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rek001 Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 Thanks, tmg! Will do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGMAN Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 (edited) I had a sub with the same issue...I worked on it for an hour trying to get the bracelet back on. I ended up having a smaller diameter spring bar lying around and the bracelet went right on. I hope that makes sense. Predfan....I'd love to see a picture of the crystal height....maybe a side view???? Edited August 8, 2007 by FROGMAN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
predfan2001 Posted August 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 I had a sub with the same issue...I worked on it for an hour trying to get the bracelet back on. I ended up having a smaller diameter spring bar lying around and the bracelet went right on. I hope that makes sense. Predfan....I'd love to see a picture of the crystal height....maybe a side view???? Ask and ye shall receive: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratedzeus Posted August 10, 2007 Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 Anyone knows how much this bracelets costs...or who managed to install a rivetted bracelet on this sub? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gargoil Posted August 11, 2007 Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 Silix sells an older style riveted bracelet in the "straps" section of his main site!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratedzeus Posted August 11, 2007 Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 Thanks! I am really interested in this watch now... just trying to eliminate the most obvious flaws before ordering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitimany Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 found this bezel in my watch box from a older sub. what do you think ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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