Putting an ARF bracelet on a Gen Sub - need help

[Dave O]

I had read where an ARF sub bracelet would fit on a gen sub - so I ordered one to try save the wear and tear on my gen bracelet. The ARF bracelet is awesome, great clasp and looks and feels very gen like. But now to my problem. I can't get the spring bars to engage in the spring bar holes on the lugs of the watch case. It seems as if I can’t push the SEL far enough towards the watch case resulting in the spring bars not engaging in the case holes. That being said, the SEL appears to be flush with the case and lugs and looks like a very nice tight fit all the way around. Holding my gen bracelet side by side with the ARF it appears as if the SEL’s on the ARF are just slightly longer than the gen. I think I might have three options:

1. Grind down the curvature of the SEL’s just a bit so the SEL’s move closer to the watch case and subsequently the spring bar holes in the SEL end up closer to the case.
2. Install smaller diameter spring bars.
3. Drill out the spring bar holes in the SEL.

I’m thing option #1 would be best as if I do option #2 or 3 the SEL might move around on the watch case. Has anyone else run into this issue? If so, how did they correct it?

 

[Rubberman]

Initial batch of Noob's 4130 Daytona have one of their spring bar tip "bent" because the it just don't align with the hole on the lug.
you may want to try this.​​​ before you try any inreversible mod like option #1 & #3.
​​​​​​Slot the spring bar into end link, leave only the top outside of the hole, up to and use a pin vase or plier to slightly bent the tip. This will prevent accident benting the bar itself.
i try to find my old photo but I think I need more time.. about a year and half ago since.
Good luck

 

[Dave O]

Initial batch of Noob's 4130 Daytona have one of their spring bar tip "bent" because the it just don't align with the hole on the lug.
you may want to try this.​​​ before you try any inreversible mod like option #1 & #3.
​​​​​​Slot the spring bar into end link, leave only the top outside of the hole, up to and use a pin vase or plier to slightly bent the tip. This will prevent accident benting the bar itself.
i try to find my old photo but I think I need more time.. about a year and half ago since.
Good luck

Thanks for the tip. I only have my gen spring bars and I don't want to bend them. Is there a particular spring bar that you or someone might recommend as a replacement that I could then try this with?

 

[Rubberman]

I change all my bars on my Rollie to the one from Everestband. They're very very high quality and gen spec.

https://www.everestbands.com/collections/accessories/products/rolex-style-2-0mm-spring-bars

https://www.everestbands.com/collec...ht-master-and-datejust-spring-bar-1-8mm-thick

There are couple more sizes available depending on the watch/bracelet.

Good luck mate, cheers.

 

[Rubberman]

Ah, there are ofcos plenty of cheaper one available everywhere, less than a buck for some. But you mentioned is to use it for your Gen, so I reckon a good one is more suitable for you.

 

[Dave O]

I change all my bars on my Rollie to the one from Everestband. They're very very high quality and gen spec.

https://www.everestbands.com/collections/accessories/products/rolex-style-2-0mm-spring-bars

https://www.everestbands.com/collec...ht-master-and-datejust-spring-bar-1-8mm-thick

There are couple more sizes available depending on the watch/bracelet.

Good luck mate, cheers.

Thanks!

 

[Dave O]

I think I will also order some cheap 1.8mm spring bars as well just to see if I can get them to engage into the lugs. If they do, and the SEL's do not move around, I may then order some better quality Everest bars.

 

[Shany]

OMG, use your gen bracelet!!!

you are serious about this ? If you loose your watch because of cheap springbars or an rep bracelet that would be a holocaust


BTW: you can easy rebrush your gen bracelet if its totaly done

 

[Dave O]

OMG, use your gen bracelet!!!

you are serious about this ? If you loose your watch because of cheap springbars or an rep bracelet that would be a holocaust


BTW: you can easy rebrush your gen bracelet if its totaly done

I have a bluesy with a two tone bracelet. Besides the gold getting scratched to hell from everyday use (I wear it all the time) the two tone bracelet can be a bit "flashy". I put a Rubber B strap on it and it looks great with it. But I also wanted to see what an all stainless bracelet would look like with the two tone watch face.

As I mentioned, the cheap spring bars are just to see if it works. If it does, I would go with Everest.

 

[YellowFin]

OMG, use your gen bracelet!!!

you are serious about this ? If you loose your watch because of cheap springbars or an rep bracelet that would be a holocaust


BTW: you can easy rebrush your gen bracelet if its totaly done

Not sure if comparing a broken watch to a genocide with 6 million victims is a great idea, but the general question is legit. Why not use the gen bracelet? When the watch is serviced every five years, the bracelet will anyway get brushed and polished.

 

[Dave O]

Guys, I appreciate your comments, but it's not helping me with my original problem. The gen two tone bracelets are scratch magnets (especially the clasp). Since this is my everyday watch it started looking pretty bad after just a few months of ownership. And the gold itself is very soft, and I have some very deep scratches on the clasp that you would have to take off a lot of gold to get them out. I used a Cape Cod cloth to remove the fine surface scratches and it looks VERY good now and I would like to keep it that way for those "night on the town" times when I want a little more flash.

But I also want to be able to have different looks for my watch. The gen bracelet for a night on the town. The Rubber B for a more sporty look and the stainless for a sporty look but a little more bling than the Rubber B. I can change the bracelet in a matter of minutes so that's not an issue.

So back to my issue at hand. Any more ideas on how to get the spring bars to engage with the ARF bracelet?

 

[Spitfire63]

Id go with option 1 file a bit off the sels, taking a little bit at a time until they fit

i wouldn't risk bent springbars the damage or possible loss of the watch isn't worth it

 

[Vvvlllooo]

Sell the bracelet and buy another one. It may fit

 

[KJ2020]

I had read where an ARF sub bracelet would fit on a gen sub - so I ordered one to try save the wear and tear on my gen bracelet. The ARF bracelet is awesome, great clasp and looks and feels very gen like. But now to my problem. I can't get the spring bars to engage in the spring bar holes on the lugs of the watch case. It seems as if I can’t push the SEL far enough towards the watch case resulting in the spring bars not engaging in the case holes. That being said, the SEL appears to be flush with the case and lugs and looks like a very nice tight fit all the way around. Holding my gen bracelet side by side with the ARF it appears as if the SEL’s on the ARF are just slightly longer than the gen. I think I might have three options:

1. Grind down the curvature of the SEL’s just a bit so the SEL’s move closer to the watch case and subsequently the spring bar holes in the SEL end up closer to the case.
2. Install smaller diameter spring bars.
3. Drill out the spring bar holes in the SEL.

I’m thing option #1 would be best as if I do option #2 or 3 the SEL might move around on the watch case. Has anyone else run into this issue? If so, how did they correct it?

Option 4 - Buy some good quality aftermarket springbars the same size as your gen springbar. Buy several extras. Put the aftermarket springbar in a pin vice (or similar restraining tool) and gently bend the springbar tips to create about a 10 -15° angle off from the axis of the springbar. Make sure the tip still functions normally to spring in and out. Put them in the SEL and install the bracelet. Use a strong jeweler's screwdriver to guide the tips into the lug detents through the SEL cutout holes. I have 4 or 5 reps that I've done this on and have not had any issues with them.

Regarding your gen bracelet, I suggest putting some protective film on the clasp and bottom two links either side. I hate scratches, and these have served me well. I just cut out leftover cell phone film into squares but you can buy ready made kits to do the whole watch.

 

[Dave O]

Option 4 - Buy some good quality aftermarket springbars the same size as your gen springbar. Buy several extras. Put the aftermarket springbar in a pin vice (or similar restraining tool) and gently bend the springbar tips to create about a 10 -15° angle off from the axis of the springbar. Make sure the tip still functions normally to spring in and out. Put them in the SEL and install the bracelet. Use a strong jeweler's screwdriver to guide the tips into the lug detents through the SEL cutout holes. I have 4 or 5 reps that I've done this on and have not had any issues with them.

Regarding your gen bracelet, I suggest putting some protective film on the clasp and bottom two links either side. I hate scratches, and these have served me well. I just cut out leftover cell phone film into squares but you can buy ready made kits to do the whole watch.

Thanks for the recommendation. It looks like you and Rubberman are recommending the same option. I have some 1.8mm and 2.0mm spring bars on the way and I'll give it a try.

And thanks for the info about the protective film. I'll look into it.

 

[Carbon Summit]

I went through this on my 216570. Worried about scratching the bracelet.

what I did was left the Rolex SEL and the first three links on each side in place then just replaced whatever links and clasp with the replica.

My logic was it is the clasp that takes the brunt of the scratches, and maybe the first few links. That way you don't have to do any "re-engineering" and everything will work just fine. Plus you won't have the concern of the SEL coming loose.


​​​​​ My Explorer to was my first gen watch of any value and like a first child I was worried all the time. Which brought me to the point of messing with different ideas on the bracelet like you're thinking.

Now I've got a few kids in my watch box and I don't really worry as much, tell him to get up and stop crying when they get bumped against my desk or something. Weird analogy but you get my point.

But In fairness I have all stainless steel bands and the other thing that helped was learning that a Scotch-Brite pad will do wonders to clean up those desk diving marks. I have no experience with gold.

 

[Carbon Summit]

Left not laughed.
Voice text...

 

[Carbon Summit]

And other mistakes... Can we edit from our phones?


Yes we can, push the little plus sign and edit is one of the options. Just sharing if someone else doesn't know and doesn't want to look at illiterate because of voice text mistakes

 

[Carbon Summit]

I have a bluesy with a two tone bracelet. Besides the gold getting scratched to hell from everyday use (I wear it all the time) the two tone bracelet can be a bit "flashy". I put a Rubber B strap on it and it looks great with it. But I also wanted to see what an all stainless bracelet would look like with the two tone watch face.

As I mentioned, the cheap spring bars are just to see if it works. If it does, I would go with Everest.

Speaking of Rubber B, here is my first world country problem of the day.

Just got my Rubber B traps in the mail today and I'm between holes. I could lose a good 20 pounds andq be a lot happier with myself. That's about the only hope I have of this strap working for me.

 

[Dave O]

Speaking of Rubber B, here is my first world country problem of the day.

Just got my Rubber B traps in the mail today and I'm between holes. I could lose a good 20 pounds andq be a lot happier with myself. That's about the only hope I have of this strap working for me.

Mine is similar, in that I wish the holes were closer together. I like wearing my band loosely, so that during the heat of the day the band doesn't get too tight on my wrist. So it works for me.