BP Fifty Fathoms spring/screw bar nightmare

[jj69]

Does anyone have a good source for replacement "screw bars" for the BPFF?!?!

I have one of the original Fifty Fathoms "ultimate" reps, which I believe is by the Noob factory. It was the first factory to make a high end version with sapphire bezel insert. From Day One, I couldn't wear it because the sailcloth strap was so short that it could only fit a child's wrist. I eventually found a Bonetto rubber strap and a large kit of drivers at Harbor Freight that at least allowed me to swap the strap and wear the watch for a while. More recently, I wanted to try another strap, and promptly broke one of the original screw bars in the process. Finding a replacement has been a nightmare ever since.

The first set I got was from Topwatchparts ($34). They have a much smaller hex pattern than the originals. They came with their own allen keys, and they look really weird since the hole is so small. The allen keys eventually became stripped, as did the screws, so they're useless now anyway.

I recently got another set off Aliexpress ($8). They look okay, but the heads on each end are too large to fit inside the lugs of the Noob watch! They must have been made to fit ZF versions or some other rep. So totally useless.

Does anyone know of any replacements that look decent and actually fit?!??!

 

[Raddave]

I recently got another set off Aliexpress ($8). They look okay, but the heads on each end are too large to fit inside the lugs of the Noob watch! They must have been made to fit ZF versions or some other rep. So totally useless.

thats an easy fix , have them turned down

 

[jj69]

thats an easy fix , have them turned down

By whom? That's the problem!

 

[Raddave]

By whom? That's the problem!

where are you ?

 

[Raddave]

im sure any jeweler could do it actually

 

[jj69]

I'm about an hour from Boston. I will try the local watch guy. I'm THIS close to taking a hammer to the watch so I just don't have to deal with it anymore!

 

[Raddave]

youll get it fixed , keep us posted !

 

[TESLA760]

I went through this back when they were originally released
What a PITA

 

[shyreplover]

By whom? That's the problem!

attach it to a dremel and let it spin on sand paper?
or buy even more screw to test it out, like this ebay seller who sold 40 already.

Watch Screw Tube for Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 45MM Automatic Man Watch Band Strap | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Watch Screw Tube for Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 45MM Automatic Man Watch Band Strap at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Rx4Time]

What I would recommend is get a pair of Seiko fat spring bars and use those. Yes you'll have holes on the sides of the lugs similar to how the old rolexes had, but you will eliminate all of your headaches and aggravations with those screw bars. This is the route I used with mine. . The other option which I've read about but not tried personally is you can use the screw bars from an AP ROO. The last option which is also the most expensive would be to buy a set of genuine screw bars. I did this for a previous 50 fathoms and I think they cost me about $80 at the time. If you want to know about the AP screw bar route let me know and I can try it on mine and post some pictures of how it looks for you.

 

[ward1991]

What I would recommend is get a pair of Seiko fat spring bars and use those. Yes you'll have holes on the sides of the lugs similar to how the old rolexes had, but you will eliminate all of your headaches and aggravations with those screw bars. This is the route I used with mine. . The other option which I've read about but not tried personally is you can use the screw bars from an AP ROO. The last option which is also the most expensive would be to buy a set of genuine screw bars. I did this for a previous 50 fathoms and I think they cost me about $80 at the time. If you want to know about the AP screw bar route let me know and I can try it on mine and post some pictures of how it looks for you.

+1 for this, those things go directly into the parts drawer on a new FF. learn to live with the spring bars on there. Plus it makes changing straps a breeze! I even do this with PAMs, they have these nifty faux screw spring bars, one end is slotted to look like OEM bars!

 

[Rx4Time]

+1 for this, those things go directly into the parts drawer on a new FF. learn to live with the spring bars on there. Plus it makes changing straps a breeze! I even do this with PAMs, they have these nifty faux screw spring bars, one end is slotted to look like OEM bars!

Yep. Panatime spring bars. I use them on a majority of my Panerai, especially the ones I change straps on frequently.

 

[thegolfman]

I’ve seen several listings at the auction site for these bars…I do not think they were particularly pricey, but can’t recall. Worth a search there.

 

[joshhb8282]

Does anyone have a good source for replacement "screw bars" for the BPFF?!?!

I have one of the original Fifty Fathoms "ultimate" reps, which I believe is by the Noob factory. It was the first factory to make a high end version with sapphire bezel insert. From Day One, I couldn't wear it because the sailcloth strap was so short that it could only fit a child's wrist. I eventually found a Bonetto rubber strap and a large kit of drivers at Harbor Freight that at least allowed me to swap the strap and wear the watch for a while. More recently, I wanted to try another strap, and promptly broke one of the original screw bars in the process. Finding a replacement has been a nightmare ever since.

The first set I got was from Topwatchparts ($34). They have a much smaller hex pattern than the originals. They came with their own allen keys, and they look really weird since the hole is so small. The allen keys eventually became stripped, as did the screws, so they're useless now anyway.

I recently got another set off Aliexpress ($8). They look okay, but the heads on each end are too large to fit inside the lugs of the Noob watch! They must have been made to fit ZF versions or some other rep. So totally useless.

Does anyone know of any replacements that look decent and actually fit?!??!

Not sure if you found a solution but recently picked up a ZF FF and these work perfectly - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D89X9NHX?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 

[jj69]

Not sure if you found a solution but recently picked up a ZF FF and these work perfectly - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D89X9NHX?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Thanks for the head's up. My watch is from Noob, so I doubt these will work. Since it's Amazon, however, it could be worth a try. At least I can return them if they don't work out...

 

[joshhb8282]

Thanks for the head's up. My watch is from Noob, so I doubt these will work. Since it's Amazon, however, it could be worth a try. At least I can return them if they don't work out...

I actually bought those, and some heavy duty 23MM spring bars and some straps from Artem Straps, but solutions work fine and loving this strap monster

 

[joshhb8282]