Lug Holes on Panerai Bracelet Don't Line up With Watch Case

[mackdaddy7]

I have a Panerai bracelet that has lug holes that don't properly line up with the holes on my watch case so I can't get the screws through. It's really only about 1/10th mm off because the threads of the screw fit through, but the thicker tube part of the pin does not. I can think of three options that might solve the problem:

Option 1: Drill a bigger hole in the bracelet. I dont have the equipment to do this and neither did the two watchsmiths I took the bracelet to. Anyone have any idea how this might be done or who can do it?

Option 2: File the ends of the bracelet down so the lug holes line up. Again, I don't have the capacity to do this, and the watchsmiths I talked to said it would be messy and would not look right.

Option 3: Find a smaller diameter screw/pin that is only as thick as the threaded screw portion of the pin. I have no idea where to find such a screw. Any ideas.

Or can you think of a better way to get the bracelet to fit? Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[RqThrottle]

#2 would be my choice. Very carefully you can sand down just enough of the bracelet where it meets the case that it fits and then repolish that edge so it looks shiny again. The bracelet seems to be the problem here, so that is the only item I would be "modifying".

Best of luck.

 

[tomtofa]

Had the same problem with a SS/Ti bracelet. It was only a real issue on one end, but both ends were hard to get on.

I removed one the the tiny inner tabs at the real problem end, and the thing finally fit. Still not easy.

I like option #2, now that I have a Dremel. Think I'll give it a try.

 

[mackdaddy7]

Thanks for the advice. I think I may try option 2 since the only thing I have to lose is a bracelet that doesn't fit anyway. I probably only need to take off a very small amount. After filing it with a Dremel, how do you polish it up again to look finished? The outer links are brushed SS so that shouldn't be much of a problem, but the inner link is polished SS.

 

[tomtofa]

Well, if you have a Dremel, polishing the shiny part might actually be easier. Rouge and a felt buffing wheel. Then a Scotchbrite green pad by hand for the brushed part.

 

[Klink]

maybe use lower speed to polish..
?

K

 

[tomtofa]

Yeah, that can be an issue - depends on the Dremel. Some have lower speeds.

But it is easy to carve instead of polish if one isn't careful (or even when one is, sometimes) . . .

A little off topic - Dremels are irritating. Bad documentation, and the kits always lack the essential part, which is available in another kit along with many things you already have.

I have a kit with about 47,000 bits and pieces (OK, maybe 150); it didn't include the collett to attach 90% of them.

 

[Wyvern]

The Dremel Accessory Kits are the worst. 80% of it is crap I will never use, and the stuff I need is in 1x quantites usually.

 

[Klink]

This is a mechanical thing,
right?

Concerned people what don't know
like me
can get in trubble
with tribbles!

Laff is Good!
Klink

 

[Sir-Lancelot]

Don't grind or sand them.

Just bend them down slightly, the screw will eventually go through.
sanding or grinding would make the tabs weak, and the watch with SS bracelet is going to be heavy.

I had this problem and had the same thoughts you did. I even wanted to return it to the seller.
I bent the tabs on the end down slightly and it WORKED.

Yes,
its easy, and
yes, i felt dumb.

 

[geopatr69]

Don't grind or sand them.

Just bend them down slightly, the screw will eventually go through.
sanding or grinding would make the tabs weak, and the watch with SS bracelet is going to be heavy.

I had this problem and had the same thoughts you did. I even wanted to return it to the seller.
I bent the tabs on the end down slightly and it WORKED.

Yes,
its easy, and
yes, i felt dumb.

Same with me. Couldn't get it to fit on my 196. Played with the tabs and bent them up and now I have a beautiful 196 Daylight on a bracelet 8) 8)

 

[marinamm20]

same here, just bend ever so gently - and the bracelet will fit your pam...

 

[psymetry]

The last few posts are right. Just yesterday I had to do this and bent the lugs down about .5 mm lower and the strap fits perfectly. Just get some flat pliers and do it gently...only have to bend them very slightly.

It took like 10 seconds to do...such an easy fix you will kick yourself for worrying about drilling etc, but just be careful...bend too far and they can snap.

Here is a post with pics about it to help -

http://replica-watch.info/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4123