Can the lugs be drilled additionally?

Haven’t thought to try something like that yet but I would imagine you will need really proper tools and a good amount of know how not to botch it up. 😅

I feel like you might crack the lug tips due to them not being designed to be drilled. I would imagine they drill 1st, then shave/mill it down to fit the design aesthetic.

Totally assuming here, lol.

Assuming there is no plating or other treatment, and that one has the right tooling and machinery, of course it can be done. Locating and not breaking a drill are easier said than done. Assuming a stainless case, drill material selection may be important as you don't want to impart particles of corrosion-nonresistant steel.

It would obviously be much better to finish the surface afterward, but it's possible to not muck up the original finish. Clamping the case will require some non-marring clamp. And no, I certainly haven't done this. I don't even know where you'd get such small drills and chucks.

Ok, thanks for the replies so far, so I assume that it's not a common thing to do and therefore a stupid idea. 😁

I have a hand (archimedes principle) drill and small enough bits in my modellers tool kit. They snap easily mind, if you don’t keep straight and still, and very much doubt the ones I have could go through steel. But they are cheap and easy to come by, or even make (pin vise with a spiral groove etc basically) yourself. I could certainly drill the lugs on a plastic watch — or bio ceramic lol — with no problem. How straight it would be… well, that’s where luck comes in. Bits are sometimes hard to source though at that size too.

If they can drill lugs at the factory, there’s no reason it can’t be done once it leaves the factory. Not something I would do personally, but it can absolutely be done.

This is something I’ve thought a lot about and wanted to do to several of my watches. It’s a job for a professional machinist or jeweler. It is doable but I can’t imagine it being cheap. The hardest part is locating the center of the hole and getting it all perfectly squared. If you are serious about it I would contact an independent watch maker like RGM. They build watches entirely in house and would likely have the proper tools. If you go further with this please post an update here.

This might help:

https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/how-to-drill-watch-lugs.5192849/

It seems possible to get decent results but YMMV.

Honestly I think it’s a brilliant idea as I think all watches should have drilled lugs, even a Calatrava (which is a moot point as I’d never be able to afford one).

I think the old retired guy from Canada could do it (sorry your name escapes me at the moment).

You should try it with a cheaper watch.

This guy can. When you get your watch back it will smell like beef AND bacon

For what purpose?

certainly not a stupid question.

more a design feature lacking on many supposedly sports/tool/utility (whatever) watches for i am guessing either cost or aesthetic reasons.

Yeah, exactly. I had drilled lugs on my Seiko 5 and I used them a lot. Now I want to buy an Alpinist and I feel like this is a weird disadvantage to have on a watch four times more expensive.

I absolutely love to change straps and not all of them have quick release spring bars. Especially my two amazing Stowa straps, their springbars come with really stiff springs, which feels nice, feels like they can hold some weight, but at the same time it's almost impossible to get them out without a drilled lug.

Thank you very much, I may actually give it a try, right now I'm just thinking way ahead. I don't even have the watch yet, but I'm already thinking about solutions to problems which may or may not arise, you know, your typical evening of an absolutely normally functioning human in 21st century. Nothing to see here.

Stainless steel is very hard to drill, you’ll need cobalt drill bits and cutting oil and proceed at slow speeds. The correct angle needs to be achieved to start drilling ,so it doesn’t slip away on you because of the case angle and shape. A jig would have to be made.. If the drill bit snaps in the semi started hole you may never take it out.

I won’t attempt it.

Wouldn't attempt it unless you have a Pilar drill and a pair of big boy pants 😁 and don't forget to cover the case in masking tape to prevent scratches 👍

Yeah, I’m only looking to buy quick change. I was getting them from Strapsco, but they’re not made well, the threading is always coming loose.

I recently got some FKM straps from ZuluDiver and sailcloth from Finstraps. The Finstraps took forever, May not for you.

I’d just learn how to use a tool my friend

I had that done some time ago by my local watchmaker, was quick and cheap. Ask yours.

I would guess the easiest way to do it would be to drill the lugs from the inside, that way the holes would line up and wouldn't slip, but the only way I can think to do this would be with a dentist drill or something similar.