Are two-piece straps obsolete?
I just had my FOURTH spring bar failure of the year across two watches. I *try* not to put every single watch I own on a NATO or a perlon, and now I'm asking myself why. And why do people make "quick-release" straps when the ALREADY release quickly, AND unexpectedly. I can't seem to fold my arms for too long or put on a jacket without potentially losing a watch.
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ScoldedMilk
Just a person who likes watches
Chicago
Member since
Last active: 2 days ago
6.25” / 15.88 cm
Here's an interesting article that may shed some light on your springbar issues.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/spring-bars-engineers-perspective-don-russell-frin-frgs-frsa
BTW- I've been wearing wristwatches for ~50 very active years and have never broken a springbar.
I've had zero spring bar failures this year and 2 the entire recollection of my 40+ years of watch wearing history.
I'd even wager the majority of watch enthusiasts hit closer to my experience than yours.
So, while 2-piece straps may be obsolete for you, they are not for the rest of the world.
The question I'd have to ask next is: What watches & what strap combos seem to be causing all the issues for you? Reason being:
1) For such a simple mechanism, all spring bars are not created equal. As silly as it may sound. Some are pretty flimsy & certain strap brands may be skimping on using better quality ones.
2) Some watches, like my SPB147, have larger holes in the lugs because its meant to fit a "fat" spring bar. Putting a regular one in it's place has proved to be an issue for me as well.
I'd invest in some quality spring bars with good high-tension springs. They're a few dollars per spring bar, but worth it.
Alternatively, shoulderless spring bars hardly fail as there is next to no play in the bar once installed. Seiko uses these a lot. For these, you either need drilled lugs, or use a quick-release strap with the bolt action style spring bar.
I've only ever had cheap spring bars fail.
A lot, I'd guess most, of the ISO 6425 rated watches pass their strap failure tests with regular sized springbars and two piece straps. There are safer ways to mount a watch to your wrist, but with proper straps, well made bars, and precisely cut lugs, I don't see how folding arms or putting on jackets is a threat at all. You could be really unlucky, but I'd get some highly recommended bars and see if you still have issues. Could be interesting to examine the springbars you have in other watches to see if they show signs of damage. I know some cheap springbars aren't even steel.
The question I'd have to ask next is: What watches & what strap combos seem to be causing all the issues for you? Reason being:
1) For such a simple mechanism, all spring bars are not created equal. As silly as it may sound. Some are pretty flimsy & certain strap brands may be skimping on using better quality ones.
2) Some watches, like my SPB147, have larger holes in the lugs because its meant to fit a "fat" spring bar. Putting a regular one in it's place has proved to be an issue for me as well.
Agree here.
Would like more color on the watch/strap combos.
You're either doing something wrong or just seriously unlucky. Had maybe two fail in 40+ years...
Try higher quality springbars & make sure they're the right size (not just length but hole diameter too)
Out of interest, do you use "proper" mil-spec sewn in buckle NATO's?
Good luck 🍀 hope you find a solution mate, must be very frustrating!
In my experience natos seem to cause the problem they set out to solve. So in addition to them being bulkier, when I have attempted to wear them they have caused spring bar failures. Never happened on a two piece strap or bracelet in my lifetime. As such, I have slowly been giving away all my natos, or tossing them. They are the second worst thing to happen to straps after the pin and collar.
Never had a spring bar fail, and never had a quick release come off other than when I detached it. I'm moving away from NATOs and the like, on the whole I think they cheapen the watch.