Help me remove this bracelet please!
I think on the whole I prefer a bracelet to a strap. But that doesn't mean I'm not open to trying different things.
I got a bunch of new straps the other day and I fancy trying this padded yellow leather on my Longines Master Collection.Trouble is, I can't get the bracelet off!
Now, this Master Collection is a thick boy at 16mm which means the bracelet end link is also quite thick. This in turn means the spring bar is buried deep in the end link. (Apologies for the shoddy pics!)
I have a selection of basic spring bar tools (almost more of them than I have watches actually) and whilst the tool tip fits down that access hole to the spring bar, I can't seem to get it to do anything. I certainly can't operate two spring bar tools simultaneously whilst also holding the watch in place and doing all this without causing any damage.
So then, can anyone give some me a recommendation on what tool I need to achieve this please? I've looked up spring bar tools (the tweezer looking ones) and they seem to range from 20 -200, whilst looking like they do the exact samed thing.
Many thanks in advance!
Also, go check out my post from the other day about the Munich Watch Fair. I think it got lost in the mix and nobody saw it!
Brit in Germany. I love GMT watches and i'm a big fan of Longines.
Buy one of these… holds the case.
Easy peasy…
Sometimes you have to really muscle it out or sometimes you have to get a slightly narrower spring bar tool as there's not enough room for the tool to actually manipulate the spring bar.
I would go with your example #2. I use these and it really helps with removing end links. The one you found is wildly expensive. It's a basic tool, I don't think the difference between a $145 tool and a $20 tool will be noticeable.
I have an Oyster Perpetual that continually gives me unbelievable grief in trying to remove its bracelet. I have no problem with any other watch & it drives me crazy.
Earlier today I tried to remove it but for the first time I put the watch into this;
I removed the bracelet at the first attempt. I can't believe I hadn't tried it before. I hope you manage to solve your difficulty 👍
Thanks for the comments folks! Looks like I need to go shopping!
I've found a load of movement holders, but what do you have there @tiffer?
Try this;
Put tape on the front of the lugs.
Turn watch over facing down to access spring bars
Use your preferred spring bar tool to compress
Push the end link down, away from you(towards the table)
Repeat on other side of the spring bar
Sounds crazy, but that may be the way it wants to go
NO NO NO, this will not work. @timepiece.pete Longines is known to have super tricky bracelets making it hard to change them. I’ve had this issue with my hydroconquest, and my dolce vita. It’s overall APITA I’ve bought this tool thinking I’d have some luck and it’s honestly even harder to use.
In all fairness I posted about this some weeks ago and I said it could be user error. I’ll certainly try this method in the future.
Thank you all for the comments folks. I think i'm going to upgrade my tool (ooh err) and try again.
Failing that, it could be an easy excuse to go into my AD, get them to do it and remind them I want an Air King...