PSA - Don't use the wrong lug pin size

[deepcdvr]

So I bought a Bulova Moon watch (reissue) from someone a couple of months ago and wore it a few times on the bracelet then got bored with it - pretty much my MO.

A few days ago I decided to take the bracelet off try it on the Velcro strap they sent and could not, for the life of me, get the damn thing off. I realized that the seller had put in 22mm pins on 20mm lugs. I fought with it for two hours and then took it to my watch guy. He tried as well - with me standing behind him - for about an hour. The damn thing just WOULD NOT come off.

We decided to use a tiny drill bit he had to try to drill, effectively break, one side of a pin. I know, stupid move, but by then we were both pretty f'n frustrated.

Long story short, he did 'cut' the lug pin, but the piece in the watch is now sheared off, effectively completely blocking the hole. Additionally, I believe the heat from the drill bit basically melted the sheared off piece in the hole.

We got the bracelet off and reinstalled it with 20mm lug pins and it seems, after a lot of pulling, that it isn't going anywhere, but who knows...

He insisted he pay me 100 bucks for the 'work'. I felt bad, but took the money as he would not take no for an answer..

The watch otherwise is in great shape, but do you guys think it's worth listing this thing for 100 bucks or so or just stare at it in my watch box to remind me never to put in the wrong size lugpins?

[HapaHapa]

I doubt you got the tip hot enough to weld it into the hole. Probably just lodged there. If you plan to keep it as a reminder, I’d say get some metal epoxy (Belzona 1111) or JB Weld from hardware, Walmart etc., I’d try to “glue” a piece of wire to the piece of lug-tip lodged in the lug hole and pull it out. Use a tiny drop of the adhesive. Might work, might not. Worth a try either way.

[Ryeguy]

Ugh. Impressed your guy was able to get the dremel into the end link hole to mill out the pin.

I’ve got to think those pin tips were fully compressed just to squeeze a 22 pin between the 20mm lugs.

I have a hard time replacing bracelet endlinks with approximately sized pins and this guy gets plus 2’s in there? I suck!

[deepcdvr]

^^ lol

//

Eric - I might try that if I can get the bracelet off again - thanks

[toxicavenger]

That sucks, and that will also piss you off.

[Captdave]

I think you should give it to me and relieve yourself of that traumatic memory. Who knows I might even be able to get it right


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[bedlam]

Bracelets are the work of the devil. My case rests.

[Steve O.]

Bracelets are the work of the devil. My case rests.

You've got that right. Removing and reinstalling bracelets makes me nervous. Of course, I'm so OCD about lug scratches, I tape off every lug before even installing a new strap.

[Heuerville]

A long shot, but you could try dabbing a little bit of penetrating oil on it, then putting it in the freezer. This might contract the metal enough to dig it out? Or a freezing spray if you don't fancy putting the entire watch in the freezer.

[HapaHapa]

A long shot, but you could try dabbing a little bit of penetrating oil on it, then putting it in the freezer. This might contract the metal enough to dig it out? Or a freezing spray if you don't fancy putting the entire watch in the freezer.

Compressed air cans (for computer keyboard etc) get pretty cold. Cheap first try.

[deepcdvr]

Good suggestions gents!

I’ll probably just give it away - maybe some sort of raffle?

[Selym]

I'm still not clear on what happened. I know, I'm a little dense.

1. Previous owner attached bracelet with spring bars that are too long
2. Impossible to remove bracelet using convention means, so watchmaker drilled through the springs bar ends (both spring bars, or just one?)
3. End of severed spring bar(s) stuck in blind hole in lug
4. Bracelet reinstalled with correctly-sized spring bars

How was it possible to re-install with the lug holes blocked by what remained of the severed spring bar?

[deepcdvr]

Exactly - except he only drilled through one side

No idea how the bracelet is staying on with one piece of pin obstructing a hole, but I just tried to pull it apart; it does not budge. ??

[Heuerville]

You could carefully superglue a cocktail stick to the fragment and try to pull it out.. maybe combined with the freezing spray?
Or go balls deep. and have the lugs drilled!

Or.. go postal, and superglue the watch to your wrist, and see how long it stays put.
We could have a DWC sweepstake on how long it lasts.. winner gets the watch + skin fragments. You get your money back.
Daily photo updates will be required.

[deepcdvr]

^^ ha - I’m game, although I suspect the watch would outlive me

Surprisingly nice kit, actually. Definitely worth the bang for the buck

[watchingyou]

I accidentally tried to to put a 23mm spring bar in 22mm lugs and it wouldn't fit; I have no idea how this guy got 22's into a 20 lug width. Do you think it was really a 22 spring bar or a 20 with no flanges which would be next to impossible to get out without drilled lugs?

[Heuerville]

I accidentally tried to to put a 23mm spring bar in 22mm lugs and it wouldn't fit; I have no idea how this guy got 22's into a 20 lug width. Do you think it was really a 22 spring bar or a 20 with no flanges which would be next to impossible to get out without drilled lugs?

I agree with this.

[CGSshorty]

I got a cheap SKX on eBay that had 24mm bars wedged in there.
It turned out to be a very expensive cheap Seiko.

[deepcdvr]

Hmmm - maybe? You’re probably right, but after three hours combined trying to remove that puppy, the pins felt like they were 40mm long

I can build a bomb and If i would have had the materials on hand that day, I may have wasted a bid of demo on that puppy lol

[hoppyjr]

Definitely worth the bang for the buck

^ That sentence troubles me.

Why would you resort to prostitution? If it were a Rolex then bang away, but this was just a Bulova!

[deepcdvr]

^^ True, but I was in the Navy for thirty years - I'm an equal opportunity 'worker'

[CarloDWC]

Is this the large Bulova Moon Chronograph? The reason the bracelet stays on with one pin is that the end links fit snugly without wiggle room so all it needs is one pin to stay on. This is obviously not a secure set up but secure enough to keep the link in place under little pulling.

Sorry to hear about that Paul, it sucks that such cheap thing like a springbar can cause so much trouble.

[deepcdvr]

apptreciate it - no drama though..