The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Can spring bars break? I'm always worried that the spring bar breaks and the watch falls right off my wrist. Is this possible? Has this happened to anyone?

Like anything, spring bars certainly can break but it is generally pretty rare. Unless they are in bad condition for some reason (i.e. very old and corroded) or unless there is a manufacturing defect (unlikely as they are not exactly complicated) they they should be absolutely fine. The only way one is likely to go is if you catch the watch on something and pull with a considerable amount for force. However, even then (and especially if your watch is on a bracelet) your wrist/hand is likely to suffer some damage before the spring bar breaks. For example you may have come across stories sometimes known as "gloving"? These are stories of fighter pilots ejecting from cockpits and catching the edge of the canopy with their watch, and the bracelet has essentially stripped the flesh from their hand! Considering that I knew of a guy who was in the Navy who stripped his finger of its flesh when his wedding ring caught on a hatch, I can well imagine these "gloving" stories to be true.

So anyway, yes springs bars can fail, but it's pretty damn rare.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

They are true, there has been some footballers also jumping the fence after scoring, getting a ring stuck and then falling down without their finger.

However, if you're unlucky you don't need that much force to break them. A couple of years ago I rode a quad in the woods, tried to pass between two trees but the handlebars got stuck... Needless to say the quad made a full stop and I somehow managed to stay on the quad, but my watch continued some 20 meters just because one of the springbars broke.

But I'd guess as long as you don't to that maneuvre you'll be fine.

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Breitling spring bars seem pretty strong considering that spring bars in general are usually the weakest part of the bracelet. A few years ago I was throwing a football with some friends in the back yard , forgetting my Chronomat Evo was on. I fell breaking the fall with my hands. I remember this clearly because the fall put a huge strain on the bracelet when my wrist contracted. It left a big red mark on both sides of my wrist for days. The watch was fine and when I check the spring bars, they were not even bent! Testament to a great bracelet!

Anyway, I usually go through my AD and order extra spring bars to have on hand just in case.

Steve

If you are doing something that will bend or break the spring bars while your watch is on......you can kiss your hand/skin goodbye!!!!

Not necessarily - just look at my earlier post.

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