The Breitling Watch Source Forums

As I said, I'm not sure on the size off the top of my head. If no one else answers I'll try to remember to measure one on the weekend. You don't need a relationship with an AD to get them - my relationship means that they just give them to me, but I'm sure that any AD would sell you some for a few bucks.[/quote]

No worries. I appreciate the help as always. I'm just afraid if I go to a Le Tourneau around here that they will try to scalp me and charge 10$ a pin or whatever ridiculous price they ask.

so I went to le tourneau and they said they don't sell the spring pin for my watch. They said that it was already a "heavy duty" one and that I would not need any others. what a strange answer. i guess they just didnt have any in stock? hmm.

chaging this bracelet is harder than it looks. i can't seem to get one side off successfully from one end. maybe i'm not applying enough pressure. I just dont want to break anything. doh.

roff,

since you have the mark vi, that first "link" that the springbar is inserted through, is it supposed to move? mine is stuck. it will not even budge. maybe thats why it's hard to remove the bracelet. theres hardly any play.

You move the spring bar using the shoulder and then use a finger to push the bracelet up from underneath (which is actually the top of the bracelet) - all you want to do is stop the springbar from going back into the hole when you let it go.

Keep the pressure on the bracelet and compress the springbar from the other side and the bracelt should pop out from the pressure that you are applying with your finger.

see attached file. the yellow circles denote the links that dont move, or are really hard to move. and the red is the direction i should push?

I don't see any red, but you want the bracelet to come off the watch on the caseback side so you need to press the top of the bracelet towards that direction. In sequence:

1) Insert the fork of the springbar tool over the springbar between the lug and the shoulder
2) Compress the spring bar (move the shoulder towards the middle)
3) Apply pressure on the top of the bracelet (which will be on the bottom as the watch is upside down) on the same side as you are compressing the springbar
4) Let the pressure off the springbar and remove the tool - if you have done it right the spring bar will now be resting against the lug and not go back into the hole - KEEP APPLYING PRESSURE ON THE BRACELET, otherwise the spring bar will go back in
5) Insert the springbar tool on the other side between lug and shoulder
6) Compress the springbar on that side and add pressure to that side of the bracelet from the top (do not ease off on the other side)

The bracelet should pop out - it needs to come out fairly straight because it's a tight fit and there is a ridge that the baracelet insserts into on the case.

How much pressure are you putting on the bracelets first link? Are you able to move the first link at sly? Mine doesn't seem to want to budge at all.

Also applying the pressure from the top looks like it might not work. It almost seems like the bracelet is pushing INTO the case by applying pressure from the. Seems like you almost need to PULL the bracelet out while pushing in e spring bars. CAn you tell me where the lug is located? You said the spring bar is supped to rest on the lug after you compress it. Where exactly is that? It seems like the only place for it to rest is the shoulder, but only after you tilt the bracelet, but that's difficult because there's hardly any play in that top link.

I tried changing my tag the same way and that was much much easier.

Any chance you have pics of the head and the bracelet disassembled? Thanks.

The lugs are the projections form the case that the bracelet end link fits into - or where a strap fits into the watch. You really can see it all in action on the video link previously provided.

_________________
SHARKMAN

I thought that's the "shoulder".

As I have said, all you want to do is stop the springbar from going back into the hole - you only need to move it a fraction of an inch.

If you can't do it then go back to the AD and have them show you - if you can't get the bracelet off then you are going to really struggle getting it back on.

yea. I think I'll bring it to the ad and have them show me. Appreciate The help.

BTW, I was lifting some stuff over my head yesterday and now my LUG is killing me.

_________________
SHARKMAN