somethingpositive
43
My experience
I have a Langematik in platinum, and when I looked at the lug holes it had an insert, I assume of a harder metal like stainless steel. The insert was on both sides. I tried a quick release spring bar from Delugs but quickly decided against it for a few reasons. First, the spring bar hole on Lange watches seems quite small, perhaps 1.5mm but definitely not 1.8mm. Second, there was a lot of resistance when turning the spring bar, so a lot of friction in the lug holes. Even with the Lange spring bars in the lug holes, it would not rotate easily. However, with a non-quick release the strap rotates around the spring bar and doesn't force the spring bar to turn. With a quick release the strap pushes on the lever and the strap turns with normal movement or when you take the watch on/off.
I think the normal Lange spring bar is stainless steel, at least on platinum watches, but I switched back to it anyway because I thought quick release straps would cause more wear there. I do use quick release straps on other watches where they are designed for it, and there is much less resistance on moving spring bars in those lugs than in the Lange.
Steel spring bars eroding away the lug holes?
I picked up my 1815 updown around 6 months ago and I have been loving it. I’ve put it on both a delugs strap with the quick release and also a Camille Fournet strap. They both don’t have white gold spring bars but steel. I was taking a look today and it s...
I suggest you return to a factory strap & spring bars, then stop changing straps
I’ve serviced hundreds of watches and have never seen wear like that except on old gold watches with bracelets that have spring-loaded expansion ends to fit various widths. Just because a quick release lets you change without tools doesn’t mean you should...
Interesting points… never thought
About the lever of the QR spring bar having an unintended consequence. I love changing straps and I love QR spring bars. I will keep this in consideration if I get a WG case. Luckily Pt is a little harder
Hmm, it also seems that your watch has a few scratches of improper insertion of the spring bars...
I don't know if you're the one manipulating the spring bars or if someone else is. But whomever is doing it needs to be more careful to avoid scratching the inside of the lugs.
I don't know if Lange uses gold spring bars.
I don't know what kind of metal Lange uses for its springbars. Maybe they use a hard metal, maybe they use a soft metal. But if you can, try to use your Lange Spring Bars instead of the ones from Camille Fournet. If you can...
Good to know.
There are different grades of steel. We shouldn't assume that all steels are necessarily "hard" and perhaps Lange has used a softer metal that doesn't wear out the gold case as much. The other thing is that Lange's springboks are always highly polished an...
My experience
I have a Langematik in platinum, and when I looked at the lug holes it had an insert, I assume of a harder metal like stainless steel. The insert was on both sides. I tried a quick release spring bar from Delugs but quickly decided against it for a few re...
Do you know where I can find the Lug pin hole size?
I might want to get a custom strap without QR and with the right size. Thanks for the insight!
Interesting that such an old watch would have these. I'd love to see a clear pic of the lug hole, but that may be impossible if the strap is installed. Here's what the factory said...
... when I asked about these lug hole sleeves/inserts some time ago: (1) What material are the sleeves - steel? gold? - Titanium , for stability reasons (2) Does Lange ever need to replace these sleeves during servicing? – we only replace components if ne...
I hope you'll feel better about this after a bit of time passes! Not sure if this helps but...
I have several damaging non-OEM configurations on Langes -- steel bracelets that have rubbed against the middle case and the inside of the lugs, quick-release springbars like you have, etc. The damage doesn't bother me because I know the cases can always ...
Ah thank you!
I didn't realize that your Langematik was an Anniversary! i just checked mine and also see sleeves. Mine's a relative low number too. Good to know, and this adds to the timing mystery of these sleeves.
Bummer, but not surprised.
A good lesson learned and luckily you caught it before it could become worse. Thankfully Lange is a brand that could laser weld metal back into your case to restore it as new when the time calls for it.
Thanks everyone
I dont’ change the straps that often. I guess I’ll change it back to the Lange Bars. Super bummed about this but at least it can be repaired hopefully when service comes around. Seeing all these posts of people using the delug straps I thought it would be...
Straps & springbars
I replace always with care straps and springbars. I am aware of scratches of the inner side of the lugs. I do not change often straps, because to keep the watch case fresh. And i do not like changes, so i can save my watches. Factory straps and springbars...
If you ask Lange to repair this, please let us know what they say.
I don't how much case repair/refurbishment Lange can do in tight areas like this, inside the lugs. I know they can't restore the crisp chamfers on the top outside of the lugs, unless that recently changed.
Ok thanks for the PSA. I will check my
Langes next time I change my straps; but hopefully Pt saved me.
For reference, 2020 Lange 1
Looks to be titanium inserts in lug holes. Have been using QR spring bars for a while, seems ok? I find the stock spring bars VERY difficult to remove and install since Lange straps are very stiff near the spring bars. ...