Comments:
Titanium springbar inserts/sleeves in precious metal watches?
Hi All,
In 2004, starting with the Double Split model, Lange began using little titanium inserts/sleeves in their springbar holes. Lange doesn't do this in all of their watch cases -- only larger cases (Lange 1 size and larger).
What (if any) other brands use non-precious metal inserts for the springbar holes in their precious metal watches?
I am curious, and I don't know if it's common or not.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Not metal/Ti, but Rolex uses ceramic sleeves ...
on their pm spring bars, especially DD and pm sky-d models ...
Ah right, thanks! But are these springbars? Or are they link screws/pins?
I know Rolex uses sleeves around certain bracelet screws/pins to prevent "stretch" (I have a DD40 with those sleeves in the bracelet). I was wondering specifically about the holes in the lugs, where the springbars go, to prevent those holes from enlarging.
Yeah, those are link screws/pins, not spring bars ...
Not sure about lug holes. Looking forward to other replies.
This is a sign that Lange has learned from their experiences and implemented an improvement. Bravo! -John
Unaware of any Omega with bushed springbars, but . . .
. . . at least one vintage model, the Centenary, came with 18 kt gold springbars, presumably for the same reason, to reduce metal-to-metal contact wear.
Art
Ugh, you HAD to mention the Centenary, Art...
I loved the looks of that watch but never pursued one. Now I have to think about it again! 
Centenaries are gorgeous . . .
. . . no doubt about it!
If only mine still had the original gold springbars 😔 . . .
Do you know exactly on which models Lange used these bushings?
There is little public knowledge about this detail.
I first read about it here: www.fratellowatches.com
#gref (so on a 403.035).
A friend of mine has noticed the same in a Richard Lange Jumping Seconds (ref 252.025).
I have inspected few Lange in platinum, both old and modern, small and large and never found these bushings.
Or at least I couldn't really see them because until I saw your post I thought they were made in brass, not titanium.
Titanium would make sense because it is rust-proof and has a thermal expansion that is very close to the one of platinum, however brass is often used for bushings because of its anti-friction property against steel.
Apologies, I don't have any details about this beyond my original post....
In 2004, Lange started using titanium springbar sleeves in the lug holes. Lange introduced these sleeves with the Double Split and then used them in cases that were greater than or equal to the size of a Lange 1 case. So, for example, I don't know if you'd find these sleeves in a modern Little Lange 1.
I see, anyway according to your information every Lange post-2004 with a case greater than or equal to the size of a Lange 1 should have it
Then I guess I need to check again my Langes: all of them are larger and (except from one) all of them are post-2004 yet I haven't noticed these sleeves.
I might have missed them because all the watches were white metals and I was looking for a (more) contrasting color (I expected them to use brass).
I might have missed them because all the watches were white metals and I was looking for a (more) contrasting color (I expected them to use brass).