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Brenngun · 31 December 2023, 07:34 AM

About 30 years ago I was swimming in the warm Caribbean surf. Not a care in the world. As I’m climbing out of the water heading to my next cold beer, I had a quick look at my watch to see if lunch was nearing. Ah…. WHAT THE F&#% ….. NO WATCH …… my one-year-old Sub was gone. Likely a spring bar sheared off. Never felt it go. I turned around and looking out to sea I realized there was no way to know where to even start looking. It was over. A sickening feeling, I never wanted to experience again. Enter NATO straps.

Since then whenever I’m planning to be in an open body of water, I put my watches on NATO straps. Have never lost another one since. I know there are some members here who think its not necessary or just wrong to do this but I’m writing to say I'm very glad I do this. Here’s why.

I’ve been spending the last month in Barbados. As always, I strapped up 3 watches I was bringing. Yesterday as I’m again climbing out of the surf, I look down to check the time and this is what I see. WOW. Bracelet or even rubber strap wouldn't have had this result. So lucky.

Carguy87 · 31 December 2023, 07:42 AM

Wow glad you didn’t lose another one!! Poseidon must think you have good taste in watches lol

Also your trip sounds like a blast hope you’re having fun!!

Phrank · 31 December 2023, 08:26 AM

Yikes! What a save! Yes, that would be a crushing experience to lose a watch that way.

Barbados, spectacular vacation choice, was there 3 years ago and loved every minute of it.

Enjoy....maybe a G-Shock for swimming from now on?

Calatrava r · 31 December 2023, 08:32 AM

A watch is only as good as its spring bars. On a divers watch a screw in bar might make more sense and be more secure underwater.

Dave455 · 31 December 2023, 08:53 AM

A close thing!

Nato straps were, of course, designed to be used with fixed strap bars.

I’ve never really liked using them with spring bars as I think the bit of extra movement can work them loose, which I suspect has happened here. I had a similar occurrence with my Orfina.

There is, of course, a fixed bar option from Tudor!

Latrodectus · 31 December 2023, 08:57 AM

If this happens with a normal bracelet, your watch would be gone. Natos are great!

Rebel · 31 December 2023, 09:25 AM

2loaded · 31 December 2023, 09:27 AM

You must be Flash Gordon in the water !
Fixed bar MN is next on the list for you my friend.

Old Expat Beast · 31 December 2023, 09:46 AM

Could it be that the nato dragged the springbar out from between the lugs? That can happen when the springbars aren't smooth, but have shoulders like the ones used in no-holes cases. Or when the nato isn't quite as wide as the lug width.

77T · 31 December 2023, 10:02 AM

30 years apart - springbar fails.

MTBF = 15 yrs.

Pretty good since we never know when one will fail.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

JasoninDenver · 31 December 2023, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave455

A close thing!

Nato straps were, of course, designed to be used with fixed strap bars.

I’ve never really liked using them with spring bars as I think the bit of extra movement can work them loose, which I suspect has happened here. I had a similar occurrence with my Orfina.

There is, of course, a fixed bar option from Tudor!

Sure enjoying mine!!!

Still waiting for a Erika’s MN strap to arrive from overseas.

Dan Pierce · 31 December 2023, 01:46 PM

Nice save, Rick!

The Nylon Nation comes thru!

dP

Mountain66 · 31 December 2023, 04:55 PM

Very lucky!

Hollie_Rollie · 1 January 2024, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2loaded

You must be Flash Gordon in the water !
Fixed bar MN is next on the list for you my friend.

Haha this is exactly what I was thinking. Are you Michael Phelps in the 400m freestyle?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

EEpro · 1 January 2024, 01:45 AM

I've personally only seen spring bars fail on natos. They apply a lot more stress at angles other than the pure shear of a fixed bracelet.

ltmgeller · 1 January 2024, 04:43 AM

Close one

Brenngun · 1 January 2024, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carguy87

Wow glad you didn’t lose another one!! Poseidon must think you have good taste in watches lol

Also your trip sounds like a blast hope you’re having fun!!

Yes he's already got my Sub. Very glad this one stayed with me. Trip is a blast. I need another Rum punch!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phrank

Yikes! What a save! Yes, that would be a crushing experience to lose a watch that way.

Barbados, spectacular vacation choice, was there 3 years ago and loved every minute of it.

Enjoy....maybe a G-Shock for swimming from now on?

Love this place. Such a great Island. People here are amazing. Don't own a G-Shock but who know?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebel

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77T

30 years apart - springbar fails.

MTBF = 15 yrs.

Pretty good since we never know when one will fail.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Very good in my mind.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

Sure enjoying mine!!!

Still waiting for a Erika’s MN strap to arrive from overseas.

Love the NATO!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Nice save, Rick!

The Nylon Nation comes thru!

dP

Thanks Dan. I'll always be a proud member of the nation!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mountain66

Very lucky!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ltmgeller

Close one

Too Close

Brenngun · 1 January 2024, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Latrodectus

If this happens with a normal bracelet, your watch would be gone. Natos are great!

Right on the money. It happened once to me. The sub was on it's bracelet and it was gone. Had to be a spring bar or pin somewhere. I'll never wear any watch on a bracelet in open water again.

Brenngun · 1 January 2024, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave455

A close thing!

Nato straps were, of course, designed to be used with fixed strap bars.

I’ve never really liked using them with spring bars as I think the bit of extra movement can work them loose, which I suspect has happened here. I had a similar occurrence with my Orfina.

There is, of course, a fixed bar option from Tudor!

A very close thing. I always make sure the strap has no extra side to side movement for this very reason. I have seen what you describe but not on anything of mine. That's not to say it can't happen however I've never experienced it. I love the new fixed bar Tudor FXD but wish they would have included a date complication without having to go with the chrono.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2loaded

You must be Flash Gordon in the water !
Fixed bar MN is next on the list for you my friend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollie_Rollie

Haha this is exactly what I was thinking. Are you Michael Phelps in the 400m freestyle?

Yeah .... no .... This was the result of a young lady needing to dive off of my shoulders and who am I to turn her down. I mean I didn't think it might cost me a watch. I'm guessing during the process of her sitting on my shoulders and then standing up to dive somehow her foot caught the edge of the watch and the weight sheared off the spring bar. There was a stub still stuck in one of the lug holes. Had this been on a bracelet I would have donated another one to Davy Jones's locker. In this case the NATO saved the day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Could it be that the nato dragged the springbar out from between the lugs? That can happen when the springbars aren't smooth, but have shoulders like the ones used in no-holes cases. Or when the nato isn't quite as wide as the lug width.

I hear you and have seen similar issues if the strap is slightly narrow. In this case I think the shoulder dive did the damage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EEpro

I've personally only seen spring bars fail on natos. They apply a lot more stress at angles other than the pure shear of a fixed bracelet.

My only experience with losing a watch has been with it on it's bracelet. Had to be a spring bar at the lugs of the clasp or a pin in the links. All I know for sure is it was gone. Who knows what can happen. The only thing I know for sure is it happens with a NATO strap on the watch you have a back up that keeps the watch on your wrist as in this case.

enjoythemusic · 1 January 2024, 06:56 AM

You have angered Poseidon! The Tudor was on his Wish List.

j/k

Patekfinder · 1 January 2024, 10:56 AM

Wow. You would think Rolex would put a solid bar or screw in bars on the Deep Sea for this very reason??

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

rpdur · 1 January 2024, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EEpro

I've personally only seen spring bars fail on natos. They apply a lot more stress at angles other than the pure shear of a fixed bracelet.

This is exactly right.

Brenngun · 1 January 2024, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

You have angered Poseidon! The Tudor was on his Wish List.

j/k

Yeah well he will just have to wait

AzPaul · 1 January 2024, 10:26 PM

Your avatar always makes me hungry.

1William · 1 January 2024, 11:27 PM

Sorry it happened but I prefer the bracelet and insurance.

Michael1968 · 2 January 2024, 07:31 AM

31 December 2023, 07:42 AM	#2
Carguy87 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 X2 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2022 Real Name: Steve Location: Nevada Watch: JC 126660 Posts: 3,579	Wow glad you didn’t lose another one!! Poseidon must think you have good taste in watches lol Also your trip sounds like a blast hope you’re having fun!! __________________ Rolex: James Cameron 126660, 126710BLNR jubilee Omega: Speedmaster Moonphase Tag Heuer: Monaco blue dial, Formula One alarm Tudor: Black Bay GMT Opaline

31 December 2023, 08:57 AM	#6
Latrodectus 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Fred Location: KY, USA Watch: GMT-Master II Posts: 9,996	If this happens with a normal bracelet, your watch would be gone. Natos are great! __________________ Member # 16057 4-Hands Club Tosser Club Member TRF Skypers Group

31 December 2023, 09:25 AM	#7
Rebel "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Dr Mark R Nail Location: New Albany Watch: Tudor Sub 75090 Posts: 8,066	__________________ ------------------------------- Member of the Nylon Nation

31 December 2023, 09:46 AM	#9
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Hong Kong Watch: SEIKO Posts: 28,391	Could it be that the nato dragged the springbar out from between the lugs? That can happen when the springbars aren't smooth, but have shoulders like the ones used in no-holes cases. Or when the nato isn't quite as wide as the lug width. __________________ _______________________

31 December 2023, 10:02 AM	#10
77T 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: PaulG Location: Georgia Posts: 40,817	30 years apart - springbar fails. MTBF = 15 yrs. Pretty good since we never know when one will fail. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro __________________ Does anyone really know what time it is?

31 December 2023, 08:26 AM	#3
Phrank 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Toronto Watch: ♕ Posts: 2,000	Yikes! What a save! Yes, that would be a crushing experience to lose a watch that way. Barbados, spectacular vacation choice, was there 3 years ago and loved every minute of it. Enjoy....maybe a G-Shock for swimming from now on?

31 December 2023, 08:32 AM	#4
Calatrava r 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: United States Watch: Rolex and Patek Posts: 10,642	A watch is only as good as its spring bars. On a divers watch a screw in bar might make more sense and be more secure underwater.

31 December 2023, 09:27 AM	#8
2loaded "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: USA Watch: es watches Posts: 1,956	You must be Flash Gordon in the water ! Fixed bar MN is next on the list for you my friend.

31 December 2023, 01:46 PM	#12
Dan Pierce 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: D'OH! Location: Kentucky Watch: Rolex-1 Tudor-3 Posts: 35,789	Nice save, Rick! The Nylon Nation comes thru! dP __________________ TRF Member# 1668 Bass Player in TRF "AFTER DARK" Bar & NightClub Band Commander-in-Chief of The Nylon Nation The Crown & Shield Club Honorary Member of P-Club

31 December 2023, 04:55 PM	#13
Mountain66 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: - Posts: 21	Very lucky!

1 January 2024, 01:45 AM	#15
EEpro 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Real Name: Brad Location: Purdue Watch: Daytona Posts: 9,093	I've personally only seen spring bars fail on natos. They apply a lot more stress at angles other than the pure shear of a fixed bracelet. __________________ ♛ ✠ Ω 2FA Active

1 January 2024, 04:43 AM	#16
ltmgeller 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Real Name: Mike Location: New York Watch: Rolex Posts: 21,441	Close one __________________ Oh, look at the time... Official Member: 'WIS-CON' Las Vegas International GTG 2019

1 January 2024, 06:56 AM	#20
enjoythemusic 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Real Name: Steven Location: Glocal Posts: 19,545	You have angered Poseidon! The Tudor was on his Wish List. j/k __________________ __________________ “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'Wow! What a Ride!'” -- Hunter S. Thompson Sent from my Etch A Sketch using String Theory.

1 January 2024, 10:56 AM	#21
Patekfinder Banned Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: NYC Posts: 481	Wow. You would think Rolex would put a solid bar or screw in bars on the Deep Sea for this very reason?? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

1 January 2024, 10:26 PM	#24
AzPaul 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2012 Real Name: Paul Location: Tucson, Az Watch: Rolex 1501 Posts: 13,219	Your avatar always makes me hungry. __________________ Ain't much of a crime, whacking a surly bartender

1 January 2024, 11:27 PM	#25
1William 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: North Carolina Watch: Rolex/Others Posts: 44,915	Sorry it happened but I prefer the bracelet and insurance.

2 January 2024, 07:31 AM	#26
Michael1968 Banned Join Date: Aug 2021 Real Name: Michael Location: Europe Watch: UN,RolexTudor&more Posts: 2,742

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