Removing Sinn U1 rubber?

[Zidane]

Any ideas on how to remove a Sinn U1 rubber strap from a planet ocean.
I think I screwed up here. I used the supplied spring bars that came with the U1 strap but the lugs are obviously not drilled so I'm having a tough time removing the strap b/c there's no ridge along the edge of the spring bar for my removal tool to grip onto.

Any ideas?

[suddha]

Ooooh, that's tough. Yes, you need to use spring bars with shoulders on non-drilled lugs. But no sense in dwelling on that now. I'd heard that a very small jeweler's screwdriver with a lot of patience and just the right amount of pressure (and some luck) will pop the bar loose.

Better to ruin the spring bar than the watch or that nice strap. So if all else fails, maybe squeeze a small needle nose pliers between strap and lug and pull and twist and bend the bar til it breaks or pops out. I'm guessing here.

Good luck!

[Zidane]

Damn... I really fudged this one up.

Oh well...Looks like I'm going to try your suggestion.

[Zidane]

Screw it. I'm just going to wear the strap like it was meant to be worn until I'm ready to switch it back to the bracelet and then I'll have to cut the strap off.

I guess it'll cost me for being in a hurry when I was installing my strap.

[SlipKid]

Get a small pair of side cutters (plyers) and cut the spring bar between the strap and the lugs. This should do the trick.

[matt.wu]

Screw it. I'm just going to wear the strap like it was meant to be worn until I'm ready to switch it back to the bracelet and then I'll have to cut the strap off.

I guess it'll cost me for being in a hurry when I was installing my strap.

Don't cut the strap. I've done this a couple times (really shouldn't have happened more than once )

Like suddha said, it just takes a springbar tool (use the small forked end) and an extra bit of pressure. It'll take a few tries, but it will come off. Just don't get too impatient and force it. That's a surefire way to put a nice deep gash in the case (or your hand).

[giosdad]

Don't cut the strap. I've done this a couple times (really shouldn't have happened more than once )

Like suddha said, it just takes a springbar tool (use the small forked end) and an extra bit of pressure. It'll take a few tries, but it will come off. Just don't get too impatient and force it. That's a surefire way to put a nice deep gash in the case (or your hand).

I agree with Matt and Suddha. Be patient and use pressure. You will eventually score the spring bar and that will help the tool grab the spring bar. The only issue here is that the rubber is thick and you will not have too much room to play with.

Since you are going to wear it how about some pictures?

[KevinNY]

There is a good market for that strap (including me), please don't cut it. If it gets a bit marred removing it I'd still be interested in buying it.

[Zidane]

I might take it to the local Jared's and see if they can remove it this weekend. Worth a try...

Thanks for the suggestions!

[Bierkameel]

Get something like this and just cut the springbars.