I guess I coulda punched better holesbut my icepick did the deed! (n/t)

FYI: For some reason after reading this post earlier I can't stop hearing Warren Zevon "Werewolves of London"
"Little old Swatch watch got mutilated late last night...." I need more sleep!

Re: "Little old Swatch watch got mutilated late last night...."


I still miss Warren Zevon...

 (n/t)

Interesting points here! I am expecting one too, identical of the one I had in 80s!!! (n/t)

Wouldn't a more robust proposition be to use the Dremel to notch the replacement strap?
Which, in theory, I would think might result in less stress on the "surviving" lugs...

I'm thinking that wouldn't work so hot on a NATO...
..nor with a single-throw nylon US-style Milstrap, which is what I used.

But with a conventional strap, yeah, that makes a lot more sense!

Be careful with these lugs and their supports >>>
This was a material issue on the past. Swatch has added these two support prongs because the lugs tended to break off.

I had two of these examples with broken off lugs:



I used my DREMEL to explore the inside of the watches (because of the broken lugs, I could not wear the watches anymore). On the blue you clearly see that one of the outer lug prongs had broken off



To any Swatch owner, I do not encourage (not just for these models, but for all Swatches) to make changes on the case nor lugs. These parts break relatively easily

Re: To any Swatch owner, I do not encourage..to make changes on the case nor lugs. These parts break relatively easily.
It's sound advice, sure. So I've got to agree.. do not try this at home!

Quote
Reto
I had two of these examples with broken off lugs:

I've got a nifty little Casio in the boneyard with the same exact problem. Runs perfect, but no way to wear it since the lug is broken.

Quote
Reto
..(not just for these models, but for all Swatches)..

It's worth noting that the one I modded does use a different case than the ones you picture. It's what I think of as a "Type B" Swatch case.. instead of being 100% resin, it has a stamped metal 'bezel cap' that fits over the resin base, extending to the C/L of the lug holes. While I do realize the metal cap is intended as a decorative feature, I'm hoping that it will also serve to strengthen the lugs. I'll try to shoot some photos this evening. So far so good.. but only time will tell.

Thanks Ricky, I am looking forward to seeing your pics. And if >>>
you could come up with an inexpensive yet nice looking "contraption" for all kind of watches with broken lugs, then I think you could quit your day job.

Right now I think the only way to wear watches with broken lugs in a decent way, is this rather historic way:  (Broken photo link -rlm) Not exactly like this, I am thinking a leather band that has a pocket on top with a cut-out to read the time. Maybe some of our strapmakers pick this idea up. But actually I think it exists already. My father's Thommen Barometer had such a pocket

The dremel gets you a long way  (n/t)

That's one way to do it or you could have....
gotten another Swatch strap and attach another buckle end to the watch then add a middle piece. Sort of like this creation from Shane Delaurian. Pic taken off his site. Either way I look forward to your pics.

Or I could simply have borrowed..
..Bro Chris King's "Flat Reto Adapter".

It could have been worse.....you could have disintigrated the lug end like i did to my croccante!!!!! (n/t)

Exactly what happened to me and probably a lot of other people (n/t)

Looking forward to the follow-up pics  (n/t)

I can correct you, with some experience, you're not the first to do such a mod >
I desecrated a Swatch several years before my first post here in hopes of a better strap.

Never claimed this to be a first, mate.


Indeed, as ridiculously easy as it was, I reckon plenty of Swatches have been modded thusly.

Seriously, "ridiculously easy" fits. Took me less than five minutes from "Hmmmmm" to "Done!". Another few minutes to fit the strap. Well under 10 minutes all told.

Quote
greg honeycutt
I desecrated a Swatch..

"Desecrated"! That's the word I was looking for! Much more descriptive of the actual process than "mutilated"!

mate!

yep, the proper wheel on a dremel and those silly little lugs are gone in less than a beer >
glad to assist with the proper wording. Honestly, those stock Swatch straps, though decent, aren't much.

Good advice here from Greg. On older Swatches it does not even take a DREMEL to take these off, they >>>
fall off by themselves

Congrats, Ricky, I've been searching the Bay for...
...the Irony type of Swatches, I own 2 but love to have a Chrono as well, but not a "plastic" one! Remember I'm just no fan of plastic watches. If I find the right color (blue/darkblue), I might sell my aluminum Swatch with the nice croco Swatch strap...An I'm biding on another special one too, at the same seller here in my country, who sold me my first Swatch!

Re: ..the Irony type of Swatches, I own 2 but love to have a Chrono as well, but not a "plastic" one! Remember I'm just no fan of plastic watches.
And you wouldn't make an exception even for a ?

Man, you're a hard-liner!

Swatch is all about plastic, IMHO.

Swatch Irony! Just take a look! (n/t)

Oh, I'm quite familiar with the Irony line.  (n/t)

Yes, I'm stubborn, I like the METAL Irony's of the plastic, Oh, the IRONY!!  (n/t)

Ah. Stubbornness. One of those rare qualities that can be either blessing or curse, depending on what yo DO with it. (n/t)

Yep, my way, or the highway!  (n/t)

Wow. I'd never have taken ye...
For a Limp Bizkit fan!

CooL!  

LOL, only one song: Behind Blue Eyes...  (n/t)

They've done a better Who cover.
"My Generation".

OK, OK. Not a Who cover per se.

But, I would argue, a re-thinking and re-creation of The Original. 

Re: They've done a better Who cover.
Perhaps, but I like BBE better and I own the original of the Who, too. For the rest I'm not really a big fan of LB.

A real 12hr. chrono. That gets a  (n/t)

Looks great, and worked out great. (n/t)

That is a good one! (n/t)

aye, that's a very upscale swatch. the face reminds me of a marble floor pattern  (n/t)

Well, yeah, a 22-jewel chronograph is pretty high-end by Swatch standards.
I'd purely love to know exactly what movement it is. I'm guessing an ETA 251-series...



..but that's just a wild guess, based on the jewel count.

Given the black-box construction of a Swatch, I'll never know for sure , I reckon.

That one is almost too classy for a suthern boy like you!  (n/t)

Danged near it!