'Stuck' spring bar in 145.022-71 Speedmaster

[john_coburg]

Morning all,
I was lucky enough to acquire a 145.022-71 Speedmaster in great single-owner condition on eBay (with it's original purchase receipt from a Preston jeweler in 1974), completely covered in muck, but think there's a great watch underneath there somewhere. i'd like to remove the 1171 bracelet and put it on a leather strap, and while the 6oclock side easily came off with a Bergeon 6767, the 12 side is stuck rigid as the bar appears to be shoulderless. did anyone find this was typical with this era Speedmasters? Pretty irritating as i think the only way i'll get it out is to cut it out, but i'm nervous of damaging the endlinks and the watch. Is there a generally accepted good tool for this 'cut out' job?
Thank you vm.

[derek_faker]

Try using a jeweller's screwdriver. You need to make the tip of the screwdriver blade "bite" into the springbar.