I guess I have answered my own question. The tubes fit perfectly in the rubber strap. The previous owner had mounted the strap incorrectly.
Hi everybody, my Panerai came with the rubber strap fitted, upon removal I found that it was fitted without tubes. The tubes are in the leather strap supplied with the watch.
Should the tubes have been transferred to the rubber strap?
I guess I have answered my own question. The tubes fit perfectly in the rubber strap. The previous owner had mounted the strap incorrectly.
If your PAM has screw in spring bars then you should use tubes in all your straps. Simply swap them over each time. You can buy replacements cheaply from eBay, Toshi, etc too.
I have a couple of spare sets of 24mm tubes if you need them.
I presume a regular spring bar wouldn’t need tubes as they can’t come unscrewed. The purpose of the tube is to stop friction from the strap unscrewing the bars. I’m sure it can’t hurt to use them with regular spring bars too, but it’s probably not as essential. Though as you say the tube may help with overall fitment of the strap.
Last edited by jimmbob; 25th September 2023 at 10:58.
The references I’ve had in the past that take a spring bar they were thicker and didn’t require a tube. The increase in thickness compensated and fitted correctly. Both rubber and leather straps were the same.
I’ve only had two. Both 1940’s rads. 45 and 47mm.
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Good find, Tony - albeit the final paragraph conclusions could perhaps have repeated the springbar warning in big bold font (to avoid more hacksawing).
Thanks everyone.