I found reasonably priced OEM Breitling 23mm x 1.8mm stainless steel spring bars to be used with the 44mm Chronomat series of watches with 22mm lugs. Any time you switch from a bracelet to a strap, it is advised to go up 1mm in spring bar size. So a 22mm lug should have a 23mm spring bar with a strap. This way any twisting of the strap will not cause the spring bar to fall out. If I use the OEM 22mm spring bars that are used for the pilot bracelet with the Pro 3 Dive strap, I can push on one side of the strap by the case and the spring bar will compress enough to POP OUT. A 23mm spring bar locks the rubber strap in solid and any amount of strap force wont push the spring bar out. That 1mm longer collar makes all the difference in strength and security. I dive with my watches and have been very particular with what spring bars I use with rubber dive straps on all my watches.
Omega also goes up 1mm in their straps over the bracelet and have been doing this for years with my 45mm Planet Ocean.
The ends of the 23mm spring bars that insert into the lug holes are the same double flange design and thickness as oem Breitling with very strong spring strength. Genuine 23mm spring bars are hard to find so I wanted to pass this along.
Here is the link
http://www.ebay.com/itm/381657212165?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT
