On 20 Jul 2005 01:56:43 -0700, wrote:

snip
I now understand I can obtain the vintage by removing the band at the 6
o'clock position to cross reference the serial number. Those pins are
mighty small. I just snapped a photo of the watch while it was on my
keyboard.
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/8500/rolexpin8tu.jpg

Is there a common household tool that is small enough to get these pins
out?

A pin or thin nail will suffice. Perhaps to make it easier, flatten
off the pin's point on a grinder or oil stone, but anything that is
smaller that the diameter of the hole and can push that pin in will
do. You'll just have to hunt around in your tool box or shed.

Are they bi-directional?

They are called a spring bar(or lug). Imagine a tube with two pistons
inside, being pushed apart by a coil spring between them. Kind of like
an old drum brake slave cylinder, if that helps

You'll have to push the pin on one end, while with your third hand
pulling the band (gently) away from the case. Once you dislodge one
end you may think that you could pull the band off the case. Maybe
so, but in my experience those Rolex bands are very good fits and
getting just one side out will not let the band tilt far enough out of
the case. Forcing it off will damage the spring bar.
So, make sure you dislodge both ends of the spring bar. Once that is
done, the band will just pull away.
Hope this helped.

--

Regards, Frank