The new style butterfly deployant clasp for SMPs with rubber straps, is a great concept,but has some faults in it's execution.I have just purchased one from my AD and am quite disappointed.The problems are:1.the side that closes 1st,I'll call side A,is not held down fully either by the stud that it clicks down on,or by side B,which then closes down on top of side A. B is held in place by a two spring loaded buttons in a similar fashion to the standard SMP deployant clasp.The stud on side A has a slot that can be pried open to adjust it's tension,but it will still not hold side A flush.Side A will always be higher than side B by approx. the thickness of the metal.This does not look good and can snag on things.Problem 2.The double button spring catch on side B looks like it is much stronger than the standard SMP catch but it is flawed.On similar clasps,Oris for example,the buttons are secured by capturing the spring with a bent tab of metal,very secure.My Omega catch failed in only 6 days when one of the two TINY set screws (hidden under the catch),came out.These set screws, which secure the springs, are not contained in any way and cannot be seen without disasembly.Problem 3,both straps are connected to the length adjustment mechanism portion of the clasp with spring bars.If the owner has a small wrist these adjusters will allow the band to separate from the clasp at an angle great enough to be equal to the thickness of the band.This is very unsightly,and will allow the clasp to easily snag on things.This could be corrected by adding a rubber spacer over the lobes on the adjuster ,which I have done,or the lobes could be re-designed to prevent this.I can use locktite,spacers and other rigged methods to partially correct the latter two problems, but for $150. I expect a better executed design. I could return the clasp,however,I have shortened my bands to fit and they will not now work with my other clasp.Repacement cost for the band alone is $169.This has been an expensive experiment. David C.
