Changing the strap on your watch is a fantastic way to give it a new appearance and refresh your timepiece. If you are wondering what’s the best and safest way to go about it, you came to the right place. While having your strap professionally changed is undoubtedly the safest option, you can easily learn how to replace a watch strap at home if you have the right information and tools. Changing the band on your watch often completely transforms its appearance, freshens the look, and gives you a feel of having a brand new watch on your wrist without breaking the bank.
Before We Change the Strap
There are a few items you’ll want to have before attempting to change your strap. To begin with, make sure your timepiece is placed on a soft surface. This will assist in preventing scratches and the sliding of the watch crystal and casing. You might also wish to use painter’s tape to protect the lugs from scratches. Next, make sure you have a good tool for changing your strap. A good strap-changing tool or spring bar tool is essential for replacing most watch bands or straps. There are few exceptions, but for the most part, the tool pictured below will have you covered. Ready to begin? Let’s do this.
How to Change a Watch Strap Step By Step
- Place the watch on your cushioned work area, dial side down, with the current strap opened.
- Check to see if your watch’s lugs have holes drilled all the way through them. If your watch has drilled lugs, insert the spring bar tool’s pointed tip through each side. The ends of the spring bar will be depressed as a result of this.
- While pushing with one hand, move the strap and release the spring bar from the lug with the other.
- Remove the strap gently when both ends have released.
Use the bent fork end of the spring bar tool if your watch doesn’t have drilled lugs. Between the strap and the lug, slide the flat side of the fork against the watch case. You’ll contact the spring bar’s tiny ridge. Once it’s engaged, pry the spring bar free with one hand using the fork’s leverage. Then, using the other hand, gently press the strap forward to liberate the spring bar from its hole. - To make a spring bar strap, begin by inserting a set of spring bars into your new strap. On both sides, make sure each end stands out evenly.
- With one end of the spring bar inserted into one of the lug holes, tighten the spring bar. Line align the other end of the spring bar with the hole on the opposite lug. Engage the tiny ridge on the spring bar with the fork end of your spring bar tool. Then press it on the strap until the spring bar’s end slips into the lug. Gently raise and lower the strap until the spring bar clicks into position. Keep in mind the correct positioning of the two sides: in most cases, the buckled side of the strap will be at the twelve o’clock position.
- Finally, tug on the new strap to ensure that it is properly secured. To make sure the replacement strap is in place, gently tug on both ends of the strap.
How To Put On a NATO Strap
Start by attaching the spring bars without the strap if you wish to use a NATO strap instead of a leather strap or bracelet. Depress the spring bar with your spring bar tool and insert it into the hole. Rep on the other side, then double-check that both spring bars are securely in place. Then, on the twelve-o’clock side of the case, slip the NATO strap through the spring bar. Pull it back through the spring bar on the opposite six-o’clock side, and across the rear of the case. Finally, make sure the timepiece isn’t sliding about on the strap and the NATO strap locking mechanism is engaged.