Knowing how to change a watch strap is an absolute MUST to ensure we can get the most out of our collections. A simple strap change can turn that rugged tool into an elegant watch overnight! Today we are going to walk through the how to’s of changing watch straps. In this post we will outline the tools required along with a step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth swap all around. This guide is a rather one so long please refer to the links to jump around;
Step 1 - Gear Up
Half the fun of this hobby is collecting the gear/tools and using them to work on watches. The feeling of accomplishment for a job well done (no matter the size) is something that cannot be matched! While one can likely get by swapping straps with household items we strongly recommend investing in some tools as it will make the process much simpler and safer. Check out our Amazon Affiliate links below for our picks!
Step 2 - Set up the Bench
Time to set up the work bench! We recommend setting up on a clean space, placing the watch on a microfiber cloth or glasses cleaner to avoid scratching of the watches case or crystal. Additionally, it is recommend that there is some space set aside to place spring bars while they are not in use. Ain’t nobody go time to get down on their hands and knees to frantically look for a tiny metal spring!
Step 3 - Strap Removal
Now we are getting somewhere! There are a few options on how to change a watch strap depending on the case design and strap configuration. Below we’ve outlines the 4 most common types of straps to remove are the following;
Standard Non-Drilled Lugs – Non-drilled lugs refers to a case design where the only access to the spring bars is through the top or bottom of the watch. Today this is the most common case design as it gives the watch a cleaner aesthetic. Removing a spring bar from a case with non-drilled lugs requires patience and poise as a small mistake can scratch a watch case quite easily. We can remove the strap with the following steps;
Flip the watch face down on the cloth and grab the spring bar tool with the fork pointed up.
Place the fork in between the end of the strap and the case lug catching the loaded portion of the spring bar. Some resistance should be felt here when the spring bar is pulled towards the watch.
Pull the spring towards the watch to release it from the case, at the same time lightly pull the strap until comes free.
Repeat this step on other side leaving the watch head only.
Standard Drilled Lugs – Drilled lugs refers to a case design where there are holes drilled directly through the lugs of the case to allow quick removal of straps with a simple poking tool. This feature is more common on older watches and provides a nice vintage aesthetic. Removing a strap from a drilled lugs case is much simpler than it’s non drilled counterparts due to the poking motion rather than a pulling motion. The strap can be removed with the following steps;
Get a tight grip on the watch case, and have the pointed end of the removal tool right side up.
Push the pointed end of the spring bar removal tool through the lug hole until it is released. At the same time lightly pull the strap from the case until it comes free.
Repeat this step on other side leaving the watch head only.
NATO Straps -The NATO strap is comprised of two pieces of fabric (typically nylon) that weave in between the spring bars to fasten the watch to the wearers wrist. The NATO was designed with military use in mind to ensure that if one of the spring bars was to fail the watch won’t fall off the wrist, pretty neat if you ask us!
When replacing a NATO strap there are no tools required as the spring bars remain attached to the watch throughout the process. A NATO can be removed with the following steps;
Flip the watch over and remove the keeper from the long piece of fabric. The keeper is the small piece of fabric with a metal ring on the end of it.
The long portion of the strap should remain in the watch.
Pull the long portion of the strap through the bottom spring bar. It is tempting to strap it all the way through both spring bars at once, however, there is a chance you can damage both the strap and spring bar depending on the age of the watch and how tight the spring bar fits to the watch case.
Once the piece of fabric is pulled through the bottom spring bar pull the remainder through the top spring bar leaving the watch head only.
Quick Release Watch Straps – The Quick Release strap is the new kid in town and damn does it change the game! These are watch straps that have an integrated spring bar built in with a small release trigger underneath the strap for quick and easy removals. Just like the NATO strap there are no tools required when removing the Quick Release straps! These types of straps can removed as follows;
Flip the watch over and look for the quick release trigger on the underside of the strap.
Use a finger to pull trigger towards the watch, at the same time lightly pull the strap until it comes free.
Voila, just like that, all done!
Step 4 - Strap Selection
We firmly believe that nothing is off limits when picking a watch strap! Our only advice is to check that the strap fits the watch by making sure the width of the watch strap matches the width of the watches lugs.
Step 5 - Strap Attachment
Non-Drilled Lugs – Re-attaching the strap to a case with non-drilled lugs requires as much patience as removing it, the slightest slip could lead to a scratch on the case or even a spring bar being sent flying across the room!
Slide the spring bar through the holes of the new strap.
With the watch faced down place one end of the spring bar in its corresponding hole with the other end on top of the watch lug.
Using the spring bar removal tool place the fork on the exposed end of the spring bar pushing it inwards and down to fit inside the lug.
Once inside, massage the strap until the spring bar snaps in to place.
To check the strap is secure pull lightly to see if there is any unwanted movement.
Drilled Lugs – Attaching a new strap requires the same process as the Non-Drilled Lugs case design, click here to read.
NATO Straps
With the buckle facing up thread the long piece of the NATO strap through the top spring bar (located at 12).
Thread the long portion of the NATO strap through the bottom lug.
Feed the long piece of the NATO strap through the metal ring on the keeper.
Pull the long portion of the NATO strap all the way through the keeper and you’re all set!
Quick Release Watch Straps
With the watch faced down, place one end of the spring bar in its corresponding hole with the other end on top of the watch lug.
Use a finger to pull the trigger towards the watch while lightly pushing the strap down until it is inside the lug.
Guide the spring bar into the lug hole.
That’s all she wrote folks!
