How to change your watch strap
Is your watch strap looking tired and worn out? Or do you fancy a change to a new colour or style? Changing the strap on your watch is a quick and easy process that can make your watch feel brand new again.
Here’s a step by step guide to follow, alternatively you can watch our video guide here.
You will need
- Your watch
- A replacement strap
- A spring bar tool (widely available online, but you can buy one from us here)
How to change your watch strap
First, turn your watch face down. This is important, if you slip with the tool you’d prefer the back of your watch getting a scratch instead of the front, wouldn’t you?
Then take a look at your tool, you should notice one side has a fork edge, while the other is more like a pin. Carefully insert the fork between the case and the edge of the strap.
Leaver the tool gently downwards to release the spring bar. Although this might be tight, try not to use too much pressure with this (that’s how you'll slip and damage your watch)
Once you have released the spring bar, the watch strap will detach. Repeat the previous step on the opposite side of the watch for the other half of your watch strap.
Then you will need to use the pin-end of the tool to push out the spring bar from each end of the strap, be careful not to lose it once it has been removed, you will need to re-use it in your new watch strap.
Slot the spring bar into each half of your new strap. Your strap is now ready to be fitted.
Fit one end of the spring bar into the hole in the watch case. Be sure to check your strap is fitted the correct way around (usually the buckle is at the top of the watch).
Then use the fork end of the tool to push the spring bar down into position in the watch case. This might be awkward on your first attempt, but it will get easier with practice.
If at this point you discover that your new strap doesn’t fit your watch, it’s likely that it’s the incorrect size width (so check it against your old strap). If it is the right size, it’s possible that your watch case has bent out of shape slightly.
Flex the strap to check that it’s being held in place firmly. If not, remove the strap and try again.
Repeat this process with the other half of your watch strap.
Give the straps a gentle pull, move them around a bit. If they’re holding steady you’re good to go. If not, you should repeat the steps above until you’re sure it feels secure.
You can watch a video of the process below.
If you have any questions or need some more help with changing your watch strap, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below, we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
