﻿How To Change Your Watch Strap [0:00:00]
Is your watch strap old and worn out? Or maybe you just want to elevate your watch game and
you want to try some new colors and styles without having to buy a whole new watch?
Gents, no need to waste time or money going to a jeweler. In today's video, I'm going to
show you how to easily change your watch strap. Step number one. You need the right tools. Here's
a quick list of what you need to get started; the spring bar tool, a replacement strap,
extra spring bars, and a soft towel. Step number two. Understand your watch
anatomy. Now, the whole process is going to be a bit easier if you've got a basic
understanding of watch terminology. First up, we've got the watch case. This
is the container in which the working parts of the watch are encased within. Next up,
we've got the watch strap. This is the band that wraps around your wrist. Then, we've got the lugs.
These are the projections on the watch case that surround and connect to your strap. Spring bar,
this is the small metal pin that connects your watch strap to the lugs of the watch.
Step number three. Get the right size for your replacement strap. If it's too small,
it's just not going to look good with the spring bar poking out like that.
And if it's too large, it won't fit at all. Now, watch strap widths are measured in
millimeters. The vast majority of watches are going to be between 18
and 22 millimeters, but, again, you want to make sure you get the size right.
So, how to measure? Well, first up, if you've got an old leather strap, oftentimes the size
of the strap will be listed on the inside of the band. But, if the size isn't listed or your old
band is just made from a different material and doesn't have the measurement, you want to measure
your lug width to find the exact right size. So, using a ruler, measure the width between the
two lugs on one side of your watch. Now, you don't want to measure from the outer part of the lug,
you want to measure the width in between them. Now, in general you want to get an exact match
especially if you're going for a metal bracelet. That being said,
if you get 19 millimeters as your measurement and you can only find a 20 millimeter strap in rubber,
you can make it work. It will fit in there, just understand it's going to fit really close.
And that takes us to the general rule. If you're in between sizes, it's always better
to go slightly larger instead of too small. Step number four. Set up your workspace. So,
you want to cover your workspace with a towel and then lay out your watch, strap, spring bar tool,
and extra spring bars. So, the goal here is to protect your watch from getting scratched,
and you want to have something that can catch your spring bars if they decide to
fly across the table when you're removing them. Protip. Use a dark-colored towel to make it easy
to spot any spring bars that fall out. I also recommend that you have a few extra
spring bars on hand in case you lose one. Step number five. Removing the old band.
So, using your spring bar tool, insert the pronged fork between the band and the lug.
Gently apply pressure on the tool pushing lightly away from the watch. This should
compress the spring bar and release the band. This can be tricky, but take your time
and don't use brute force. You don't want to damage your watch. Slide the spring bar
out of your watch band and set it aside. Now, repeat the same process for the other side.
Step number six. Install the new band. So, take your new watch strap
and slide the spring bar through until an equal amount is peeking through both ends.
Fit one end of the spring bar into one of the lug holes, then use your spring bar tool to compress
the other end of the spring bar into the strap. While keeping the pressure on the spring bar, move
the watch strap until it is sitting evenly between the lugs, then release the spring bar tool. Wiggle
the watch strap until you're sure the spring bar is properly seated in the hole. You should hear
or feel a click once each side is in place. Now, repeat the same process on the other
side of the watch. Remember, work slowly and patiently to avoid scratching your watch.
Protip. If you love changing out your watch strap and you plan on doing this often,
you want to look for straps that have a quick release spring bar built in. I'll tell you,
this right here makes it quick and easy to switch out straps without any special tools.
Now, gents, this process works with your leather, metal, and rubber straps since they all attach
the same way with the spring bar going through the hole in the end of the strap. But what about those
fabric straps that don't have holes for the spring bar going through? How do you install those?
Well, don't worry, gents, I got you covered. Let me show you how. So,
let's start things off with the NATO strap. I just love this look and it's relatively easy.
First up, you're going to go back and repeat steps one through five to get started.
So, it's the same process you're going to see one end of the spring bar into the lug hole,
then compress the bar with your spring bar tool before releasing it into the other lug
hole. You want to make sure everything is secure before you move on to the next step.
So, now, you want to orient your NATO strap, so the top of the buckle is pointing the same
direction as your watch face. Then, slide the long end of the strap through the 12
o'clock spring bar. Pull the strap underneath the watch case until the short end is resting
against the spring bar. Then, pull the long end up and over the 6 o'clock spring bar.
[0:05:07] Next up, take the long end of
the NATO and pull it through the ring on the short end of the strap. Pull it snug and you are ready
to roll. Some companies make spring bars that are slightly bent to accommodate a NATO strap better.
Next up, let's talk about Perlon straps. So, installing a Perlon strap is even easier. You
want to make sure the top of the buckle is facing the same direction as your watch dial. Slide the
end of the strap through the 12 o'clock spring bar, then pull it up and through the 6 o'clock
spring bar. That's all there is to it and now you're ready to enjoy this new Perlon strap look.
Now, gents, at this point you may be wondering what is the best type of watch strap. Should I
go metal? What about leather or what about fabric? What is the best option for me? Gentlemen, find
out by clicking on this video right here where I go over in detail each of the watch strap types
and which best is going to suit you. [0:06:02] End of audio