Whether your current watch band is worn out, or you would just like to give your watch
a new look, you can easily replace your leather watch band with this guide from Esslinger.com.
How do you know if your watch case does or does not have holes? Check the watch lugs,
the metal part that sticks out to hold the watch band. If it is smooth like this one,
it does not have holes and you should follow these steps to remove your watch band.
You will need: A spring bar tool
A replacement watch band A parts tray
And optionally: new spring bars
The first step in changing your watch band is to remove the existing watch band. Start
by holding the watch so that it is sitting on its side with the watch crown pointing
up.
Hold the watch case so one side of the band is facing you, take your spring bar tool and
slip the forked end under the top lug. When the point catches on the spring bar, push
down and then to the side to pop the spring bar free.
When the spring bar is free you can pull that end of the watch band out of the case. Take
out the spring bar and set it aside in the parts tray in case you can reuse it.
Set the first part of the watch band off to the side so you will remember which side of
the watch case it came from. By doing this, you will ensure that the clasp of your new
watch band will close the same way as the one on your original band.
Turn the watch case so that the half of the watch band that is still attached to the watch
case is accessible to your tools.
Take your spring bar tool and repeat what you did before. Move the forked end in under
the case lug and then push down and to the side to slide the spring bar free of the watch
case.
Remove the second half of the watch band from the watch case and take the spring bar out
of the band. Set the spring bar in your parts tray.
Then lay the second half of the watch band aside on the other side of the watch case
like you did with the first one.
Next you need to measure the watch band to determine the size of your replacement band.
For help doing this, follow this link.
Now that you have the size of the watch band needed, you can choose a size and style that
you prefer. For lots of watch band options, visit our watch band page at Esslinger.com.
You can now place the new watch band onto the watch case. If the spring bars from your
old watch band are in good shape, you can use them with your new band. Damaged spring
bars look like this.
Insert your spring bars into the holes at the ends of the leather watch band.
Then take one side of the new watch band and determine which side of the watch case it
belongs on from the old band.
Once you know where the first half of your watch band belongs, pick up the watch case
and hold it on its side again with the crown pointing to the ceiling. It should be positioned
so you can access the side where the first half of the band belongs.
Position the spring bar of the watch band in the indent in the bottom lug. Be sure that
your watch band's finished side is facing the same direction as the watch face.
Take the forked end of the spring bar tool and position it so that you can push one of
the spring ends of the spring bar down so it fits under the lug.
Carefully move the watch band around in the lugs until you feel the spring bar pop into
place. This will happen when the spring bar finds the indentation on the underside of
the watch lug. Don't worry if it takes you several tries to get the spring bar in position.
Now, turn the watch case so that you can access the other set of lugs and pick up the other
half of the watch band.
Position the other half of the new watch band so the finished side faces the same way as
the watch crystal and place the spring bar in the indent for it in the bottom lug.
When it is place, use your spring bar tool to push the top part of the spring bar down
so it can slide under the top watch lug.
Just like you did with the first half, wiggle the watch band around under the top lug until
it slips into place in its indentation.
Once both halves of the watch band are securely attached to the watch case, you are ready
to wear your watch again with its brand new look.
For more information on how to complete watch repairs on your own, visit our Learning Center
at Esslinger.com.