Changing a watch strap takes your timepiece to a whole other level. Watch lovers have come to that singular realization of giving their fashion an upgrade. Most people might be rocking one watch all year round; this article will guide you on getting away easily with one versatile, flexible watch together with a full bunch of affordable straps.

All you need to know is to switch up straps perfectly. And, keep in mind that removing the watch strap involves the spring bars that set off the band pieces from your watch case. While at it, we will help you affix a different watch strap to give it a completely new personality, an essential skill.

Position your watch to face down.

First, you should unclasp the band from your wrist since it’s not done while still wearing it. Then, place it face-down, and the straps should lie on the sides of your watch case. It would be best if you placed the watch on a soft cloth on a flat surface like a countertop or a table to protect its face to avoid scratches on the glass.

Look for the spring bar.

After you get it to face down, keenly check on the spot that connects the band to the entire watch. The majority of watch wraps are connected using a spring bar. The spring bar is a telescoping and spring-loaded metal rod consisting of double-flanges on both ends. This spring bar is passed via a loop inside the watch wrap, and it perfectly fits into the indents on your watch’s shoulders.

Detach your spring bar.

To remove your watch wrap, you can easily detach the bar by depressing each end like springs. Suppose you release the pressure, the spring bar will extend at each end, then it snaps out of the watch lugs or shoulders, and you can now hold the band in place. You can either use a small flat screwdriver or something of the sort or make use of your hands.

Using the end of a wedge-shaped screwdriver, you can easily remove the bar fitted into your watch. You should position the screwdriver in a circular motion on the end of your spring bar and remember to keep it at 90 degrees as you push it inwards towards the middle of your spring bar.

However, you need to analyze the kind of watch strap that is fitted to the watch. Mostly, the modern straps come with a fast-release tab created in their design. In such cases, it’s located below the strap, close to your watch case. In such a case, press the small lever downwards, far from your nearest lug; it easily releases the watch band from the entire watch.

However, if the straps you are using don’t have the above feature, look for drilled lugs, the tiny holes machined into their lugs extending from the watch case. Here, make use of a sharp, narrow object to price your spring bar and remove the strap between the lugs. While at it, take caution that the resultant recoil doesn’t fire your bar across the room.

Affixing a Watch Strap

Now that everything is dismantled, it’s time to affix or replace the strap. However, you should first ensure to have the correct size. You could use the calipers to physically measure the space between the lugs or use a ruler or the lug width of the watch.

Typically, most watch wraps are designed with equal sizes; they commonly come in the option sizes of 18mm, 20mm, and 22mm, though some might differ. Therefore, while purchasing the spring bar and straps, look for one that matches the needed sizes.

Thread your spring bar via the new watchband.

 

When it comes to attaching the new band, the process is the same but in reverse. Carefully thread the bars via the watch hole at the top of every side of your watch band. While attaching, you can easily slide into your screw bar when it’s halfway through the first loop. Then pull the screw head backward to kick it out a little.

On the other lug, you can spot the screw bar end by turning your watch on the side and look straight down the lug side as you check on the lug bar poke via the watch strap. Using the soft cloth on your table, push the entire assembly downwards to force the lug bar inside the hole.

For the quick-release bars, use a lever to compress as you slot each bar into place at a time. First, slot your first side in the lug pinhole and use it as the pivot point. You can now maneuver the other lug end into place and ensure the bar clicks into its lug pinhole. You then give the strap a wiggle to make sure it’s in place.

Repeat the same on the other strap. Start by sliding the lower part of your spring bar into the tiny hole in your case lug, then push it down to slide the upper part inside the other hole. For certainty, listen keenly for a click sound to show that the spring bar is properly fixed in its lughole. Once done with both straps, check if they are well-positioned, and it’s unlikely to fall off.

Conclusion

All these tasks are worth it; remember that a watch will surely excite your personality as a paramount part of fashion. Changing the straps changes the monotony look and spices it up with different straps to pull a great look.

This guide has great tips for learning easy ways of changing a strap without using the spring bar tool. It’s a cost-effective approach to alter the accessories. In most instances, watch straps are relatively easy but can end up being awkward and a tricky job. However, once you master the above tips, you can easily match your outfits or replace the old straps with better-looking ones. 

The best is of course to use a spring bar tool, but if you are careful its possible in many other ways.