How to Change Your Watch Strap at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide?
Got a new watch band but no time to go to the shop to get it replaced? Well, changing or replacing your old watch strap at home is pretty darn easy. All you need is the right tool to detach the spring bar from your watch case. Better yet, if you have a spring bar tool and a new watch strap, it’s needless to say.
Let’s dig deeper into how you can change watch strap at home:
Tools You’ll Need
Regardless of the type of wristwatch you wear, there is one thing that you cannot go without when it comes to replacing a watch band at home.
Better known as a spring bar tool, it is a small screwdriver with both ends working, one being a fork end and the other a tiny pin. Hence, the name Multitool. Used for detaching and installing spring bars on a watch case, you can use any similar device for the said purpose.
You might want to use a soft towel or microfibre cloth too, to protect the watch from any wear and tear while you are at it.
Also, make sure to have the right size of watch strap replacement to avoid any last-minute failure or disappointment.
Step-by-Step Guide to Remove the Old Strap
Step 1: Prepare a soft and scratch-proof surface.
Lay down a soft cloth or microfibre towel on a table or flat surface. (Make sure to have enough light.) Now, place the watch face down on the cloth to protect its glass or crystal.
Step 2: Remove the old strap.
Look for the spring bars on the sides of the watch case or where the strap meets the lugs.
Use the spring bar tool’s fork end to detach both spring bars from the lugs.
Step 3: Insert spring bars into the new strap.
Take out the spring bars from the old strap and insert them into the new one by sliding them into the holes on each end of the new strap.
Installing the New Watch Strap
Now, the final part!
This is where you install the new watch strap back into the lugs of your watch case.
To do that, you must place one end of the spring bar into the hole in the lug and compress the other end using the spring bar tool. Once both ends of the spring bar attach to the right place, they will give you a slight clicking sound. If not, just make sure to wiggle it a little to ensure that it’s properly fixed.
Do the same for the other side of the watch strap, and you’ll be good to go.
Tips for a Perfect Fit & Finish
A few tips that may come in handy during a DIY watch strap change are:
- Measure your watch lug width to get the right fit of the strap. (Common sizes include 18mm, 20mm, and 22mm).
- Clean up any dust or fingerprints using a soft cloth.
- Have an extra pair of spring bars.
- Try quick-release straps for easy replacement.
- Store your tools and spring bars for the future.
Conclusion
While learning how to replace a watch band is easy, without the right tools, it may get rather challenging, especially when handling the tiny spring bars.
Besides the right spring bar tool or a similar screwdriver, you may also want to have an extra pair of spring bars.
Using a soft cloth or a microfibre towel will help you protect your precious timepiece from any scratches or wear and tear during your watch strap replacement process.
On that note, have fun flexing your new watch band.
