How To Change Your Metal Straps
While metal watch straps are more sturdy than leather watch straps, they will still show wear and tear after prolonged use. Wear and tear may ultimately need you to replace your watch straps. Another common reason for replacing your watch straps is updating the style and giving your watch a new look. You will need:
- A spring bar tool
- A microfiber cloth or another soft pad
- A replacement watch straps
Before anything else, find out what kind of fitment it has. Metal watch straps can be fastened with a spring bar and replaced in the same manner as leather or fabric straps. The first step is to establish which fitting the straps have by looking at the location where it is attached to the watch. Examine the lugs on either side of the point where the straps meet the watch carefully.
Steps 1
Remove the existing watch straps. Start by placing the watch on its side with the crown pointing up. One side of the straps should be facing you while you hold the watch case. Then, slip the forked end of your spring bar tool beneath the top lug. Push down and then to the side to free pop the spring bar when the point catches on. This may be a little tricky, depending on your watch case.
Steps 2
In this step, you can easily take the end of the watch straps out of the case after the spring bar, and the top of the straps are free. Remove the spring bar from the end of the watch straps before letting it hang free, and store it in the parts tray in case you need it later.
Steps 3
Turn the watch case so that your tools can reach the part of the watch straps that are still attached to the watch case. You want to carefully take your spring bar tool and repeat what you did previously. Slide the forked end under the case lug and press down and to the side to liberate the spring bar from the watch case.
Steps 4
To establish the size of your replacement straps, you must first measure the watch straps. You can choose the size and style of the watch straps after you know what size is required. Visit our watch straps page for a variety of possibilities.
Steps 5
You are almost ready to place the new watch straps onto the watch case. Take one side of the new watch straps and compare it to the old ones to see which side of the watch case it belongs to. Grab one of the spring bars and insert it into the first end of your new watch straps once you know where one side belongs. You can reuse the old spring bars in the new watch straps if they are in excellent condition.
Steps 6
Pick up the watch case and place it on its side with the crown pointing upwards. It should be positioned to get to the side of the straps where the first side belongs. Place the watch straps spring bar in the hole in the bottom lug. Make sure the finished side of your watch straps is facing the same direction as the watch face.
Steps 7
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 strap around in the lugs until the spring bar clicks into position. This will happen when the spring bar finds the hole in the watch lug. Don't worry if getting the spring bar in place takes a few tries.
Steps 8
Turn the watch case over to reach the other lugs and insert the second spring bar into the watch straps free end.
Steps 9
Place the end of the new watch straps between the watch lugs with the end of the spring bar in the hole in the bottom lug once the spring bar is in place. The finished side should already be facing the right way.
Steps 10
When it's in place, push the top half of the spring bar down with your spring bar tool to go under the top watch lug. Wiggle the watch straps around under the top lug until it slips into its hole in the lug, just like you did with the first side.
Finishing
Once both ends of the watch straps have been securely attached to the watch case, you are ready to wear your watch again with its brand new look.