You can enhance the look of your watch if you know how to change the strap. Usually, the band can be changed easily, but for some watches this can be difficult. As you get better at it, you can match the strap to your outfit, or replace an old band with a new one.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Removing the Leather Watch Strap
Step 1. Place the watch face down
The first thing to do is to remove the watch and place it face down on a cloth or towel. Make sure you place your watch on a surface that protects your watch and doesn't scratch the glass. Then, place this cloth on a flat surface, such as a table or kitchen table.
Step 2. Find the spring bar
If the watch has been placed face down, look carefully at the attachment area where the band is attached to the watch body. Most watches are connected by spring blades, which pass through the hole at the end of the band and into two opposite holes on the shoulder of the watch body.
- Spring blades are small metal rods that can be squeezed at each end, much like a spring.
- When not pressed each end of the blade will lengthen.
- When extended, each end of the spring blade will go into the hole in the shoulder of the watch case and attach it to the watch band.
Step 3. Remove the spring blade
You will need to remove the spring blades to be able to dislodge the band. To do so, you need a special tool called spring bar tool. If you don't have one, try using a flat head screwdriver, or similar tool. You may also be able to remove it without tools, but that's hard to do.
- If you have a spring bar tool, insert the forked end between the band and its connection to the shoulder. You can squeeze the spring blades at both ends.
- Then, gently press the tool so that it is gently pushed away from the watch. The spring blade should now have shortened from the pressure and the connection between the strap and the watch body has loosened.
- You can replicate this method with other small tools that are just the right size, but be careful not to scratch or damage the band and case.
- If you don't have this special tool, try using a paperclip to squeeze one end of the spring blade, and gently remove the band from the watch body.
Step 4. Remove the spring blade from the band
Once you have removed the band from the watch body, remove the spring blades from the holes in the band. Do this for each watch strap. Do not let these two blades disappear because they will be used to attach a new watch band.
Method 2 of 4: Attaching a New Leather Strap
Step 1. Insert the spring blade through the new band
To attach a new watch strap to the body, you basically reverse the above process. Start by carefully threading the spring blades through the holes at the ends of each side of the band.
Your new band may already have spring blades on it, but make sure it fits snugly on the watch body
Step 2. Insert the lower end of one of the spring blades into the hole in the watch shoulder
Grasp one of the bands, and gently insert the bottom of the spring blade into the shoulder hole of the watch. You put the spring blades back in place before removing the old band.
- When the lower end of the spring blade is in the hole, gently press the blade down so that the top of the blade can slide into the opposite side of the shoulder hole.
- It will be easier if you use a tool to squeeze the spring blades when they are inserted into the shoulder holes.
Step 3. Repeat on the other band
You just need to repeat the previous process to attach the final band. Start by inserting the bottom of the spring blade in the shoulder hole of the watch, then press down and slide the top of the spring blade into the hole opposite it.
- Listen for a click, indicating that the spring blades are firmly seated in the shoulder holes of the watch.
- When both straps are attached, check for tightness to make sure they don't come loose and fall off.
Step 4. Visit an expert or watch shop
If you have trouble fitting the band, or the results are not satisfactory, we recommend that you use the services of a professional. Watch experts have the tools you need to fasten your band. If you buy a new watch, sometimes watch experts will change the band for free
Method 3 of 4: Removing the Metal Watch Strap
Step 1. Determine the type of fitting the watch has
If you have a metal watch, the band may be attached using spring blades so that it releases in the same way as a leather or cloth watch strap. First, you need to check the connection points between the strap and the watch body to determine what type of fitting the watch has.
- If there is a small hole on the outside of the shoulder, it means that the band is attached using a small screw through this hole.
- If there are no holes on the outside of the shoulder, it means that the strap is attached to the spring blade.
- Now, check to see if there is an end cap on the strap attached to the watch body.
- The end cap is the part at the end of the band that protrudes like a wing. If the band doesn't seem to have a flat end, it means it has an end cap.
Step 2. Remove the watch strap with screws
Once it is confirmed that the strap is attached with screws, prepare a small screwdriver or other similar tool to remove and replace the band. You can use a flat tip watchmaker screwdriver to remove the screws. This job is quite difficult and requires painstaking hands. Insert the tip of the screwdriver into the hole on the outside of the clock shoulder until it fits snugly against the screw head, then turn it counterclockwise until the screw pops out of the hole.
- Once the screws have been removed, carefully remove the spring blades.
- You may need to push the spring blade out of the hole on the outside of the watch's shoulder so it's best to remove the screw on the opposite side first.
- Non-magnetic tongs are also ideal for this step.
- Make sure you save all the components properly when you're done.
Step 3. Remove the band that has the end cap
Bands that have end caps are usually connected to the watch body using spring blades, and without screws. To see if a band has an end cap, look at the distance between the opposite holes on the inside of the shoulder. If it looks like the band is running down the body and has no gaps, it probably has end caps. When in doubt, turn your watch over and look behind you. Watches with end caps will have a metal part at the end of the band. This metal has two parts that stick out so that it looks like wings that extend to either side of the band.
- To remove the band, you need to remove the spring blade from the hole in the shoulder just like any other watch band with spring blades.
- However, for bands with end caps, this cap will fall off after the spring blade is released. In this type of watch, the spring blade acts to connect the stamp to the band and watch body.
- Repeat this step for each side of the band, making sure there are no missing pieces.
Step 4. Remove the band with the spring blade
Metal bands that have flat ends without end caps can be removed more easily and simply. If there are no screws on the shoulder and the band is connected using spring blades, use the same method with leather or cloth bands.
- Insert the spring bar tool or other similar tool into the point where the band joins the watch shoulder, and carefully remove the spring bar.
- Release the pressure to bring up the spring blade and remove it from the hole in the watch shoulder.
- Repeat this step for both sides of the clock, making sure not to lose all the pieces.
Method 4 of 4: Attaching a New Metal Watch Strap
Step 1. Attach the watch strap using screws
Make sure that the new band is the right size and that it is attached in the same way as the old band. To attach a new band, align it with each hole in the shoulder, and carefully insert the screw blade into the hole in the shoulder and through the end of the band. Hold this position trying to keep the blade and band straight with the hole in the shoulder of the watch. Then, take a screw and carefully position it in one of the holes in the watch shoulder. Turn it slowly clockwise a few times.
- Then insert the second screw in the other clock shoulder hole.
- Secure the first screw with another screwdriver or screwdriver block.
- Then, tighten the second screw until it can no longer be turned. If so, tighten the first screw.
- It's also a good idea to consider replacing the screws as they may wear out over time.
Step 2. Attach a new band with end caps
If you're pairing a new band with a watch that has an end cap, it's a good idea to make sure the new band fits into the old end cap. First, attach the new strap to the end cap by slipping the spring blade into the end cap. Then, position it so that it is between the holes of the watch's shoulder, while pressing the bottom of the spring blade against the bottom hole of the shoulder. Release the pressure on the spring blade, and you should be able to hear a click after sliding it around a bit, indicating that the blade has entered the top shoulder hole.
- This job is quite difficult to do, and if you're having trouble it's a good idea to visit a watch shop.
- Straps with end caps are different sizes than flat-tipped bands, so it's best to check with a watchmaker or gemologist to make sure the new band will fit on the old watch.
Step 3. Attach the new spring bladed strap
Installation of a spring bladed rope is quite simple. Make sure all parts are complete and the size of the band fits the watch body. Insert the spring blade into the hole at the end of the band and position it against the watch body. Press one end of the spring blade and slide it between the eyelets of the watch shoulder.
- When one end of the spring blade is in, press the other end and tuck it into the shoulder hole on the opposite side.
- Listen for a click that indicates the spring blade has entered the hole in the shoulder of the watch.
Tips
- Use the right tools and equipment to prevent scratching the face when changing bands.
- Use the correct size spring blade to attach the band you want to wear. If it's not the right size, the strap will feel loose and won't work properly.
