How to change watch straps: The Classic Strap (Ep.1)
How to change watch straps: The Classic Strap (Ep.1)
You love wearing your brown leather watch strap and wouldn’t think of changing it you say? Well, I can give you several reasons why you should, and two of them being ultra-important ones. First, in order to preserve this favorite leather strap of yours, it’s inevitable that you give it a rest every so often. Second, whether you’re at work, at the beach, or at a black tie event, you’re going to need different straps to accommodate, and, for the lucky devils among us, different watches ((find out more here)).Logical right?
In this first episode, we’re going to show you how to change your classic 2-piece strap.
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Elements that you’ll need are:
-another strap
-a spring bar tool, and last but not least.
You do not, I repeat, you do not want to rush this.
Especially when you’re a beginner working on a vintage Rolex or some other timepiece you cherish. You’ll also want to place the watch on its back just in case your spring bar tool slips and scratches the case by accident. The mark won’t be visible in the back.
Removing a simple 2-piece strap
When changing a simple strap, you’ll need to remove the present one first by releasing the spring bars with your spring bar tool.
If the lugs are drilled…
Step 1: Poke the needle end of your tool through both sides to depress the spring bar.
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Step 2: Gently edging the strap out with your other hand. Be careful not to tug on the strap too hard as the tension will most likely send your spring bar flying off to oblivion.
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Step 3: Once both sides of the spring bar have been released, you may now remove the strap. Always in a calm and controlled manner.
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Step 4: Repeat the process with the other strap piece.
Ed.note: Unlike other watches with drilled lugs, to release a spring bar from Rolex watches, you’ll need to poke them at both both sides.
For watches with solid lugs…
Step 1: Insert the other end of your spring bar tool, the fork, delicately between the strap and the watch lug.
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Step 2: Nice and easy, search for the ridge on the spring bar that the fork can grip.
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Step 3: Gently apply pressure inwards towards the strap and away from the lug.
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Step 4: Once you feel that the spring bar has been depressed, slowly nudge it away from its hole. Be careful to do this slowly and accurately. You don’t want to scratch anything.
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Step 5: Repeat the process with the other piece.
Installing a classic 2-piece strap
Step 1: Slide your spring bars through the hole of the short and long pieces of the new strap. Position them so that they’re nice and centered on both pieces.
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Step 2: The short piece, the one with the buckle, goes on top of the watch. Insert one end of its spring bar into the hole on the inside of the lug.
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Step 3: With the forked end of your tool, push down ever so delicately on the spring bar so that it may be wedged into the hole of the other lug.
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Step 4: Make sure that the two ends of the spring bar are securely locked in place by a gentle pull-push movement on the strap.
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Step 5: Repeat the process with the long piece of the strap that should be inserted at the bottom of the watch.
The first few times changing a classic strap may prove to be tricky, but with a little patience and practice you’ll get the hang of it. Once you do, a world of possibilities will be at your fingertips. Go ahead, knock yourself out.
